Jet Black Heart, BrewDog
BrewDog. The self proclaimed punks of the brewing world. Two Scottish laddies, and their dog, started brewing in 2007. Hand bottling, selling out of the back of a battered van, hard graft for craft eh?
Now its 2017, BrewDog are HUGE. Bars opening across the UK, across Europe, across the pond! In a recent article it was revealed that a beer themed hotel was in the pipe line. With a beer tap in every room! A beer tap…IN YOUR ROOM!
I’d stay there.
They’re doing pretty well. So that means their beer must be pretty good, right?
Here at Beer Swillers, we can only dream in matching the big dogs successes. For now, lets just drink one in.
Brewery: BrewDog
Brew: Jet Black Heart
Type: Oatmeal Milk Stout
ABV: 4.7%
Price: £1.75 (330ml bottle, Tesco)
This opaque liquid, one of the headliners of BrewDogs’ range, is the smooth, malty beer of the family. It’s their Milk Stout, it’s the one, the only…Jet Black Heart. “Beer as beer should be”. Reassuring. The rest of the bottles description paints a picture of Autumn fruits hidden deep under cacao, within a heavy ebony colour.
Running like black velvet, settling from dark clouds, a mysterious body forms in your glass with a thick, fluffy porridge coloured head. To paraphrase Goldilocks, this one looks just right.
The smell is firmly what you expect from a stout. It’s deep with every malty aspect coming through, but has a sweeter edge than other stouts.
Strong black coffee with a cocoa undertone, complimented by the backing of toffee and little bit of vanilla in the aftertaste. While heavy, it’s smooth, it’s like drinking cream. I was expecting more of a porridgy, oaty taste, a bit more highland wilderness than lowland pastures. I’m not disappointed, there is enough going on to keep anyone enticed by the medley that happens with every sup. I'm not sure what happened to these autumn fruits that were mentioned, but they weren't missed.
Flavour is not lacking.
Drink slowly to appreciate. Not that you'll want to drink it quickly. As it flows down your throat there is a kick like that you receive from coffee, but if you were restless before popping the cap, you would soon settle after a few gulps.
There not much to dislike. While I don't think it would be categorised as a "punk" brew, more "gentile Celt", and it's not as scary as the name suggests, it's well crafted. If you aren't a fan of stout usually and favour the lighter, more floral brews, man up and give this one a go. I'm not saying you're taste is wrong, it just needs expanding.
To summarise, Jet Black Heart is a strong, bold brew with a creamy base. A good solid stout.
Pair it with oats and wheat, would it make a good breakfast? Doubt a Scotsman (or a certain reviewer) would complain. Would it replace porridge? Maybe. As tempting as it might be to try it, would you have a problem if you actually started having this for breakfast? You bet!
Rating- Half an oink short of a squeal. (4.5/5)
