Krampus
Bloomington Brewing Company

 

Had Krampus at Lennie’s/Bloomington Brewpub, Bloomington, Indiana, on draft into 12-oz. tulip, and later poured from pint can into tulip pint.

Pours absolutely black with 1/2-finger to (in 2021) huge, foamy tan head, which has excellent retention, and leaves beautiful, thick Belgian lace down the glass. Mild malt, floral and hop spice aromas, joined by suggestive dark fruits as warms. Begins with a little carbonation and sweet milk, then mild, creamy malt, and some dark fruits as warms, before moderate roast malts lead into a very drying, bitter and spicy hop finish, with the alcohol not evident until your tongue goes numb.

Very complex, subtle but big beer, with the huge ABV well-hidden by the massive but well-balanced malt and hops bills.

 

 

For a beer that is 8% abv and has had 3 dry hop additions it is silky smooth. I found out that the 2014 version was dry hopped with Citra, Simcoe, HBC291, Mosiac, Amarillo and Cascade. The hop flavor is layered and has a piney, fruity, floral and citrus kick which compliments the roast malt flavor. This is the first black ipa I have ever liked. I have found that most black ipa's have a bitter malt flavor that butts heads with hop bitterness, but this beer has neither. The malt flavor is like espresso without the bitterness with a slight roasted licorice flavor. It compliments the amazing hop aroma and flavor. Cheers to the Bloomington Brewing Co. for making the first black Ipa I really enjoy. One pint had me buzzing. Great beer.

First off this is more of a Black IPA than a strong ale

A-Black in the glass with a one finger head that leaves some lacing. Clear amber around the edges.

S-Very roasty almost burnt, very slight coffee. Earthy and a tad bit of hops.

T-Rather roasty and burnt. Too much that it throws off the balance. Has some earthy notes and ends with slight bitterness.

M-Medium bodied, nice carbonation and a tad creamy.

O-Toning down the burnt malt and a tad more earthy hops would improve this beer.