Beer Here: Oscura from Furthermore Beer

I got an early preview of Oscura a month ago at a

What is it? Oscura from Furthermore Beer.

Style: This beer begins as dark Mexican lager, and is transformed when coffee beans are added to the cold brew during the final stages of fermentation. A dark Mexican lager typically has deep reddish amber to bronze color and a pleasant balance of malty sweetness with hoppy bitterness. Dark Mexican and other Latin American lagers, like the well known Negra Modelo, find their origins in breweries established by central European immigrants from places like Vienna and Munich, who recreated their favorite brews of their homelands.

Background: Oscura is made with 100% fair trade coffee from the La FEM Grower's Cooperative of Nicaragua and roasted by

Furthermore Beer is based in Spring Green but its creations are brewed on contract by Sand Creek Brewing of Black River Falls. The young brewery has a reputation for challenging the beer senses with big full-flavored brews like the spicy Fatty Boombalatty and cracked pepper notes found in their Knot Stock pale. Oscura is the newest addition to their brazen lineup, its name a Spanish reference to the dark, coffee color of the beer.

Glassware: This beer deserves a clear glass mug to show off its color while leaving with you the hand-feel of a cup of coffee in the morning.

Pairs well with: Some might be tempted to mix something smoky or roasted with this beer, but the beer is really too assertive to suggest something that will compete with the coffee. Instead, try foods that will compliment it, such as with non-smoked cheeses, including a sharp well-aged cheddar. Even a Gouda would go well. An entree that would match with this beer includes a heavy stew. Then again, the coffee in Oscura is distinctive, so perhaps make it a complete breakfast with bacon and eggs!

Rating: Three Bottle Openers (out of four).

The Consensus: This beer has not received enough rating to be evaluated by Beer Advocate nor