Dead Frog Brewery Obsidian Dagger Black IPA at 6.5% ABV | 50 IBU (C$6.00 at Oak & Vine, 650 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 3-Jul-2017, reviewed 4-Jul-2017)
Appearance: clear brown with three fingers of rocky beige head, good retention and patchy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: roasty malt, coffee & chocolate, citrus, leafy green herbs, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration moderate bitter finish. (4/5)
See, it’s beers like this that were the reason for my brief flirtation with this style. But then, so many failed to do better than mediocre, that the shine was seriously off the apple. This, though? Nicely balanced and very pleasant. I’m inclined to call it malt dominant, with roasty malts leading the way over pithy citrus, but it’s a close thing – and, more importantly, it feels cooperative rather than combative. I’ve only had a couple of other beers by this brewery, and they didn’t come close to this, so well done indeed. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
