I’ve needed to catch up with the beer reviews I’ve already recorded for my “One Take Beer Review” YouTube playlist. And I have reviewed more of the Black Is Beautiful collaboration beer series, intended to raise funds and awareness for Black issues and social justice.

My chance to catch up was the weekend before last, when Orange & Brew Bottle Shop held a Black Is Beautiful tap takeover. Among the ten beers they had on tap were four I had not gotten to before. And they just happened to be selling a flight of four beers. So here we go:

Midwest Coast Black is Beautiful Oatmeal Stout – 5.9% ABV

Proceeds to benefit M.A.S.K. (Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killings) and Breakthrough (supporting East Garfield Park).

Roasty, with a dark appearance. There is a bit of coffee roast malt in the taste. However, it is somewhat smoothed by the oatmeal. This is a good example of a regular American-style stout.

Pipeworks Black is Beautiful Imperial stout with maple and cinnamon. – 10.0% ABV

Proceeds benefit My Block, My Hood, My City.

Plenty of maple in the nose, mostly like a maple frosted doughnut, which can get an “artificial” note if there’s too much of it. Chocolate roast malts come up in the taste, then backed up by a cinnamon edge. Light foam that leaves some oily legs around the sides of the taster glass. Alcohol is warming, and accented by the maple syrup.

Revolution Brewing Black is Beautiful – 10.0% abv

Also benefiting My Block, My Hood, My City.

Not much nose to start. And not as much foam as the others I’ve had today. Taste is nice, though, with a mild roast malt. More of a strong porter than an imperial stout. Smooth, and a little lighter in alcohol. Then the alcohol seeps in halfway through, improving the final result.

Sketchbook Brewing Co. Black is Beautiful – 10.0 abv

Benefiting the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression

Another straight ahead Impy Stout. A mild nose, and perhaps that’s my issue. As the last beer in my flight, it’s still showing a little bit of tan head after several minutes. The taste has “clean” dark malt with little roastiness. Nice and smooth compared to some of the other beers. Alcohol is surprisingly not that apparent, considering I’ve now finished the equivalent of 20 oz. of stout.

It should be noted that on top of the proceeds being donated from the individual brewers, Orange & Brew was earmarking the proceeds from this event to the Chicago-based Wood Family Foundation.

I’ve finally gotten as much out of this series as I’m likely to find. I hope to bring in some more at a later date.