Alley Kat Brewing Co. Back Alley Brews The Grand Subduction Black IPA at 6% ABV | 64 IBU (C$8.49 at Oak & Vine, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 11-Mar-2017, reviewed 14-Mar-2017)
Appearance: nearly opaque black with brown margins, two fingers of rocky beige head, excellent retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: dark roasted malts, resiny pine, citrus, herbs, earth. (7/10) Taste: moderate-low sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, dry bitter and ashy finish. (4/5)
I get that the name is a reference to the Cascadian Subduction Zone, off the west coast, but it does come across as slightly pretentious. On the other hand, it reminds my of “The Grand Seduction” (2013) which was actually a pretty enjoyable film based in my home province of Newfoundland, so there’s that. Names aside, this is a decent example of the style, with the dark – and, yes, ashy – notes kept sufficiently in check that it doesn’t actually taste sharp and burnt, and exhibiting a balanced presence of piney resin and citrus hops. A little muddled, perhaps, but I think this style always will have at least a little of that going on. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
