Beer in the Evening

Purchase location the Bateman Brewery online shop.
( www.bateman.co.uk )

Here it is folks, if ever there was a need for a drum roll, or a clap of thunder under a perfectly black rain cloud English sky, it is now.  I’ve waited two months to write about this beer, Batemans Dark Lord, patiently ushering other beers and ales onto this Blog knowing full well that I was building a foundation with which to rock using Dark Lord, my own personal favourite.

Dark Lord is a commemoration to Sir Thomas Fairfax, who fought alongside Cromwell during the battle of Winceby (Oct 1643) - a true English military hero, courageous and gallant, ‘Black Tom’ as he was known to his men - fought the Royalists with a fanatical zeal. Englands New Model Army under the head strong command of Black Tom had not lost a battle, siege or storm during that first civil war.

As I mentioned with regards to King Alfred’s Bitter, “there is no better monument to an Englishman than to have his memory cast into the soul of a beer.”  Black Toms legacy certainly deserving such a recommendation. 
So, it falls to Batemans, proud English family brewers to bring forth the drink for which he shall be remembered.

Dark Lord pours oil black.  Light almost does not penetrate this liquid except for a slight deep amber shine at the very bottom of the glass.  An impressive head of thick creamy foam, with some fast initial carbonation that then settles as the head recedes.  The aroma is thick and malty, full of citrus hints, almost like lemon, but not quite prominently there if you know what I mean.  The taste is at first licorice followed with a strong roasted malt and bitter sweet sensation on the taste buds, it’s got a wonderfully strong retro-olfaction, as you breathe out the aroma is just as pure if not slightly stronger with the alcohol vapour as it was when first sampling it from the glass.  It’s got a good strong ABV making it a great winter warmer but not a real session beer, two or three of these and you’ll start to feel the darkness so take it easy. 

I’ve found the flavour strength of Dark Lord to be the perfect accompaniment to strong English cheeses, and dare I say instead of steak and ale pie, or beef and Guiness stew, seriously try Dark Lord as a variation.  Sacrilege! I know some of you may think - but it works.

The other day I gave Fursty Ferret a 10/10, caught by surprise I was by the goodness of that cheeky beer, but today is Dark Lords day, this was always going to be a 10/10 for me no questions asked.  Watch out for Dark Lord as it will appear again early next year on this Blog. “To good health!”

My rating 10/10 ( my personal favourite)
ABV 5.0%
Visit the Bateman brewery website for more information www.bateman.co.uk