A surprisingly bright taste and a dry, chocolaty finish - one evocative of dark brews enjoyed in Belgian taverns 500 years ago. Not a porter, not a stout - it's 1554. Visually it's brilliant/clear, mahogany. The flavor starts bitter chocolate with bright acidity, roasty and toasty, sweetness to round it out sweet/spicy, rooty, peppery undertones, lingering fruit acidity. The aroma is slightly fruity, herbal, spicy, rooty, coffee, chocolate, toffee. Due to the lager yeast ferm at high temps and the chocolate and black malt- this beer starts and finishes dry yet the middle is round and malt rich.