The 4 Pines Brewing Company has released four dark ales under the Black Box label that it says offer a tantalising glimpse of their brewers’ “Stygian alchemy”.
The collection of dark beers is 4 Pines’ latest ‘Keller Door’ small-batch release, promoted as “a drinkable guide through the murky history of these historically-inspired brews”.
Available in a four-pack of 500ml bottles (RRP $34.99), the Black Box range comprises:
- Schwarzbier (4.3 per cent ABV) – “a classical dark German lager that balances roasted yet smooth malt flavours with moderate hop bitterness”.
- Coffee Porter (4.5 per cent ABV) – “a collaboration with Single Origin Roasters, this porter is dark brown in colour, rich and robust in flavour and has a distinct roasted coffee aroma with fruity, chocolate notes”.
- Black IPA (6.3 per cent ABV) – “dark in colour, but without strongly roasted or burnt flavours, its dry hop-forward balance is complemented by stone fruit, tropical and citrusy characters”.
- Russian Imperial Stout (8.5 per cent ABV) – “a big, intensely flavoured dark ale with roast malt characteristics with deep, dark dried food flavours, and a warming, bittersweet finish”.