I'm not terribly fond of collaborations. They are interesting in theory (especially when you are a fan of both collaborators) bit usually they end up disappointing.
Look-black with a full head that doesn't dissipate. Floaties galore.
Smell-Malty...especially the caramel
Taste-Richly flavored malts with a smokey finish.
Mouthfeel-medium to heavy with a smooth finish.
Overall-after a season of marzens and pumpkin ales this was a welcomed changed. Great for a chilly day and full of malt flavor. The hook for me is the low abv. I can have my dark beer with the rest of the fellas without having to worry about getting wasted.
About Land Ho:
This black pilsner adheres to tradition: Noble hops contribute a delicate aroma and slight bitterness to the malt-forward beer, which has a hint of roasted character. The dark color belies the beer’s clean finish and light body. Land Ho! was designed to have some heft, but still maintain drinkability. The style was chosen by the Heavy Seas team, and the initial recipe was formulated by Jason Oliver, the brewmaster of Devils Backbone; the brewers of both Heavy Seas and Devils Backbone refined the beer to have just the right nose, color, and taste.
