Appearance

Upon pouring, there’s no question the Black House from Modern Times is a stout. The color is an appropriately dark black, with a good amount of carbonation and head.

Aroma

The aroma on the Black House is coffee, rich chocolate and a roasted malt that doesn’t take over the entire aroma profile.

Flavor

Each sip brings a fruitiness with coffee up front, followed by what tastes like milk lactose, ending with a more intense bitter coffee note at the end.

Balance

The balance on the Black House is very good. The fruit and coffee notes transition seamlessly into the sweetness and then again transition into the coffee bitterness.

Finish

Every sip finishes with an intense, bitter coffee note that lingers like a fresh espresso shot. As the beer warms up, I get chocolate mixing in with the espresso.

Overall

The Modern Times Black House was an enjoyable coffee stout. Some time ago I went on a rant about brewers not using Ethiopian or other coffee types that have a prominent fruity note. The use of 75% Ethiopian and 25% Sumatran gives it a coffee profile that stands out from the average coffee stout on the market, at an ABV that isn’t overpowering.

John McTavish

SCORE

7.17

Cost/Point

$0.56

Scoring System

Personal Beer Review: Modern Times Black House