Name – Stone/21st Amendment/Firestone Walker El Camino (Un)Real Black Ale
Country – United States
Type – American Strong Ale

Appearance – Poured pretty much jet black with a small light brown head that was gone pretty quickly.

Smell – A little roasted malts and quite earthy hops.  There is a smell I can’t quit place.

Taste – It has a hop presence up front but then gets quite complex.  You have roasted malts with a bit of smokiness to it.  Then there is an almost soy sauce like taste to me.  And it finishes with a bit more hops and this spice taste that I can’t place.  Maybe it’s the fennel used in it but I have no clue what that smells or tastes like.

Another of my mail ordered beers from the west coast.  I really decided to have this last night after reading Mike’s review at Thank Heaven for Beer yesterday.  This is a very complex beer from three big California brewers.  I definitely can’t think of anything I’ve ever had like it before.  I was quite enjoyable as I sipped it while watching Parenthood on demand.  Great combo there.  I probably won’t buy another at $5 was a bit much for a 12 oz bottle especially one that I had to have shipped here as it isn’t available in these parts.  But if you can easily get a hold of one or just want to order it then I do say to do it.

Overall Grade – B+