Citron Noir by Urban Family

11895032_10102786498556520_5012845329816173286_oRating: 4.85/5

Citron Noir by Urban Family is a 6.8% ABV Dark Farmhouse Ale brewed with Black Lemons.

Label:
Ingredients: Hallertau hops, malted barley, Seattle water, farmhouse yeast blend.

Notes: Toasted bread and chocolate married with tart black lemons, finishing with an expressive yeast.

Drink: Drink Fresh.

Store: Cool & Upright.
==Introduction==

The second time I try an Urban Family beer and one I could not get if it was not thanks to the almighty and good friend Aaron who rules the beer underworld of Texas with a might of pen and ink in with every Metal post via beermetaldude.com. You should probably stop reading this and go check out his site first then come back for a while. We will still be here. Today Aaron brings me a unique beer, of which is from Seattle Washington but still something we do not get here in California. This beer is made with Black Lemons, a souring spice of the middle east composing of dried up limes. Yes, very unique indeed! The best part about our hobby, we try many awesome brews that are very uncommon sometimes, like the time we tried a beer with 99 Scorpions! Yes, that actually happened! Anyways, Special thanks to Aaron and Urban family for making another beer. Loved the Death to Cereal/Count Chocula. Cheers!

Aromas:
Citrus, oranges, Dark fruit, figs, plum, raisins, cherry, dulce de leche caramel, rock candy, lemon candy, banana, clove spice, bubble gum, leather, tobacco, licorice, stone fruit apricots, peaches, apples, Tart lemons, tangerine, lemon zest, lemon peel, lemon merengue pie, marshmallows, molasses, star anise, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, rye bread, peppercorn and farmhouse hay.

Flavors:
Citrus, oranges, Black Lemons (dried up dark lemon spice), Tart lemons, tangerine, lemon zest, lemon peel, lemon merengue pie, marshmallows, molasses, star anise, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, rye bread, peppercorn, farmhouse hay, smokey notes, Dark fruit, figs, plum, raisins, cherry, dulce de leche caramel, rock candy, lemon candy, banana, clove spice, bubble gum, leather, tobacco, licorice, stone fruit apricots, peaches, apples, brown sugar, cane sugar and cinnamon.

Aftertaste:
Lemon, chocolate, dark fruits, sharp earthy, piney, circuitry and herbal hops, caramel, vanilla, anise, banana and clove spice finish. No alcohol in the taste, Crimson dark full body, smooth, creamy and foamy mouthfeel along with an easy to moderate drinkability.

Overall:
Almost like a Black IPA meets a Belgian Dark Strong. This delicious beers was something very different. A lemony and citrusy dark candy dessert essentially. Since I have never hear of Black Lemons, I can only assume what I tasted with the sweet, spicy and mild tartness may have been from the addition of this type of spice. Either way, a very delicious brew I would definitely love to try again and a special thanks to Aaron for providing this one to me. Cheers!

Anime Corner:
Seras Victoria from Hellsing was used in this pairing for two reasons. Darkness and the color of lemons. Essentially, Seras fits both of those criteria. Her outfit also matches with the complex flavors of the beers but also its drinkability. Her appearance while looking evil as many people would find dark beers to be as perception states maybe too strong, you will find she is kind and warm to you but evil on that thirst that bug ya. Cheers for Seras!

Sources:
http://static.skynetblogs.be/media/37519/b7de2af2fb47cf78c5c4d99f0ce36a19-thumb.jpg

Three-Eyed Raven by Game of Thrones and Ommegang

10459099_10102512434063960_6015894703349476019_o 10985039_10102512434992100_1515954435239626769_nRating: 4.75/5

Three-Eyed Raven by Game of Thrones and Ommegang is a 7.2% ABV Dark Saison/Farmhouse Ale.

Label:
FROM THE DARKNESS I WATCH YOU. ALL OF YOU, ALL OF YOUR LIVES, WITH A THOUSAND EYES, AND ONE. ABIDING IN THE SHADOWS OF THIS DARK SAISON LIE BEGUILING AND ENTRANCING AROMAS AND FLAVORS – GIRDED BY CRISP, LASTING HERBAL HOP NOTES, AND A YEASTY, SPICY FINISH. POUR SLOWLY, TO NOT DISTURB YEAST SEDIMENT, BUT WITH VIGOR TO MAKE A LUXURIOUS HEAD AND FREE BOUQUET.

==Introduction==

Obtained this one at the local Total Wine and More by my work place. This is the 5th beer in the line of Game of Thrones beers brewed by Ommegang for the fans of the show. Personally I have not seen the show and need to find some time to do so as I do find plenty of time to drink and review some of these specials beers after all. This one is a Dark Saison or Farmhouse Ale. The only thing that I have had close to a dark saison could be what is the Folklore Belgian Stout from Stillwater Artisanal but that is not true as those are also more complex and roasty. A dark saison seems like something very unique. Well, since I have never had a dark saison, let us see how close to a regular saison it is.

Aromas:
Phenolic bananas and biscuit notes, clove and peppercorn spices, Dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, cherry, grapes, rock candy, candi sugar, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, pecan pie, roasted barley, coffee cake hints, brown sugar, dark chocolate, farmhouse notes and stone fruit hints.

Flavors:
Dark fruit raisins, plums, figs, cherry, grapes, banana, clove spices, peppercorns, Lavender, farmhouse hay, dark chocolate, vanilla, dulce de leche caramel, pecan pie, roasted barley, spicy hops, Stone fruit peaches, apricots, Belgian candi sugar, brown sugar and rock candy and port wine hints.

Aftertaste:
Peppercorns, clove spice, dark chocolate, dark fruits, lavender, farmhouse hay and caramel. No alcohol in the taste, moderate drinkability, creamy and full mouthfeel and a thick dark crimson body.

Overall:
A very good Saison which actually borderlines a Dark Belgian Ale. Somehow it keeps of those saison characteristics but brings in some of the awesome Banana, dark fruit, caramel and phenolic flavors typically found in quads, Belgian Dark ales or even some Belgians Stouts. I truly think of all the 5 in the Game of throne series beers by Ommegang, this one is possibly my favorite. I would definitely recommend it if you love Belgian ales. Cheers!

Anime Corner:
Raven from Teen Titans was used in this pairing as I wanted to find a character from anime, or in this case comics, that would pair with the way the Three-Eyed Raven looks in the show. Always in darkness and in cloak. The most obvious was Raven from the Teen Titans as she has those looks and also the 3 eyed part can be seen as she has her regular 2 eyes and the red jewel on her forehead used as a bindi which can be seen as the Ajna Chakra or Third-Eye Chakra. The colors she wears also pairs with the colors of the different dark fruits that can be found in this beer and the complex aspect of the beer is the complex aspect of her character.

Sources:
http://sakimichan.deviantart.com/art/Raven-Teen-Titan-511165333
http://yuumei.deviantart.com/art/Teen-Titans-Raven-Commission-148931734