Name: Ebony Shade
Brewer: The Marc’s & Tony Brewing Co. (Philippines)
Style: Irish Extra Stout
ABV: 5.5%
Review Year: 2021
Ebony Shade, an “Irish Dry Stout” is one of the two latest dark beers from Tony Sindayen of The Marc’s & Tony Brewing Co. (Philippines) released just in time for the cold rainy evenings.
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as an Irish Extra Stout (15C) in the context of the 2015 Beer Style Guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
Opaque deep brown with a medium tan head. Ebony Shade opened up with moderately high dark chocolate and dark roasty coffee aromas that were supported by medium-low vanilla and biscuit as well as subtle cacao nib impressions. Medium-full-bodied; moderate carbonation, smooth with no astringency. A similar tandem of dark roasty coffee and malt flavors was noted up front with secondary flavors of biscuit and earthiness noted at low levels. Between the bitterness (moderately high) and residual sweetness (low to none), the former was favored as it complemented the dark and roasty flavors of this beer. The aftertaste lingered quickly as it followed up with roasty coffee, cacao nibs, and low fruity flavors.
THE VERDICT
Benchmarked as an Irish Extra Stout, Ebony Shade is a showcase of roasty dark chocolate and coffee characteristics with complementing biscuity and vanilla-like accents. The aroma and flavor are strong points of this beer, while the dryness (very low to no sweetness) seemed to have enhanced the drinkability of this beer. In fact, Ebony Shade is a far cry from a heavy sipping beer such as an Imperial Stout despite being a dark and roasty beer. The appearance could still be darker, while the mouthfeel could have slight creaminess. However, these are just minor things we have noted and should not hinder the drinkers from enjoying this already excellent beer. Let Ebony Shade keep you company on a cold rainy evening.
Related Reviews:
The Marc’s & Tony Brewing Co.
Beers From the Philippines
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