Month: June 2019

O.T. Brewing Company Sooooo Pitted American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV (C$4.89 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 355 ml, packaged on 2-May-2019, acquired 27-May-2019, reviewed 1-Jun-2019)

Appearance: hazy pale gold with one finger of rocky pale ivory head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: doughy yeast, honey, mild citrus & tropical fruit. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, sweetish medium bitter finish. (4/5)

Not unpleasant, and I actually like the honey notes, but overall it’s dominated by that honey and doughy yeast, instead of the hop dominance – or, at least, emphatic presence – I like to see in IPAs and DIPAs. The Azacca is there, but not to the extent I was hoping given the reported double dry hopping. On the up side, the high ABV doesn’t make itself known at all. (14/20)

7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com

Blindman Brewing Hudson Heart Project New England Dark Ale Black IPA at 5.4% ABV (C$8.95 at Collective, 946 ml, acquired 28-May-2019, reviewed 1-Jun-2019)

Appearance: clear deep brown with one finger of rocky beige head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mild, roasty malt, citrus, and pine. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-low carbonation, off-dry medium bitter finish. (4/5)

One of the better examples of the Black IPA style I’ve encountered, with a nice balance of dark roasted malt and piney hop characters. I probably shouldn’t have let the crowler sit for four days – I’m blaming the low carbonation on that – but still pretty good regardless. (15/20)

7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com