Kelowna’s Tree Brewing released this limited edition specialty brew in the fall of 2009, a combination of a pale ale and a classic porter, in support of the Tree Canada initiative, Fire ReLeaf, to help homeowner’s with the cost of replanting trees lost to wildfires over the summer.
This dark ale, reminiscent of an English Ale, has a subtle sweet malt and hoppy aroma with some notes of coffee, raisin and caramel. The beer pours a dark reddish brown and produces a fairly thick and tanned creamy head that leaves a nice and consistent lace on the glass as it is consumed.
The first sip starts with an upfront hop bitterness that slowly subsides into a sweet roasted malt flavour with delicate hints of caramel and chocolate. The beer has a light to medium body with a slight chewiness that lingers in the mouth a little longer than expected. The pronounced aftertaste is bittersweet.
Black Tree Dark Ale is a highly drinkable beer that combines the hoppiness of a pale ale with the darker roasted malt of a porter. However, this combination, while creating an interesting fusion of normally accessible flavours, also seemed to pull my taste buds in two different directions. Not necessarily a bad thing, but a bit confusing to my beer palate as it tried to bridge the two beer styles.
This beer with it’s pronounced combination of hop and malt flavours will pair well with a wide spectrum of foods, especially smoked meats, sausage, barbeque, and a fine, soft camembert cheese. ~ PK
Brewer: Tree Brewing
ABV: 5%
Category: Specialty Blend (Pale Ale & Porter)
Appearance: 4
Aroma: 3.5
Flavour: 3.5
Mouthfeel: 3
Overall: 3.5
Score: 17.5/25
Availability: limited quantity of 650ml bottles available at BC liquor stores.
