Annabel is a Black Saison that comes in at 7.9% ABV and 28 IBU. Mystery describes this as a dry, black saison made for winter. It has notes of dark fruit, chocolate, molasses, and peppercorn. The beer pours a smooth black color. Very little head appears. The molasses are strong on the nose. The smells of the roasted rye and wheat also come through nicely. The roasted malts bring some very nice chocolate and coffee flavors without being over the top about it. The peppercorn flavor almost hides in the malts but it is present. I always appreciate an honest description by a brewer. The beer is consistent from start to finish the entire brew lingers over your taste buds rather than presenting you with the flavors in waves. The hops in this are very subtle but present enough to remind you that you are drinking a beer. Winter in North Carolina just got a little better when we opened up this growler. Erik Lars Myers and his crew did an exceptional job with this beer. In general a black saison is a style that can go bad in many ways. Mystery more than gets this one right. They put together a consistent experience by pulling the toasted malts and the spice together with the molasses sweetness. This beer is a reason that North Carolina craft beer is making a name for itself. The brewers here hit big on beers where other brewers miss.
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