In a blind tasting by BJCP trained experts, this beer rated
89
New Belgium Brewing 1554
Aroma: “Roast, toasted bread, biscuit, slight burnt caramel-malt aromas. Very subtle noble-hops aromas. Some woody and spicy hops are in the background with light fruit esters.”
Flavor: “Sweet melanoidin malt character up front, middle roast notes. Decent amount of body to support the flavors. Slight floral and soapy noble-hops flavors. Sweet dark bready malt, toffee, and coffee.”
Overall: “Nice well-balanced dark bready malt complexity. Super-clean and drinkable lager. Enough pronounced roasted malt for the malt lover and a clean easy drinkability for the lager lover.”