Dogfish Head Black and Blue 2012

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery’s Black & Blue is a golden fruit beer, a Belgian style ale made with over 300 pounds of fresh blackberries and blueberries. With 10.00% ABV and 30 IBUs, this bruiser is brewed with bitter Hallertau and Saaz hops to balance out the fruits, soft malts for depth, and then fermented with Belgian yeast for a characteristically dry spicy finish (the yeast strain used also adds to the higher alcohol content, as it feeds on sugar from the berries). Black & Blue pours out a pale pink with active carbonation and a short white head. The nose is like a sparkling cider: blueberries, blackberries, and a pleasant mustiness underneath, and no sign of the alcohol. The carbonation is very lively, and the mouthfeel is light and perky. The primary taste is of sweet berries, backed by gentle roasted malts and bitter hops. Enjoy Black & Blue in a pint glass, mug, or stein, at 40-45 degrees F.