IDEA - India Dark Elusive Ale - Beer Camp #5
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Tough to classify this one - I agree with someone else in that it's a Black IPA along the lines of Stone's Sublimely Self Righteous/XI. IDEA stands for India Dark Elusive Ale - one of the beers from beer camp and had on-tap at Manuel's Tavern in Atlanta.

Pours a turbid dark brown color with dark ruby highlights and a one-finger light brown head. The head recedes into a patchy layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of tropical fruits with hints of citrus and a bit of roasted malt. As it warms the roasted malt becomes more apparent but still takes a backseat to the hop flavors. I also pick up a whiff of anise every now and then.

Tastes similar to how it smells. There are certainly some pale malt flavors mixing with the darker malt up front that are joined shortly by tropical fruit flavors. Midway through the sip a small amount of anise enters into the equation before a mildly bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with solid carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I didn't have a problem finishing my glass and could have another.

Overall this was an interesting beer and not quite as hoppy as I was expecting. I don't think an IPA brewed with darker malts will ever be as good as a traditional IPA but this one did a good job of trying. Worth a shot.