Indra Kunindra
Ballast Point Brewing Company

3.5/4/4.25/4.5/4.25
I have never had anything quite like this. I was making curry for dinner tonight anyway, so I figured what an opportune time to crack this little bottle open. After experimenting with a couple of different 'unconventional' brews the past couple of days, my expectations were... well attenuated.
The pour provided not much overly exciting. Standard deep brown, with a decent sized creamy off white head. My aggressive pour left a decent head towering, but it settled in to a little film over the top in fairly short order.

Upon first inspection, I thought that my nose was overwhelmed by the stove. I smelled what I thought was the turmeric and curry paste and cumin. So I stepped outside. Still there, with a faint undertone of something creamy and roasty. Huh.

Taking a sip, my confused conclusion was confirmed. A firm foundation of a well craft roasty stout is augmented by the adjuncts listed on the label. The coconut adds a creamy smootheness to it, almost like a milk stout, while the lime gives it some sweet and some bitter, but what really stood out is how well incorporated the curry spices were, and how they seemed to weave seamlessly through the traditional stout characteristics. Finally, there is a very definite burn from the pepper, but not overwhelming. As with well spiced food, it accents the experience, highlighting certain characteristics without overpowering or distracting. Probably the most enjoyable incorporation of pepper heat into a beer that I can remember (there have been others that incorporate the FLAVOUR etc of peppers as well or better, but just looking at the heat aspect, this was probably the best fit I can recall)

Initially I wasn't sure what to expect of this, especially after sniffing it as I poured. This could VERY easily have been some bizarre and unintelligible mess ala some of the voodoo doughnut collabos, but damn Ballast Point nailed it with this one. Taking a completely left field combination and not only making it fit and play nice with itself, but to craft something so purely enjoyable... my hat's off.

 

First sniff gave away it’s Indian pedigree. Taste brings in more of the stout characteristics. Chocolate on the back end, curry up front. Savory notes and heat slowly rise up. Complex flavors. Sipper for sure.

 

 

Best beer if you like stouts and want to to turn things up a bit. I mixed this beer with a bit of the habanero for a dash of added flavor and spike. I love me some pepper beers and stouts. The combination was just what my tongue was craving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fun beer with Eastern spices. It’s more of a novelty than something fun to drink every day, and one will do you. Spicy cayenne heat, lime, coconut, cumin. Absolutely fascinating novelty. I’m glad it exists to try. Do a small pour just for fun and experimentation because it’s fascinating. Like a curry beer.

 

 

 

 

This beer was a mistake and should never have been made