Alley Kat Brewing Co. Black Gold Cascadian Dark – Black IPA at 6.0% ABV | 50 IBU (C$5.35 at Collective, 473 ml, best before 16-Jul-2023, acquired 9-Mar-2023, reviewed 10-Mar-2023)
Appearance: clear deep cola red with two fat fingers of fluffy beige head, excellent retention and moderate sheet lacing. (5/5) Aroma: toffee, toasted malts, coffee/chocolate, pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry bitter finish. (4/5)
So, did the tempest in a teapot over the trademarked “Cascadian” name just go away? I haven’t heard a peep since a flurry of articles ten years ago. Anyway, regardless of whether you call this a CDA or a Black IPA, it’s a very good example of the style, with a good balance between the toasty coffee/chocolate notes and the hoppy pine. There’s always a tendency for that dark malt and hop bitterness to overwhelm and become astringent, but this doesn’t. (16/20)
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8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
