Left Hand makes good beer, and even in this case, well, it’s ok. I sure remember their Smoke Jumper beer, and I remember someone online erroneously claiming that this, Fade to Black, was also a smokebeer. I am here to tell you that Fade to Black is not a smokebeer. No big deal in that respect, and given that the brewers description stated “smoked relationships” along with the cool looking the label, combined were alluring enough to bring this beer into the tabernacle. Notes that hit the nose start off with hops, and then follow with distant and muddled roasted chocolaty malt scents. The taste comes out of left field with bitter, tart, even sour, and something else that I guess is the licorice in there. I wondered if this was a potential black IPA that went awry somewhere and was re-marketed as something different, something that Left Hand can’t quite contain. This might be why they have 5, and counting, renditions of this beer (Volume 1-5) and still keep tinkering with the formula. Whatever the reasoning, it’s well made with a luxurious syrupy caramel colored film that slides down the inside of the glass with each sip. Left Hand makes good beer, but this one isn’t my cup of tea, or beer. Left hand is so close, but no cigar. Overall smokestack rating = 3.9 out of 7 smokestacks, just under an average 4 smokestacks.
| Brewer | Left Hand Brewing Co. |
| Beer Name | Fade to Black |
| Brewer’s Description | That time of year when the day seems to fade away. Drifting further into the darkness with each passing day. Volume 1 – Foreign Stout – Pours black with licorice, espresso bean, molasses, and black cardamom notes that give way to a feeling of self loathing, burnt opportunities and smoked relationships. |
| Food Pairings | Chocolate, BBQ, Beef, Smoked meats, grilled meats. |
| Brewery Location | Longmont, CO |
| Alcohol content by volume | 8.5% |
| IBU (International Bitterness Units) | 30 |
| Beer opacity rate 1 – 7 (light – dark) | 6 |
| Smell smoke? 1 – 7 (No – George Burns) | 1 |
| Smokepower taste: 1 – 7 Smokestacks | 1 |
| Sausage detection? Y or N | N |
| Beer thickness 1-7 (water – used motor oil) | 5.5 |
| Overall Happiness: 1 – 7 (sad – happy) | 3.9 |
Left Hand’s website:
and this’ll take you directly to the beer Fade to Black:
SmokeBeerMinistry 