Brewed By:
New Belgium
Self-Defined Style:
Enlightened Black Ale Born of a flood and centuries-old Belgian text, 1554 Enlightened Black Ale uses a light lager yeast strain and dark chocolaty malts to redefine what dark beer can be. In 1997, a Fort Collins flood destroyed the original recipe our researcher, Phil Benstein, found in the library. So Phil and brewmaster, Peter Bouckaert, traveled to Belgium to retrieve this unique style lost to the ages. Their first challenge was deciphering antiquated script and outdated units of measurement, but trial and error (and many months of in-house sampling) culminated in 1554, a highly quaffable dark beer with a moderate body and mouthfeel.
Best With:
Chef Todd Davies, Partner of Tap House Grill, recommends braised Dietzler Farms Organic Shortribs, turnip greens, cranberry beans, and chestnut puree. Rich malts, chocolate, play perfectly with the braised red meat(any for that matter)Lots of thyme, tomato and garlic(in the braise with the 1554) are integral to deepening the flavors of the malts. Peppery bitterness from the greens, offset some of the sweetness of the malts. Cranberry beans(named for color only) are rich and creamy and complement the chestnut puree with their earthiness and rich...enhancing more of the malt flavor....this dish really pulls out the beer. 
Comments
1554
Appearance:Dark
Aroma:Perfect
Flavor:Perfect
Mouthfeel:Creamy
Overall Impression:The best beer Ive had in a while.
Comments:Love It