Look what I found! I love it when that happens. Rummaging through DBR Prime, my oldest of three beer Dedicated Beer Refrigerators, I found a can of Champion Black Me Stout, a collaboration with the band Against Me! Now, I’m not really sure what the band does for the beer, other than lend its name so fans will just have to go out and buy some.
Anyway, the amazing thing was the beer was stamped with a canned on date of 11/12/14, so it had clearly been sitting in my fridge for a while. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but with a stout, I wasn’t overly concerned. Champion beers are not sold in Georgia, and I am pretty sure I got this one from Chuck Triplett.
From the label:
This smooth, full-bodied nectar is a middle ground between a dry stout and an imperial stout. Made with wheat and chocolate malt for low bitterness and round mouthfeel.
Champion Black Me Stout has an alcohol content of 6% by volume with 45 IBUs.
Champion Black Me Stout pours to a jet-black color with a thick creamy tan head and a soft chocolate and licorice nose. Taking a sip, the beer is slightly thin in body but quite roasty indeed with lovely hints of chocolate and licorice. It finishes dry roasty and more-ish. Perhaps the subtlest hint of dark fruity prune from the age, but the licorice is really popping!
A few years of age have not hurt this one at all, folks. If they ever roll it out again (it’s not on the Champion list of beers currently featured on their website) I would love to try it again, a little younger this time.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft