Black Tide Times Four is a 7.5% Belgian Strong Ale from Black Tide Brewing, based in Kesunnuma, in Miyagi, Japan. It’s part of their winter lineup and can be found both in cans and on draught at places across Japan. Black Tide Times Four is brewed using Pilsner, Vienna, Melanoidin, and rye, along with Hallertau Blanc for hops. Black Tide Times Four was brewed in celebration of Black Tide Brewing reaching their first anniversary as a brewery.
Black Tide Times Four : At A Glance
Basics
- Alcohol : 7.5%
- Style : Belgian Strong Ale
- Hops : Hallertau Blanc
- IBU : Unknown
Sale Information
- Availability : Winter
- On Sale : From Winter 2021
- Size : 350 ml
- Price : From 690 yen
Aroma & Taste
- Notable Aromas : Spicy sweet caramel nose with floral notes and peachy phenols.
- Notable Tastes : Distinct malt sweetness with caramel and toffee. Slight pepperiness along with peachy phenols.
Black Tide Times Four : Aroma & Taste
Black Tide Times Four poured out a bright orange colour with a large frothy white head on top that was silky smooth and left streaks down the side of the glass during drinking. As Black Tide Times Four had been stored cold, I had to resist the temptation to drink it straight away – glad I did though as I had a sip and it was pretty muted in terms of flavour. The aroma, once Black Tide Times Four had warmed up, was of an initial spicy sweet caramel one before segueing into some floral aroma, though the hops were faint. The yeast brought some peachy phenols to the party – but thankfully in a good way as they were pleasant smelling and did not have any problems.
Black Tide Times Four starts off bold in the body – it was quite unusual to have a malt-forward beer from Black Tide Brewing as most of their beers since opening have been hop-forward – so I wasn’t really prepared mentally for this beer. However, the malts were sweet with flavours of caramel and toffee coming through, but being balanced instead of cloying. The rye was also present, with a subtle prickly pepperness being present with the peachy phenols just lingering in the background to help round things out. At 7.5%, Black Tide Times Four wasn’t bold in terms of alcohol heat, but there was some present as an after flavour.
Black Tide Times Four : The Bottom Line
Black Tide Times Four surprised me and I would happily drink this again on a cold winter’s night.
Black Tide Times Four : Where to Buy It
Black Tide Times Four can be bought online at the following places:
