Torchlight Brewing Co. Warp 8.5 Cascadia Dark Ale Black IPA at 8.5% ABV (C$8.45 at Hume Hotel Liquor Boutique, 650 ml, bottle date 21-Jul-2015)
Appearance: clear brown with two fingers of rocky mocha head, good retention and excellent lacing. (4/5) Aroma: dark roasty malt, pine, floral, medium-warm booze, light coffee and grassy hops. (6/10) Taste: moderately strong sweet, moderately strong bitter. (6/10) Palate: medium-full slightly sticky body, moderate carbonation, lingering bitter and boozy finish. (4/5)
Honestly, I was expecting a sink pour, given my experience with their “IPA”. But this sort of works: the hoppy character balances reasonably well with the dark roasty malt, and both are carried by a warm (but not hot) booziness. The bitter finish is a bit aggressive and lacking in subtlety, but not unpleasant. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
