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Black Toad Dark Ale is a beer brewed exclusively for Trader Joe's. It is a brown ale with 5.3% ABV and approximately 170 calories. It is brewed by Josephsbrau Brewing Co. in San Jose, California, and has been described as having a nutty flavour and a dark chestnut colour. It is also available in a 12 oz bottle, as well as a 6-pack of 12 oz bottles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Black Toad Dark Ale |
| Brewery | Josephsbrau Brewing Co., San Jose, CA |
| ABV | 5.3% |
| Calories | ~170 |
| Colour | Dark chestnut |
| Flavour | Deep nutty |
| Price | $5.99 for a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles |
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One of Trader Joe's Brewing Company's more distinctive offerings is the Black Toad Dark Ale, also known as Josephs Brau Black Toad Distinctive Dark Ale. This beer is a brown ale with an ABV of 5.3% and approximately 170 calories. It is crafted from a custom mixture of dark and roasted barley malts, with the addition of carefully selected hops. The ale has a dark chestnut colour and a deep nutty flavour.
Black Toad Dark Ale has received generally positive reviews, with some describing it as smooth and pleasantly nutty, with hints of chocolate and toffee. It is considered less bitter than some other dark ales and has been compared favourably to Guinness.
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Black Toad Brewing Co. in California
Black Toad Brewing Co. is a California-based brewery that has been in operation since 1996. Its Black Toad Dark Ale is widely available in California and beyond, with reviews from beer enthusiasts in states including Minnesota, Georgia, Virginia, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The Black Toad Dark Ale is described as having a "dark chestnut color and a deep nutty flavor." It is a brown ale with an ABV of 5.3% and approximately 170 calories. The beer has a strong aroma of roasted malts and chocolate, with a hint of nuttiness. The taste is a blend of chocolate, nut, and subtle coffee notes, with a lingering sweetness. The body is light-medium thickness, and it has a crisp, dry mouthfeel, making it an easy-drinking beer.
Black Toad Dark Ale is available at Trader Joe's, with some reviewers specifically mentioning purchasing it from a local Trader Joe's store. It is also available at Ramkota Hotel, as mentioned in one of the reviews. The beer is sold in six-packs and single bottles, with a very reasonable price of $1 per bottle.
Overall, Black Toad Brewing Co.'s Dark Ale is a good-quality beer that is widely accessible and offers a pleasant drinking experience, especially for those looking to explore dark beers.
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Goose Island Brewing Company, Chicago
Black Toad Dark Ale is a distinctive beer produced by the Trader Joe's Brewing Company. While you can't buy it just anywhere, you can visit the Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago to try a variety of beers and learn about the brewing process.
Goose Island Beer Company is the oldest currently operating brewing company in Illinois. It was established in 1988 as a brewpub in the Lincoln Park neighbourhood, named after a nearby island. The company expanded in 1995 when it opened a larger production brewery and again in 1999 with a second brewpub in Wrigleyville, which has since closed. The company was sold to Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2011 and is now distributed across the United States and the United Kingdom.
Visiting Goose Island
The original brewery on Fulton Street features a tap room and offers tours of the facility. Visitors can also enjoy a pint at the bar or take a tour, learning about the company's Chicago heritage and innovative spirit. Local food trucks are often parked outside the brewery, providing food to enjoy alongside the beer. The brewery is highly rated on TripAdvisor, with many reviewers praising the knowledgeable tour guides and the opportunity to sample experimental brews.
Other Locations
Goose Island also operates several other brewpubs around the world, including in Dubai, Toronto, São Paulo, Seoul, and Shanghai.
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San Jose, California
Black Toad Dark Ale is a distinctive English brown ale with a reported ABV of 5.3%. It is brewed with crystal malts and Fuggle hops, resulting in a deep nutty flavour and a dark chestnut colour.
In San Jose, California, Black Toad Dark Ale is brewed by Gordon Biersch Brewing Company and Josephsbrau Brewing Co. exclusively for Trader Joe's. You can find a Trader Joe's location near you by visiting their website.
Black Toad Dark Ale has received mixed reviews. Some praise its pleasant taste, smooth mouthfeel, and reasonable price, while others criticise its lack of flavour and overwhelming fizz. It is available at Trader Joe's for $1 per single bottle and is also offered in six-packs.
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Online beer review
Where to buy
Black Toad Dark Ale is available at Trader Joe's. It is brewed exclusively for the store by Goose Island Brewing Company in Chicago, Illinois.
Appearance
The beer has a Guinness black colour with a 1-inch tan head. It leaves a webby lacing behind as you drink. The bottle is dark glass with a label that evokes the image of a late-night jazz joint.
Aroma
The beer has a light, malty, and chocolaty aroma.
Taste
Despite its dark colour, the beer has a surprisingly light taste. It has a bitter flavour with hints of hops, caramel, and almonds. It is also described as having a pleasant nutty aftertaste.
Mouthfeel
The beer has a heavy mouthfeel with a noticeable bite. It is also highly carbonated, which some reviewers found overwhelming.
Overall
Black Toad Dark Ale is a good value for money. It has a well-balanced taste and is easy to drink. However, some reviewers found it too gaseous and watery.
Reviews
Reviewers on BeerAdvocate gave Black Toad Dark Ale an average rating of 3.79 out of 5. One reviewer described it as "a bit hoppy, smooth, [with a] pleasant taste." Another reviewer commented that it was "surprisingly good" and enjoyed the level of hops.
On the other hand, a reviewer on Rich Miser gave the beer a rating of 1.5 out of 5, describing it as "extremely gaseous" and "watery." They also mentioned that it had little discernible taste.
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Frequently asked questions
Black Toad beer is available at Trader Joe's.
Black Toad is a dark ale with a chestnut colour and a nutty flavour.
Black Toad beer is made by Josephsbrau Brewing Co. in San Jose, California.
Black Toad beer has been described as having a light malty and chocolaty smell and taste, with a hint of bitterness.
A 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles of Black Toad beer costs around $5.99.
