Bruz: The "black label" 211 is delicious for a beer weighing in at 8.1% ABV... and it definitely is not the same recipe/formula as the more common "silver label" 211. If you don't like the silver label version and you ever see this one - try it. It's an awesome taste for a really nice buzz! Overall 9/10 swills. Much love to AK40seven for this beauty of a 40!

3/17/11 havinafett: Thanks to 40ozforsatan for two of these I got one from him a while back but I didn't really remember much about it. Actually I got a few 24s of this at some point too and again didn't really pay attention.

This time I drank this 40 with no one else around and got a can of the silver 211 to compare brews. I've had the silver 211 plenty of times but wanted it fresh it my head.

I know there's been some debate recently whether its in fact the same brew since they don't even bother to make a different cap for this stuff anymore. Others have claimed they were the same even before that but it was mostly considered nonsense. I wanted to see for myself.

Did some taste tests and some color comparisons in identical glasses. This stuff was darker, tasted nothing like the silver. More robust. Took two big gulps of each just to make sure my mind wasn't fucking with me.

Triple export definitely had more character and flavor to it. The abv was still pretty apparent I thought but not harsh at all.
The 211 HG is the one I know and am used it and its a solid HG in my opinion, but it just tastes like straight up adjuncts and booze.
The triple export is maltier, there's more going on in there tastewise.

When I was originally writing this review I made a note that while drinking the 40 I left the two glasses I used to compare the brews on the floor still pretty full and I forgot which was which.
Took one sip of each and immediately knew without a doubt.

I liked it a lot, unlike any HG I've had that immediately comes to mind honestly.
I felt like I'd like it more if I was used to drinking it, but after taking gulps from the silver can on the way through the 40 I decided overall I like the black 211 better.

The combo of both got me pretty buzzed and I continued to nurse that buzz throughout the night.
Woke up at 8am the next day and felt fresh as a daisy though.

8/10

2/17/11 cavibird2005: First and For most :thumbsup to 40ozforsatan for the hook up on this 40.

I'd been reading the reviews on this stuff and wishing I could get it for 3 yrs now. I was not let down.

I just got off a 16hr day so I was ready for a cold beverage when I walked through the door. Loud ass Crack, and the Hiss sounded like a Peterbuilt letting out the break pressure.

First swig, mmmmmmm. This stuff is WAY better than 211 silver. For 8.1 it sure doesn't taste like HG at all. It's Smooth.

The label is Bad Ass. Not sure why they don't distribute this stuff every where. Sux they don't. There is some speculation that 211 black is being phased out.Thumbsdown

This is the best 40 I've ever had. 10/10 Buzz wise is also pretty good. I'd say 8/10

2/11/11 TheFear: It's Friday Feb 11, 2011(2-11-11) so I figured this was the perfect time to crack this Steel Reserve 211 Triple Export that showed up on my doorstep a couple of days ago. Got 2 of them in a trade from ThePortlandMalter. There has been some speculation that the Triple Export version of 211 may soon be extinct. I hope not, but I am gonna make it a point to enjoy this one.

Pretty solid crack and hiss although the carbonation seems non-existent almost immediately. Perhaps due to the fact that this is a little bit past it's prime at 3 months beyond the freshness date. Don't care really. I've sampled a good number of old funky malts over the past couple of years, so I'm not too worried about it. Brew is still clear and very cold. Shouldn't be a problem at all.

First taste is even better than I remember. I've had this HG malt at least 3 or 4 times before, and don't remember it tasting this good. I mean I always thought it was good, but I detect no sign of that metallic high gravity aftertaste. I have never been a big fan of the really high ABV 40s(8% and up), but this is damn good. I even feel a warming in my chest similar to what you might get from some slightly above average whiskey. In my opinion there is no similarity to the silver 211 what-so-ever. Triple Export is so smooth and easy to drink it's ridiculous. I almost don't believe that it is 8.1%.

A little past the label now(20-25 minutes in) and I am sensing the HG somewhat. There is a good balance of sweet and metal. I know that's sounds fuckin retarded. Maybe because it's just a little bit old? I don't know, maybe there is a perfect age for these HGs to reach? 3 months past the freshness date could be prime time HG drinkin time. I will do some 'research.' Anyways, I am really enjoying this 40. Tastes like no other 8% on the market, and at the half-way mark I can feel the buzz creepin up already. I'm a 260lb guy, so that's no joke.

Bottom of the label now. Some might say 'approaching the swill.' Best part of a 40 in my humble opinion. I've been drinkin/typing for just over half an hour now, and I feel great. Wouldn't say I'm 'drunk', but It wouldn't take a whole lot more to get there. The metallic taste becomes more prevalant as the temp rises, but still nothing compared to it's evil silver twin. I fully intended to keep the 2nd 40 I got in this trade full because it has the goofy silver cap, but that may not be happenin. I really hope these don't fade away. This would be a loss comparable to that of Hurricane Ice or Rainier Ale. Maybe we can get those people from Cairo to protest. Ok maybe not.

Swill is outstanding! Makes me grit my teeth and make some funny faces. Perfection!I need to get a few more before they're gone forever.

3/4/10 RustythePelican: Got this one from 40zForSatan.

I've been "into" trying new 40s for around 3-4 years now, and it's taken me pretty long to get to the Triple Export. I'm not a big Steel Reserve (silver label) fan, so I wasn't particularly looking forward to this one.

The first few sips were pretty nasty. I was expecting a smooth brew, but I got the strong apple/alcohol taste that is familiar to drinkers of HGs.

After those first difficult sips, though, this 40 got better and better. Maybe it was the environment - I drank this on the couch in the basement, watching the Olympics and just chilling - but I actually enjoyed this one. I finished off with a couple 12oz bottles of Molson Ice and called it a night.

Here's where the problem started - I woke up the next day with a massive, massive hangover, off of one 40 and a couple 12oz bottles. Maybe it was just bad luck, but I can't help but have a negative view toward this 40. Steel Reserve Triple Export - kind of like an old acquaintance from far away that rolls into town, is cool to hang out with for a couple of hours, but then proceeds to trash your apartment.

2/28/10 troobie: Finally found the Triple Export (TE) in Vernal, Utah, of all places. Being a "heavy beer" I had to buy it from the state at one of their liquor stores. Warm. I also picked up some Molson Ice which is one of my favorite beers. I bought what they had of the Triple Export, which unfortunately wasn't much. Seemed popular. I believe it was the only HG they offered for sale.

It is amazing how different the labels are. I prefer the Triple Export's catchy red on black to the silver label's industrial theme. Both labels state that the beer inside is slow brewed for exceptionally smooth flavor. The Triple Export doesn't call itself a high gravity but it is "among the very best beers in the world." I don't understand the marketing strategy behind having the two versions and not offering them for sale in the same place. If one is better than the other why would you continue to sell both? Sell the best seller. They both have 8.1%; it isn't like one is for the states with an alcohol cap (like Hurricane does.)

Cracked it open and waiting for it to warm up a little. I left it in the freezer too long. I just finished a Steel Reserve High Gravity (silver label) for comparison purposes. Took a first pull on the TE to wash down the last swill of the HG. WOW! MUCH smoother than the silver label. They should call this 211 ICE. All of the harsh, metallic taste of the silver label is gone. TE is smooth and malty. TE is defined by a lack of flavor. This could go head-to-head with HHG for smoothness no problem. I'm now even more confused as to why they don't sell the TE nationwide. My advice to the Steel Brewing Company to to drop the silver label and make the Triple Export available nationwide. I'm gonna rate this 8.5/10 for being smooth, refreshing, malty, and 8.1%.

UPDATE: I've figured out that whichever style you drink first is the style you prefer. Nevertheless High Gravity Lager is harsh and sweet, and Triple Export is smoother and bitter.

Check this out:
-The two 40's I bought had silver label style caps, not the black Triple Export caps.
-The labels were on cockeyed. I drank these 40's the opposite way of my first review in that I had a 40 of the Triple Export first, then a 40 of the High Gravity Lager.

Bottom line: The Triple Export can be bitter and dark. The silver label is much lighter overall and easier to drink. The Triple Export was a chore to put down and almost reached a point of gag-inducing swill near the end. I almost want to delete my first review because I can't even relate to it on this second round. This may have a lot to do with which version you drink first or are used to.

I'll go 4/10 for Triple Export.

10/17/09 SouthLyon40s: Wow. All the hype about this guy. Steel Reserve (HG - silver label) isn't exactly known for being the best out there... but it has it's fans, and it IS a "name brand"

I want to say that this 40s existance is the equivalent of taking a household name like St. Ides or even Olde English and having a "triple export" version available in only a small pocket of the U.S like this one is. This is a PNW 40... and I got it shipped to me from Boston.

So I've been drinking this. I had in the freezer for a while, and I think this is just about as cold as you can get it without portions of it starting to freeze. I've worked it down to the label. It's good for an HG, but I'm definately not forgetting that I'm drinking an HG. I rarely drink HGs... so I don't know if I'm either "not worthy" of drinking this or am just too inexperienced in 8.0+ booze to really feel like I'm getting myself into something special.

Working my way through the label. It's still cold. Taste remains decent. But I hate to admit that I'm slugging my way through this one like I'd go through a Silver 211 or an Ides even. It's not THAT much better than any HG I'd normally pick up here.

It actually is. It seems comparable to an HHG, in a way. However, you really can't beat the novelty factor when drinking a 40 that is not distributed within 1,000 + miles of where you live.

It's stayin pretty smooth too. This might be due to the fact that it is still at sub-zero temps, or a testament to it's overall flavor. Can't be sure. It isn't gettin bad. HG buzz kicking in, making the bottom 3rd pretty tolerable actually.

Buzz is pretty impressive. Swill is literally nothing. I'm not used to the HG buzz, so those in that range will usually hit me pretty hard. Excellent for an HG in my opinion.

10/12/09 BWill40s: I got this bad boy as a gift from Sleaze. I have always read about the hype and how this is a holy grail when compared to it's counter part the Silver 211.

First sip holy shit. It's 211 but with no harsh metallic taste. Jackpot and still packing a punch with that deadly 8.1%.

Now If these popped up on the east coast you know it would knock the silver right off the shelfs and into early retirement. The label is also 10 times more badass then the silver. I mean red and black has that import look to it in my books.

Overall this 40oz was good to the last drop. Never would say I would give the 211 a 10-10 but thats what this gets from me.

I was very pleased and shocked by the triple export styles.

8/21/09 sleazye: Huge thanks to 40ozforSatan for hooking me up with this 40. The hiss was kinda strong, which is always a good thing! First sip in and this is a whole hell of a lot better than the silver Steel Reserve by leaps and bounds. While this 40 comes in at 8.1% ABV, the taste is not overpowering, even though the alcohol is obviously there. About halfway into the 40, and unlike regular Steel it doesn't get the nasty, almost-paint thinner-like taste. The buzz is great with this 40 too. If it were available in my area, I wouldn't hesitate to have this in my top choice of 40s.

Taste: 9.5/10
Label: 10/10
Buzz: 9/10
Swill: 9.5/10 (Taking my time with this 40 and the swill even tastes great)

8/19/09 40ozHawaii: Big thanks for 40zForSatan for hooking me up with this.

I have been drinking Steel Reserve Silver for a while now, and I wanted to compare the Triple Export 211 Black Label.
This is a good tasting beer. I cracked it and gave it a whiff, and was not real excited about how it smelled. First taste, however, was malty and smooth. I kept trying to make direct taste note comparisons to the silver 211, but I am not sure I saw too much of a difference. I do think that the Black 211 is a bit smoother tasting, and remains that way across the bottle, whereas; the silver get more harsh as it warms up.

For a high gravity, I got a nice mellow buzz, but not a power punch. I am going to dig into another 40 to balance that out. Of course, it could just be my state of mind.

I would certainly drink again, and if I had a choice between the silver and the black, well, I might just choose the black over the silver 7/10 times.

My ratings:

Label: 9/10
Taste: 8.5/10
Swill: 9/10
Buzz: 8.5/10

4/03/09 dj oe 800: you know, i like this very much. it's undoubtedly an HG. just like the silver 211, it's an exceptionally smooth HG despite it's "robustness" (more robust than the silver, for the record).

yet, i'm not overly impressed with the taste. again, i like it very much, but it's not quite knocking my socks off. it's also quite filling, which is a trait i'm never thrilled with when drinking a forty.

thank you, srser, for the opportunity to try this legendary malt and to add it to my modest collection.

3/28/09 BigJandthe40: SRSER hooked me up with 2 of these guys. I really like the looks of the bottle, reminds me of REDRUM from the Shinning. Cracked this with my boy Fank, did alot of reading before drinking this one, I sounded like this was going to be the greatest 40 in the world.
I took a big chug and it tasted like normal Steel Reserve silver label to me, I think I had my expections set too high. Dont get me wrong, I liked this alot but I have had better HG. I think this was overall smoother then the silver, but not as good as Hurricane HG or St Ides. I do love the bottle, its one of my favs
8 out of 10 swills, but I have to try this again and take my time with it, I drank this one in 9 mins for maltliqourtv.com so when I get the chance to run this back I might edit this.

2/23/09 d07c0m: Got this from SRSER. If there is a perfect HG malt then it is this one. Tastes flavourful and satisfying. Quenching almost. The 8.1% alcohol is noticeable but completely manageable. The regular silver Steel 211 has nothing on this amazing drink. I've only had it out of a 24oz can and a 22oz bottle before and both times had me sold. Finally was able to try the 40 and I'm floored. Rocking a good buzz, no foul after-taste and no regrets. "If I could get this by me I would drink it nightly" has been said many times before. In this case I am not kidding at all. 11/10

40 Ounce Killa: I got to swill this tonight. Big thanks out to Orentha for the hookup! I've been wanting to try this for a long time.

Anyway, this 40 was perfect in almost every regard. I had a theory that black & silver 211's were the same brew, but I was seriously mistaken. The black has a much creamier, thicker taste than silver, but it wasn't overbearing.

This went down so smooth that I can't even comment on the swill, since it was still chilled when I reached the last 1/4 of the bottle. This stuff was absolutely delicious, and gave a very nice buzz factor @ 8.1%. I'd buy this all the time if it was available in my area.

40ozcasualty: First off, big thanks to AK for hooking me up!

I've wanted to try this 40 since I joined up, finally got a chance too tonight. Since I've been drinkining silver 211 for several years, this is hard to say, but the black label 211 is much smoother. Excellent brew all around, a bit darker than silver 211, but very enjoybale. I give it 9/10 for being super rare and super enjoyable!

AK40seven: So again I sit down to engage in the eternal struggle of light versus dark, that is to say, the silver versus the black label of 211 malt liquor. Into zee bubbly deep I go like Cousteau during a major dive.....
Well I started by pouring a glass of each and allowed them to breathe briefly before taking a belt of the black...hmmmm
Then, after a palette cleansing water wash, I swigged the silver..hmmmm
Once again it is apparent to me the silver has a much fuller array of tastes with yeast and hops making a notable presence. Carbonation is far from lacking and the aftertaste from warmer swill is more tolerable. 9 of 10 swills
The black is much more two dimensional, with a thicker, though still mellow malty body topped with a sharper accent of alcohol. Not only does it begin life flatter, it degrades quickly into a dioxide-challenged swill which only then, with warming up, begins to reveal a catty hop flavor. 8.5 of 10 swills
To sum it up the silver label, formerly produced at the fine brewery of Tumwater, Washington and now generated at the same source as the black label, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has the better taste. As a result I'm able to consume it more rapidly and thus become buzzed faster. However!, I am rather torn here because the label of the silver just does not stack up ta' black. Sure the silver looks pretty neat in a metallic mechanized machine sort of way, but the black 211 label says so much more by saying less. Who can resist its allure, a jet black label with the blood red numbers? It just sits there and looks back at you saying, "Are you gonna drink me or what fool?"
So then, the two which are differentiated; silver as high gravity lager, black as triple export malt liquor, are very much in a way partners in the 40oz malt extreme.

beam21: I sucked down my first 211 black (finally) last night, and I must say I was very impressed. I did put it in the freezer for a couple of hours before I attacked it, and upon first slug it felt like an HG going down, but it tasted fine, surprisingly smooth. The taste stayed solid and consistent throughout-I also drank it quickly, so it was frosty the whole way, which helped, no doubt. I cringed a bit on my first rip off the swill, but only because I was caught a bit off guard, and that was the only fault I came across. It packed a meaner buzz than any other 40 I can remember ever drinking, and it didn't make me feel like ass either last night or this morning. Actually I felt goddamn great. It did make me piss like a motherfucker, but that I can deal with. By far the best HG I've tackled. I'd give this bad boy 8 of 10; 7 for taste, 9 for buzz. I don't think I'll have any more soon, but we will definitely meet again.

brooks79Z: Recently got to try this legend. Since joining the board I've heard it mentioned quite a bit. Thanks to AK and Double J, a trade was made and I got a great christmas present. This 40 is by far my favorite. The label was plain but inviting to curious minds. I want to say that I expected a little bit of a bite to this compared to the silver label. But the black label was the smoothest 40 I've ever had. It tasted great all the way through, even the warmer swill was easy.

Buzzcore: Okay, this is waaaaay better than the "regular" Silver label 211 that can be found nationwide. Why do they even bother to make two different brews if one sucks and is sold everywhere, and the other one (which actually tastes decent) and is only sold in like three states? More malt conspiracy theories at their finest. Anyway, this was much, much better than the ubiquitous Silver label 211 which sometimes tastes decent and other times tastes absolutely horrendous. 5/10 for being better than silver, but still not being a 40 of choice.

DC40s: Big thanks to Vile for this hookup.

I have to agree with everyone who thinks Triple Export Malt Liquor has a far more hardcore label than silver 211. The red lettering against the black background is truly menacing in its simplicity. Now, for the review...

It had a nice big CRACK! First sip: this tastes VERY similar to Steel Reserve 211 in a can. And I say that as a complement, as I love 211 in 24 ounce cans.

The more I drink of this the more it tastes like regular (silver) 211...

Just finished. It is yielding the same 211 buzz that I know and like.

This is a good malt, no doubt, but I'm not sure what all the fuss is about concerning the taste...

Dirty D: I also had my first black 211 this last weekend. I would also have to say it was the best 40 I've ever had the pleasure of drinking. Slight metallic taste at first but its actually good. Very smooth, great taste, and good buzz factor. 10 outta 10!

doublej708: the steel reserve 211 black label edition. the silver 211 is a great 40 like i said before. but the black just steps it all up a notch. the taste is smooth. goes down really easy. its a pleasure to drink. this 40 is NOT available in chicago, and was supplied to satan165 from AK40SEVEN, a fellow 40 drinker on 40oz malt liquor.com. shipped in from alaska.a great 40. a great buzz. i wish these were available here because i would be poundin' them if they were.check out

drunkenbird611: ok,now with much thanks to AK40seven for this 40 i've been wanting to try since i joined the board,i really liked this version.... i deff think theres a difference..... first of all the silver gives me mad heartburn..this one ..none,but the biggest thing i noticed was this one can be drank a bit faster it has less carbination,it never burnt my throat like the silver label does..it made it seem a little sweeter in flavor also,didn't even seem to get warm as fast as the silver....... i give it a big ol' 9 out of 10,cause i can't get it on the regular,so i don't wanna give it 10

Fat John: i'll take the black label over silver.they were both close for a while but the silver didn't taste as great in the middle ground as the black.silver was near swill in the middle but black was pretty much the same as the first sip.both are great 40's but tonight the black label triple export takes the crown.good shit 8 outta 10 swills

FultonCounty40z: this was a relatively Heavy malt. It was warm when i started, but the flavor stayed consistent throughout. i prefer lighter tasting malts, but this was decent. probably will not drink again though.

IMT40s: It is a very similar taste but I've gotta say. I'm stickin' with the black. but I like the label on the silver better.

JoeWebberlione: I love this bitch, drink a 40 of it down in 30 minutes & I'm feelin pretty damn good. After taste is excellent and the swill is amazing. Only problem is dont drink it after its been sitting out all nite....it doesnt quiet taste the same anymore... 10 out of 10 stars this 40 fuckin rocks!!!!

Update: Thanks out to my man Beam21 for the hook up on this mu fucka. Smooth til the last drop, alot better than the silver 211 black 211 is the mu fuckin shit, my favorite 8.1 % even better than Hurricane HG, dunno if its better than Ides though, I've had a deep love for Ides since back in the day, its what I grew up with for strong brews so nothing can take its place. BUT this shit is sliding in at number 2. Triple Export Malt THE SHIT!!! 10 out of 10 swills.

John Holmes: Big thanks to Vile Fiend for this one. I swilled this on 4/20 after consuming a meticulously prepared 'supa chronic cracker'. Shit was just kickin in body buzz stylezzz so I figured it was a good time for a 8.1% malt.

Beautiful looking bottle and cap... and an excellent crack on it too. The malt was strong but not nearly as alcohol-ish as the silver 211. Silver = headache for me. But the Black is a formidable malt that packs a great clean buzz factor.

chronic crackers
Steel Reserve Black 211
Trailer Park Boys on TV
=
good times

I give it a 9/10 for a kickass strong malt.

LMSCRacer: A tip of my hat to Vile Fiend for this great hook up. I love this stuff in 24 oz cans and the 40 is just 16 more ounces of pure malt pleasure. Great hiss on the open. Initial chug was everything I expected. Even my Bud Light drinking spouse had a chug and gave it thumbs up. Super smooth all the way through the swill (if you can call it that). If Busch Light were this easy drinkin', it might actually be worth having.

There is nothing but good to say about this malt. A solid 9.95/10 only because I am saving a 10 for HHG in a 40.

MarkBlackout: I was intimidated by this somewhat, as I'm not a huge fan of Silver 211, but as soon as I opened this one I knew it was going to be a much better experience. Solid crack, good "beery" smell. Black 211 hides the alcohol *MUCH* better than its silver counterpart. This tasted less like an HG 40, and more like a regular malt. I felt cracked out, frayed the next day but it could have been the mere 5 hours of sleep I got after chugging this monster. Regardless, there's no denying that some strange, cheap, shitty beer resides in every bottle of 211 Black. All around, I'd drink it again in a heartbeat if I was wanting an HG, but might reach for Schlitz Bull Ice if I had the choice. Check! 7 out of 10 swills.

satan165: i was at first intimidated by the black label, and 'triple malt export' claim on the bottle. but when drank with a silver, the results were a bit shocking. first of all, it would appear that the silver is actually the darker brew. the black label is also abscent of the '40/malt' odor that the silver has (although even with the silver that smell is minimized unlike other cheaper malts), the black is smoother and if i had the choice of both in my hood, i would probably go for the black more often. i will say that when i came down from the bitch my head was a-throbbin' and i was guzzling iced tea and water i was dried out like a motherfucker. maybe that was due in part to drinking both silver and black though, either way the come down was as harsh as the king of harshness, OE HG. choosing between black and silver is like choosing between a porsche and ferrari (shitty analogy, best i could come up with at the moment), suffice to say both are great, but the black is probably better Buzz: A, Taste: A

shadyone666: this brew is smooth
tastes good
for 8.1 percent cant taste the alchol which is a good thing
8 out of ten for this brew
good buzz factor
slammed this back and already starting to feel warm and fuzzy

White Mike: Another crew member hooked up by vile!

Shits got a strong thick flavor to it. But its really smooth. No bad aftertaste at all. A perfect HG 40. Its got all the good qualities, complex taste, good buzz. And none of the bad, no sting, metal taste or bad smell. Shit stays smooth to the bottom as it warmed up too. Was able to enjoy the swill.