Rating: 6/6

My Black Parade (Mi Desfile Negro) by The Lost Abbey brewing is a 12.5% ABV American Strong ale brewed with Cocoa Nibs, Vanilla Beans, Chilies, Cardamom and Cinnamon aged in Bourbon Oak barrels.

Label:
No one knew her actual name, Though to most she was simply Madame Marigold-Princess of The Black Parade. Each November 1st she led a procession through the town square to a makeshift altar at an unmarked grave.

Year after year, the processions grew larger and the celebrations more elaborate. Patiently she waited for him always. Yet, he never arrived.

Then one year, she too was gone. Her legacy endures as The Black Parade marches on despite her absence. Each fall, the entire village celebrates the lives of all the departed including Madame Marigold and her anonymous lover.
==Introduction==

Hoy es dia de los muertos (Today is day of the dead) and we celebrate the departed loved ones from friends to family. A time in Mexican culture many come together
Producing only 60 cases, this beer is essentially Bourbon Barrel Angel Share with delicious Mexican spices and ingredients mimicking dessert drinks like Mexican Hot chocolate. This beer was released by the Lost Abbey to be purchased and obtained at their location. Which meant only one thing, road trip! I had to basically go on a long journey to visit one of my favorite breweries for a second time to get this. That and also, make it through the small time frame to purchase it. If you would like to get your hands on this Dia de los Muertos beauty, you will have to trade for it or try to find it online. Will it actually be worth the time spent driving or your time and money? Well, let’s take a look at this cerveza muerta. Salud!

Aromas:
Port wine notes, cajeta envinada/ wine goat’s milk caramel, Chocolate abuelita, milk chocolate, Oak, Bourbon, vanilla, marshmallows, cinnamon, cardamom, oak, champurrado, Bourbon, vanilla, rich toasted coconut, dark fruit raisins, dark cherries, currants, Danish cream, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, fruit cake hints, spicy chile hintslike ancho and guajillo, banana, brown sugar hints and champurrado.

Flavors:
Dark Chocolate, Chocolate abuelita, milk chocolate, Oak, Bourbon, vanilla, rich toasted coconut, flan, sweetened condensed milk hints, jericalla Mexican custard, marshmallows, cinnamon, cardamom, champurrado, dark fruit raisins, dark cherries, currants, black berries, slight hints of spicy chiles like ancho and guajillo, dulce de leche caramel, cajeta envinada/ wine goat’s milk caramel, port wine, mezcal, Khalua liquor, Danish cream, pecan pie, hazelnut nectar, fruit cake hints, molasses, anise, candy sugar, banana hints, champurrado, capirotada raisin bread pudding, earthy notes and three milks/ tres leches cake.

Aftertaste:
Mild chile spices linger after, Chocolate Abuelita, oak, bourbon, vanilla, flan, marshmallows, toasted coconut, port wine, earthy notes, dark fruit, danish cream and spicy notes. Slight booziness in the after taste but not detracting from the flavors. Pitch black and crimson full body, creamy, smooth, velvety and buttery mouthfeel with a sipping drinkability.

Overall:
An exceptional perfection no less but before I put it in the utmost bucket list, I think it needs a whole year, 2 or even 4 years to age to perfection. This reminded me so much of the Bourbon Barrel Aged Dark Lord De Muerte. The chilies do linger a bit but are mainly covered by the sweetness of it all. The Lost Abbey’s attempt at it certainly brings about the Belgian as well the deliciousness that is found in some Mexican traditional hot drinks like Chocolate Abuelita. Would it be worth seeking out? Ahuevo! (Fuck Yeah!) especially if you like Bourbon Barrel aged beers with a slight Belgian inspiration.

Anime Corner:
Ryuko Matoi from Kill La Kill and original bride character were used in this pairing to pair with la novia muerta de la boda del desfile negro (The dead bride of the wedding for the black parade). The colors she has as well as her wedding dress pairs well with the label and the colors. The aspect of death and the story of where the bride waits for her beloved to return is represented as the original character holds up the head of her beloved. Pretty tragic love story like that of El Muelle de San Blas by Mana. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teprNzF6J1I) For Ryuko though, I would say her loss of Senketsu would be something similar in the story of this beer. However, she is truly not alone as she always has Senketsu with her, she has her family and friends ( and #1 fan here 😀 ) so yeah she is awesome. That is what Dia de los Muertos is all about, togetherness.

Sources:
http://cciup.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/43487375.jpg
http://g03.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1Y_IuIFXXXXbfXpXXq6xXFXXXS/The-most-gorgeous-animation-wonderful-poster-font-b-Gothic-b-font-fantasy-girl-red-style-4.jpg