Rainhard Brewing Nosbeeratu – Black IPA at 6.66% ABV | 66 IBU (C$5.22 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 14-Oct-2020, acquired 9-Dec-2020, reviewed 12-Dec-2020)
Appearance: clear deep brown with one fat finger of rocky beige head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: roasty and ashy malt, resiny pine, light citrus, hint of coffee & chocolate. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, moderate-high lingering bitter finish. (4/5)
Believe it or not, not my first 6.66% ABV (nor, even my second). It might be the first one that doubles down with 66 IBU, though. Black IPAs are a style that I really, really wanted to like ever since I first encountered them, but a quick check of my records shows that after about 50 examples, it’s one that I only rarely actually do like all that much. This one, I actually do like: it’s well-balanced, in that it’s dominated by dry roast ashy malt, but hops come a close second, and the sweetness is very much restrained. In other words, this is pretty much the way you’re supposed to do it. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
