Archive for the 'Black & Tan' category
McSorley’s Black & Tan
I learned that the McSorley’s Dark (so called if one is placing an order at the bar) is actually half lager, half stout. This recipe is essentially the same one that’s been used for over 150 years – except for a stint in the 1970s or 1980s when something like a double porter was used.
The Darks also receive a generous head from the bartenders which seems to last forever. The brews are ordered two at a time in half-sized mugs, and by the time I got around to drinking the second mug there was still a good half inch of froth left. There’s an almost floral bouquet to the Dark and even though this isn’t the kind of place one swirls and sniffs one’s beer, the act is hard to resist. The flavor of this brew is much more complex than I expected. There’s a layer of sweet, slightly bitter fruit flavors, something like currants. Under the lagerish twang, though, there are gentle woodsy, smoky undertones. The taste comes together quite well and has almost a peaty finish. This is a very smooth quaff and really quite enjoyable.
There’s a vivid freshness to this beer that I’m told doesn’t exist in the bottles (or even other taprooms). I guess if a bar only serves two kinds of drinks the kegs get kicked so frequently that there’s little opportunity for the beer to just sit around and rest for very long. The tap lines at McSorley’s are cleaned twice a week, ensuring the freshest taste possible. Perhaps the prohibition-era basement brewing operation yielded a fresher taste, but I’m not in the business of saying anything positive about prohibition.
Author: Jay
Categories: Beer Reviews, Black & Tan, McSorley's, Pabst
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