Days of the Beer, October 19

The beer for today is Mikkeller Black.

On October 19, 1987, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 508 points (22%). This day became known as Black Monday. This drop was the largest percentage decline in the stock markets history.

Trading was halted later in the day, because the computer technology at the time couldn't sort out all the orders that had come in. This allowed the Federal Reserve and other banks time to add liquidity into the system to keep it from falling further.

The stock markets in the U.S. weren't the only ones to crash that day. It started first in Hong Kong and then spread through Europe and finally reached the United States after the other markets had closed. By the end of it, Hong Kong was down 45%; Australia 41%; Spain 31%; Canada 22.5%; and New Zealand down the most at 60%.

About the beer:

Mikkeller Black is Mikkellers strongest and wildest beer to date. Mikkeller Black Stout has the Chinese character for black on the label. Black is an imperial stout at no less than 17.5% alcohol, making it Denmark's strongest beer ever.

Ingredients :
Water, malt, roasted barley, dark cassanade, hops and champagne yeast.

I had this beer on October 4. It was very thick, with very little head. Poured dark black, and was hugely flavored, chocolate, malt, vanilla, coffee... everything you could hope for in an Imperial Stout. The 17.5% ABV was noticeable, but not overpowering.

So, for Black Monday, make it a Black Sunday.