Sawback Brewing Co. India Dark – Black IPA at 6.2% ABV | 70 IBU (C$4.23 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 24-Jan-2020, reviewed 29-Jan-2020)
Appearance: clear ruby brown with one fat finger of rocky beige head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: roasty malt, resiny pine, grapefruit. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, high bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter slightly astringent finish. (3/5)
Every now and then I encounter an example of this briefly-popular style that reminds me of why I liked them so much. This one does a particularly nice job on the aroma, balancing perfectly a roasty, almost smokey malt with resiny pine and grapefruit courtesy of the Simcoe and Chinook. It generally follows suit on the tongue, with no cattiness at all despite the emphatic bitterness, but the finish tends just slightly astringent. All in all, a good example of the style. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
