Friday, July 17, 2009

Hoppy Brewing Co. Total Eclipse Black Ale Review


Is there anything more manly than Black Ale and Braveheart?

Hello Brewsters,
Today I am reviewing Total Eclipse Black Ale from Sacramento's Hoppy Brewing Company. This might as well be called Total Eclipse Blackened Ale, or perhaps Blackened Mocha Bitter Ale. Unlike traditional porters, stouts, and dark ales, Total Eclipse has a very strong burnt aftertaste, one that compares with barbecued food. The taste process starts with a strong chocolate, coffee, toasted malt taste, one reminiscent of other dark beers. You will then feel the bitterness settle in, followed by the ashy aftertaste.
Total eclipse has a very dark brown-black color with a light brown, rich head-- a sort of cappuccino tone. The head wanes but stays with the entire brew, thereby enforcing the frothy coffee experience you may get with a dark beer such as Guinness. Carbonation is very low, and the strength of the malt does not overpower, allowing for a smooth, rich brew from start to finish. This is an excellent beer with a prominent evolution in taste. It comes in a 220z. bottle at BevMo at a modest $3.19 price.


The Glass is Just About Empty, a well deserved 4/5.
The Hoppy Brewing Company
HBC on Twitter
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So what's on tap next for CaliBrew? I may be making a visit or two to local Bay Area breweries or pubs, and I'll hopefully put up another review in the days to come. Perhaps it's time to plan my next beer-tasting trip. If you haven't already, subscribe to CaliBrew!

You Stay Hoppy California,
Pink

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