Ding Points: 52.50

Pour: 60.00, Nose: 50.00, Taste: 50.00, Mouth: 60.00, Global: 50.00

Tasting Notes:

Full disclosure: This is probably not a particularly objective review since I have a particular bias against these ‘Black’ IPA’s, so take it for what it is. In a nutshell, if you like a fresh, green tasting hop character in a beer like this one, then you will probably enjoy this beer. I didn’t. As such, maybe as well as being a ‘Beer Review’, this should also be a ‘Get Off My Lawn‘ post, too!

Standard pour, although there is perhaps a larger degree of chestnut brown amongst the black in this beer than in others in the style. Head is small, lace is sparse. I would prefer an element in the color which reflects more ‘blackness’.

Nose is typically BIG on the hop front with a fresh green element about it. Appropriate for the time of year, and perhaps for the style, but for me it only really serves as a stinging reminder of what I’m about to taste is probably not to my liking.

A medium body with some prickly carbonation that settles down after time, the beer rocks me back with green bitterness that I don’t care for. It’s OK I suppose, since this IS appropriate for the style, however it feels aggressive and unnecessarily brash to me. There seems to be an element of soapiness to the bitterness. Now, normally I appreciate some subtle, soapy character in a beer, BUT here it seems harsh, unforgiving, and frankly, typical for the style. It’s just so aggressive! I suppose many with American trained palates will enjoy that immensely!

I dunno, this may be a totally unfair review given my style bias, but the beer seems aggressive and bitter and I refuse to call it any other way than how I see it.

Other: Dank Tank series, orange motive for the Halloween ‘effect’. 22 oz bottle. 8.5% ABV.