Style: Lager (Smoked)

ABV: 7.0 IBU: 38.0

89/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	17
Mouthfeel:	4

Aurora Ale & Lager Dark Ascent

What the brewers say

Imperial black lager. We utilized a hint of German smoked malt for a subtle smokey layer, then added maple syrup in the secondary.

What our panel thought

Aroma offers heady mix of cocoa, mocha, caramel, coconut, and big maple syrup. On the palate, mocha offers more support to the maple. Pleasant notes of fig, dried cherry, raisin. A bit acrid on the finish, like darkest chocolate with campfire smoke.

What our editors thought

Inky nose with layers of licorice, smoke, maple syrup, roast malt. The sip leads with bitter dark malt, buffered by sweet maple syrup. It’s not pastry, but it’s not subtle. Hovers in a middle ground of unresolved tension.

Review printed in: The Rebirth of Cool: Inside the Lager Evolution (June-July 2021) (View All Issues)

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