Topic Archives: Fade to Black

Posted in Left Hand Brewing, Seasonal Return

Left Hand Fade to Black, the original, and the medal winner

Left Hand Fade to Black

Left Hand Fade to Black was the replacement for the brewery’s spiced winter ale, Snowbound. Fade to Black was actually a series, starting with Volume 1 – a foreign export. Despite other editions coming out, the export stout held its own, winning medals and beer geek love. The brewery hand smokes the malt that gives this beer the unique flavor and smoky character.

Brewed for the darkness, Left Hand’s seasonal stands out from the holiday fare, pouring deep black with notes of licorice, espresso bean, and molasses. The brewing team hand-smokes malt, smoking 2550kg over several weeks with pimento wood from Jamaica.

Left Hand Fade to Black is available now in 12 ounce bottles and draft.

Style: Stout (Rauchbier)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Seasonally.
Return: Late October, 2015

Distribution: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI

?? ABV

 

Posted in Left Hand Brewing, New Releases, Seasonal Return

Left Hand Releases Fade To Black Vol 4

The 4th release of Left Hand Brewing’s Fade to Black Volume 4 is upon us.  This year brings Rocky Mountain Black Ale into the fold, described by LH as Showcasing the duality of dry roasted malts and hop bitterness, Colorado Centennial hops take center stage of this pitch black ale.

So what is up with this one? Your first inhale is dominated by citrus and roast, as slight sweet malt gets pushed back by initial citrusy hops followed by powerful Italian Amaro, Gentian and hop bitterness. The Rocky Mountain Black Ale finishes with a pleasant duality of dry roasted malts and hop bitterness.

Style: Black Ale
Hops: Columbus, Centennial
Malts: 2-row, Munich, Dark Chocolate, Crystal, Carafa
Yeast: Left Hand House Ale

Availability: 12 oz bottles, Draft. Nov – March, Seasonally

6.5% ABV

Series Recap:

Vol 1: Export Stout
Vol 2: Smoked Baltic Porter
Vol 3: Pepper Porter
Vol 4: Rocky Mountain Black Ale

More: Press Release

Posted in Cool Stuff, Left Hand Brewing, Videos

Ro Guenzel Chats About Fade To Back Vol 3

Edition 3 of Left Hand Brewing’s “Fade To Black” series is on shelves. Recap: 3 years ago, the brewery dropped Snowbound Ale in lieu of FTB. Volume 1: Foreign Export Stout. Volume 2: Smoked Baltic Porter: Year 3: Chili Porter. Specifically – chipotle, Serrano, and ancho chilies from Savory Spice Shop in Denver, Colorado. [CraftBeer.com]

Posted in Left Hand Brewing, New Releases, Seasonal Return

NEW RELEASE: Left Hand Fade To Black Vol 2

The second release of Left Hand Brewing’s Fade To Black series has arrived.  Fade To Black has replaced Left Hand Brewing’s Snowbound Ale as the brewery’s winter seasonal.  Last year, volume one was a foreign export stout.  This year’s edition is a smoked baltic porter.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a lot of detail on this.   Either way, Volume 2 is here.  Here’s what I know –

Style: Baltic Porter (Smoked)

Taste Expectations: Smokey, but not overwhelming. Touch of molasses shines through the smoke.  Twinge of dark fruit. Slightly warming.

Availability: 12oz/6pks.  Draft.  Nov-March. Seasonal.  Recipe changes each year.

8.5% ABV

Looking for this? Just arrived at Hop City, Green’s Beer.

Posted in Left Hand Brewing, New Releases

Left Hand Brewing’s – Fade to Back

Fade to BlackRemember Left Hand’s Snowbound Ale?  It’s a spiced seasonal ale Left Hand released around Christmas time each year.  Well Snowbound is no more.  Left Hand is officially no longer producing spiced ales.  Much of the thought process is that Christmas Ales, and spiced ales don’t seem to have much appeal after the holidays.

The replacement?  Introducing Fade to Black.  (Note the Metallica implications…)  Left Hand’s description of the name is a little more artful —

“It’s that time of year when the day seems to fade away. Drifting further into the darkness with each passing day. Yes, we’re letting loose, from the noose (spiced beers), that’s kept us hanging about.”

Fade to Black will appear from October through March  each year.  The packaging will remain the same, but the style will change each year.  This initial offering is an export stout at 8.5% ABV.  (Export stout is pretty much like it sounds.  Stout brewed stronger than normal for a long trip/exportation.)

Fade to Black is available in all states that currently carry left hand.  Available in 12 oz 6 packs/kegs.

Hop City 6 pack — 9.99

Tasting Notes –  Just tasted FTB for the first time.  One word comes to mind – COFFEE.  Nice coffee taste on the palette, with a little alcohol finish.  To be perfectly honest, it has a lot in common with the Terrapin/Left Hand Collab brew – Depth Charge.  If you enjoyed Depth Charge, you will enjoy 2009 Fade to Black.  I bet this will cellar well.  Worth keeping for a while.