Noble Dark Sybian IPA
Noble Ale Works

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slight brown glint to the black pour in the pint glass. Low head, not much carbonation in the mouth. Light body. Dark and hoppy are the flavors and that's pretty much the whole story. Resiny and winey taste, a modest malty richness, and long bitter aftertaste. A pretty plain package, kind of a really dark Red Ale.

On tap at Pizza Port Ocean Beach.

 

Very dark beer the color is almost black, darker than some stouts and most porters. Medium sized brown colored head.

Smell is hoppy and metallic with a small amount of smoke scent. There is some chocolate in this but no real coffee scent. The hop aroma is floral, only distinct scent is mild orange.

Starts out dry and strongly burnt with a medium bitterness level. Lots of patent malt and strong bitterness, taste like a strongly hopped porter. Unfortunately the flavor never gets past dry and heavy dark roasted malt.

Mouthfeel is OK.

Drinkability is OK. Not undrinkable but it does lack complexity and depth.

On-tap at Noble Ale Works

A: The pour is dark brown in color with some slight amber notes and a dense khaki colored head.

S: A nice big hoppy nose to this one with lots of grapefruit, tangerine, and pine. The roast is not super strong, but there is a nice dark chocolate and cocoa aroma to it as well.

T: Starts with a solid hop flavor, exhibiting the same grapefruit, tangerine, and pine combination that was present on the nose. Slightly creamy with cocoa powder and a solid roasted malt base.

M: The body is medium with a moderate carbonation and a nice bitter finish.

D: This is a well done Black IPA (or whatever it's called now). I'd be glad to have another pour of this beer.

Growler obtained from Noble Aleworks on opening day at the tasting room. Pours a blackish dark brown with a near finger of faintly mocha brown head that sits thickly with some good lace character. The aroma is fairly bright with grapefruit and tangerine, quite floral as well with a malt background that suggests candied citrus and cocoa powder.

Flavor is nicely balanced between floral and herbal hops notes and citrus, grapefruit mainly. Malty cocoa balance is there, but the beer is still fairly dry which keeps it very dirnkable. Moderate, balanced bitterness on the midpalate and the finish is fruity with a touch of cookie.

Body is moderately thick, but lighter than some of the style, but lively with good carbonation, making it easy to quaff. Quite a good Cascadian Dark Ale, maintains the light fruity hop notes and the dark malts are a nuance that enhances but doesn't hinder the dinkability. A very easy drinking example of the style, probably the first CDA I could say I could drink a couple pints of easily.