Black Hole Ale
Review Date 8/5/2005
Try?
Re-buy?
First, the
science lesson. You had to know that was coming with a beer named Black
Hole, didn’t you? Our sun is a star. Stars are an amazing balance of
gravity and energy: they derive their energy from the force of nuclear
fusion, and only the incredible gravity generated by their considerable mass
and density hold them together and make the whole thing work.
Eventually, stars burn up most of their fuel, and when the really big ones do, they can collapse into a black hole. All of that mass basically is compressed into a tiny sphere, a single teaspoonful of which weighs more than the entire planet Earth.
All this sounds like something out of a Douglas Adams novel, you say. But I tell you its true. That said, I can assure you that Arthur Dent would probably love a glass of Black Hole Ale, the beer that sucks in your taste buds (my line, but you can use it, Weyerbacher).
Extra credit if you guessed that Black Hole is a dark beer. I’ve heard it called a porter, and I guess that’s pretty close to the mark, though it has the characteristics of a Yorkshire ale as well. I saw it with several other Weyerbacher beers in Massachusetts, which for some reason were outrageously priced. This one was a reasonable $4.50 for a 750ml bottle.
Weyerbacher, based in Pennsylvania, has never disappointed me, and I’m a big fan. I would like to see their beers offered on a regular basis here in Atlanta (and I’m sure in time they will be.) That being the case, I can’t wait any longer: I’m pouring myself a glass of Black Hole.
Weyerbacher Black Hole pours to a jet black color with a small creamy tan head and a creamy chocolate nose. A good amount of Brussels lace clings to the side of the glass (or would that be the event horizon?).
The palate is medium in body with a touch of sourness, pronounced bittersweet dark chocolate notes, toffee, brown sugar, plum pudding, espresso, and fruity hints of prune and raisin. All these combine to call to mind a tasty Yorkshire ale ala Old Peculier.
The beer finishes very dry, with just the right amount of hop bitterness and some roasted barley notes.
Weyerbacher calls this “a new dimension in beer”. But really, we’ve been here before, though that’s not a bad thing. This is a great sipping ale, but the dark chocolaty flavors would make it a fine accompaniment to chocolate desserts as well.
Eventually, stars burn up most of their fuel, and when the really big ones do, they can collapse into a black hole. All of that mass basically is compressed into a tiny sphere, a single teaspoonful of which weighs more than the entire planet Earth.
All this sounds like something out of a Douglas Adams novel, you say. But I tell you its true. That said, I can assure you that Arthur Dent would probably love a glass of Black Hole Ale, the beer that sucks in your taste buds (my line, but you can use it, Weyerbacher).
Extra credit if you guessed that Black Hole is a dark beer. I’ve heard it called a porter, and I guess that’s pretty close to the mark, though it has the characteristics of a Yorkshire ale as well. I saw it with several other Weyerbacher beers in Massachusetts, which for some reason were outrageously priced. This one was a reasonable $4.50 for a 750ml bottle.
Weyerbacher, based in Pennsylvania, has never disappointed me, and I’m a big fan. I would like to see their beers offered on a regular basis here in Atlanta (and I’m sure in time they will be.) That being the case, I can’t wait any longer: I’m pouring myself a glass of Black Hole.
Weyerbacher Black Hole pours to a jet black color with a small creamy tan head and a creamy chocolate nose. A good amount of Brussels lace clings to the side of the glass (or would that be the event horizon?).
The palate is medium in body with a touch of sourness, pronounced bittersweet dark chocolate notes, toffee, brown sugar, plum pudding, espresso, and fruity hints of prune and raisin. All these combine to call to mind a tasty Yorkshire ale ala Old Peculier.
The beer finishes very dry, with just the right amount of hop bitterness and some roasted barley notes.
Weyerbacher calls this “a new dimension in beer”. But really, we’ve been here before, though that’s not a bad thing. This is a great sipping ale, but the dark chocolaty flavors would make it a fine accompaniment to chocolate desserts as well.
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
(G)=Growler
