Raging River India Black Ale
River House Brewpub

Served in a pint at the brew pub. This brew appears a very dark brown to black color with some clarity and lighter browness around the edges. A webby lacing effect from the tan cap sticks to the glassware. The head retains decent but eventually fades to a thin layering across the top.

The smell of this brew is juicy with oily hops that smell citrusy and fruity thats partially mixed with alcohol esters. Lots of roasts malt scents are incorporated giving an effect of coffee and bitter chocolate characteristics.

The taste is roasted malty bitterness with chocolate, coffee and modest hop inclusion tasting citrus-like and fruity. The hops have a resinous cling and aftertaste that is a pleasant blend of roasted grain bitterness and hoppy oily fruity bitterness.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest level of carbonation. It is easy drinking and quite enjoyable. A nice take on a style that is growing in popularity. The abv is hidden well except for the warmth that creeps down the back of the throat and the fruity esters that meld well with the hops.

A hoppy stout or American black ale, take your pick. Served at the brewpub.

A: The black ale is more of a deep brown color, one that does look black from afar. A tan head, maybe a few shades lighter than tan, comes along with the pour.

S: The nose is at first roasted, a strong stout aroma that crowds out the hoppiness. As it warms, the tables turn and intense citrus hops emerge and balance out the beer.

T: Temperature is key. Early on, this is a stout with a pleasant underlying hoppiness. As it warms, the ale transitions to a full-blown hopfest with underlying stout roastedness. The roasted aspect has dark chocolate and burnt bread; the hop aspect has plenty of citrus. The two flavors together are remarkably well suited, sweet and burnt with plenty of bitterness. Tasting the transition from stout to American black ale was very enjoyable.

M: Very straightforward, the ale is full of burnt tastes offset by citrusy sweetness. The citrus works better here than in Alpha Deuce.