Reviewed by Ye Olde Scribe

Mr. Carman,

You assigned Scribe another Butterbuds beer to review? Well, at least it’s not as Butterbud-like. As a… Mild? Well, not unexpected. But “Mild Stout?” Where did that category come from?

Not a bad idea, creatively… but a little less butter might be nice.

Caramelized malt is obvious, not quite candy-apple: minus the apple.

A Monica quantity of head… so nice. Scribe can understand why Big Dog liked it, if it relates at all to beer. But if you’re look for hops? SUCK IT UP! There ain’t much here.

Dark red? On what planet? Deep dark black. None of the other descriptors used by the brewer seem to apply other than the head. Listed by some as a Belgian Specialty Ale. Probably a damn sight better than “mild stout.”

Note to brewers. If you’re going to market overseas, especially as in “da U S of Eh? …be more accurate. Otherwise it’s like asking the uneducated to go back to the beer brewed to look as if it was scooped straight out of urinals: Butterbuds without the “butter” or the “s.”

Bottle says “spicy.” Well, if you think Wendy’s chili qualifies as “spicy.” And what does “spice” have to do with this style concept they partially created?

Commercial Description:
Brewed at De Proefbrouwerij for Musketiers.

Troubadour Obscura is a dark red beer with 8,5 % alc. and refermentation in the bottle. Poured in the special glass, Troubadour Obscura has a nice creamy foam head. The beer has a malty character with a nice little roasty flavour. Troubadour Obscura has a mild bitterness, which is a bit stronger in the aftertaste. Troubadour Obscura has a mainly malty aroma. The smell of roasted, burned wood is completed by a light chocolate touch. Troubadour Obscura is produced with 4 different types of malt, hops, yeast and water.