Howler
Black Husky Brewing
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- American Imperial IPA
Ranked #544 - ABV:
- 10.2%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #3,423 - Avg:
- 4.21 | pDev: 8.79%
- Reviews:
- 13
- Ratings:
- From:
- Black Husky Brewing
- Wisconsin, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 14
- Gots
- 8
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
Notes:
Reviews: 13
| Ratings: 79
4.42/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Juicy, piney, west coasty IIPA.
Smells of hops and citrus with a taste that showcases both the biter citrusy hopes and the semi-sweet malts and honey.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Juicy, piney, west coasty IIPA.
Smells of hops and citrus with a taste that showcases both the biter citrusy hopes and the semi-sweet malts and honey.
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4.03/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance - The beer was an orange copper color with a joyous white head.
Smell - The malts stand out, but there is a hint of orange.
Taste - My first impression is the sweet malts paired with orangey grass. Spruce hints are alignec with a sense of spiciness. I don't really notice honey. The finish allows the grassy hops to shine and warm.
Mouthfeel - The beer is thick with low carbonation.
Overall - This is a solid imperial, that is definitely worth a shot.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance - The beer was an orange copper color with a joyous white head.
Smell - The malts stand out, but there is a hint of orange.
Taste - My first impression is the sweet malts paired with orangey grass. Spruce hints are alignec with a sense of spiciness. I don't really notice honey. The finish allows the grassy hops to shine and warm.
Mouthfeel - The beer is thick with low carbonation.
Overall - This is a solid imperial, that is definitely worth a shot.
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3.78/5 rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Not what I would categorize as an imperial pale ale. That being said this "Amber honey ale" has some good qualities. The honey sweet upfront character is not malty and dissipates quickly and gives way to a hoppier dry finish.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Not what I would categorize as an imperial pale ale. That being said this "Amber honey ale" has some good qualities. The honey sweet upfront character is not malty and dissipates quickly and gives way to a hoppier dry finish.
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4.1/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
L - pours deep golden amber with fluffy white head that lingers for ages
S - Pine tree with hints of orange peel and a touch of pineapple
T - Big pine but balanced with some citrus, tropical and sweet relatively heavy malt
F - Medium to full bodied DIPA - good heft and balance to the malt bill. Very fine, almost creamy carb caries the body as well
Overall a solid DIPA - certainly worthy of trying. I was very disappointed in the regular pale ale version of this, but the amped up DIPA is much better
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
L - pours deep golden amber with fluffy white head that lingers for ages
S - Pine tree with hints of orange peel and a touch of pineapple
T - Big pine but balanced with some citrus, tropical and sweet relatively heavy malt
F - Medium to full bodied DIPA - good heft and balance to the malt bill. Very fine, almost creamy carb caries the body as well
Overall a solid DIPA - certainly worthy of trying. I was very disappointed in the regular pale ale version of this, but the amped up DIPA is much better
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4.67/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
22 oz bottle, 2015. Wow. I'd heard this is good, but this has totally swept me off my feet. Huge bitterness, awesome balance of hop flavors. I'd put this up against anything.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
22 oz bottle, 2015. Wow. I'd heard this is good, but this has totally swept me off my feet. Huge bitterness, awesome balance of hop flavors. I'd put this up against anything.
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4.1/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Beautiful pour - a dark hazy golden color with a nice thick finger of head
Smells of sweet malt and a minor hop presence. Slight tinge of alcohol on the nose.
The taste was overly sweet. Sweet malt, sweet honey, a slight hop presence, but not balanced enough for the sweetness. Very strong beer as well.
The mouthfeel was medium to thick and coats my mouth.
Overall, decent brew but this bottle was very sweet and strong.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Beautiful pour - a dark hazy golden color with a nice thick finger of head
Smells of sweet malt and a minor hop presence. Slight tinge of alcohol on the nose.
The taste was overly sweet. Sweet malt, sweet honey, a slight hop presence, but not balanced enough for the sweetness. Very strong beer as well.
The mouthfeel was medium to thick and coats my mouth.
Overall, decent brew but this bottle was very sweet and strong.
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3.84/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottle num 1334, thanks to nvrthswayagain (reddit) for this one. Shared with rudzud.
Big creamy head, 1 finger, nice lacing, hazy dark ruby red with mild honey color.
Nose big sweet malt, reddish candy, lots of caramel, into citrus piney hops, candied orange peel, bit fruity, some honey as well.
Taste big sweet malts, candy sweetness and heavy with little toffee, etc. Big piney earthy hop, older feel hops, candied orange, into honey, mostly dry mild sweet honey, with warming booze. Finish bitter orange peel and booze, weird tangy hop thing, quite earthy, too.
Mouth med to fuller bod, decent carb, warming tingly booze.
Overall ok but meh. Not quite what I was expecting for a great DIPA, perhaps it has a bit too much age on it, but without a bottling date tehre's no way to really tell. I did enjoy it a bit more than rudzud, but still wasn't as strong as i expect for a great DIPA these days.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottle num 1334, thanks to nvrthswayagain (reddit) for this one. Shared with rudzud.
Big creamy head, 1 finger, nice lacing, hazy dark ruby red with mild honey color.
Nose big sweet malt, reddish candy, lots of caramel, into citrus piney hops, candied orange peel, bit fruity, some honey as well.
Taste big sweet malts, candy sweetness and heavy with little toffee, etc. Big piney earthy hop, older feel hops, candied orange, into honey, mostly dry mild sweet honey, with warming booze. Finish bitter orange peel and booze, weird tangy hop thing, quite earthy, too.
Mouth med to fuller bod, decent carb, warming tingly booze.
Overall ok but meh. Not quite what I was expecting for a great DIPA, perhaps it has a bit too much age on it, but without a bottling date tehre's no way to really tell. I did enjoy it a bit more than rudzud, but still wasn't as strong as i expect for a great DIPA these days.
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3.64/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Bottle # 1334 thanks to JLindros for sharing
A - Poured into a Kate the Great tulip a super dark honey hue with a nice one finger head that left nice side lacing
S - Aromas of light honey, malts, super faint hops. Light muted genetic hops, caramel.
T - Taste is big n heavy, clearly a double ipa, honey and sweetness, older hops, lightly sticky, faint boozy.
M - Mouthfeel is heavy, lightly carbonated. Eh.
O - Overall this beer was a bit older, which meant the hops suffered. The honey was neat, but that and the malt sweetness made this to sweet.
Serving Type: Bottle
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Bottle # 1334 thanks to JLindros for sharing
A - Poured into a Kate the Great tulip a super dark honey hue with a nice one finger head that left nice side lacing
S - Aromas of light honey, malts, super faint hops. Light muted genetic hops, caramel.
T - Taste is big n heavy, clearly a double ipa, honey and sweetness, older hops, lightly sticky, faint boozy.
M - Mouthfeel is heavy, lightly carbonated. Eh.
O - Overall this beer was a bit older, which meant the hops suffered. The honey was neat, but that and the malt sweetness made this to sweet.
Serving Type: Bottle
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4.65/5 rDev +10.5%
I'm so proud of our little Wisconsin brewery, Black Husky. This is definitely one of the best straight-ahead double IPA's I've ever had. The mouthfeel is so chewy as to be a liqueur. While the intense hop bitterness is a force with which to be reckoned, the buttery smoothness makes this brew emminently drinkable.
It is a serious ABV, though. I'm totally reeling. Yet the sweetness counterbalances the
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I'm so proud of our little Wisconsin brewery, Black Husky. This is definitely one of the best straight-ahead double IPA's I've ever had. The mouthfeel is so chewy as to be a liqueur. While the intense hop bitterness is a force with which to be reckoned, the buttery smoothness makes this brew emminently drinkable.
It is a serious ABV, though. I'm totally reeling. Yet the sweetness counterbalances the
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4.32/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
From a bomber.
A. Copper to reddish amber appearance with a huge 3 finger white head. The head slowly recedes whilst leaving a good amount of lacing.
S. Honey, butterscotch and caramel laced malt notes with pine and a touch of booze.
T. Mirrors its nose quite well - honey, caramel and pine. Tasty stuff with its alcohol hidden nicely.
M. Medium bodied with just enough carbonation (could stand a bit more).
O. For such a big beer this stuff is very light on its feet - I would guess 7% alcohol and not 10+. Black Husky is doing some great things and this beer is another good example of it.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
From a bomber.
A. Copper to reddish amber appearance with a huge 3 finger white head. The head slowly recedes whilst leaving a good amount of lacing.
S. Honey, butterscotch and caramel laced malt notes with pine and a touch of booze.
T. Mirrors its nose quite well - honey, caramel and pine. Tasty stuff with its alcohol hidden nicely.
M. Medium bodied with just enough carbonation (could stand a bit more).
O. For such a big beer this stuff is very light on its feet - I would guess 7% alcohol and not 10+. Black Husky is doing some great things and this beer is another good example of it.
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4.25/5 rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Black Husky Howler Imperial Pale Ale
Enjoyed on tap at the Sugar Maple. Served in a snifter...
A) Amber colored brew with about a finger of head that reached the top of the glass. Nice retention...
S) Pleasantly piney... A Black Husky specialty. Hint of citrus fruit. Drizzle of honey...
T) Follows the nose... A well balanced brew from a flavor perspective. The alcohol was very well hidden for a 10%.
M) Full bodied with soft carbonation. The feel was quite similar to their regular pale ale on tap. The piney bitterness is assertive and palate coating.
O) Admittedly I was a little buzzed while enjoying this brew, but I'm not a beer judge. I'm just a regular guy with a healthy or perhaps unhealthy enthusiasm for beer. Anyhow, this is another tasty offering from Black Husky. It's right up there with Sproose Joose, (I'm aware they had to change the name.), Sparkly Eyes, and their Pale Ale. Glad to recommend this brew...
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Black Husky Howler Imperial Pale Ale
Enjoyed on tap at the Sugar Maple. Served in a snifter...
A) Amber colored brew with about a finger of head that reached the top of the glass. Nice retention...
S) Pleasantly piney... A Black Husky specialty. Hint of citrus fruit. Drizzle of honey...
T) Follows the nose... A well balanced brew from a flavor perspective. The alcohol was very well hidden for a 10%.
M) Full bodied with soft carbonation. The feel was quite similar to their regular pale ale on tap. The piney bitterness is assertive and palate coating.
O) Admittedly I was a little buzzed while enjoying this brew, but I'm not a beer judge. I'm just a regular guy with a healthy or perhaps unhealthy enthusiasm for beer. Anyhow, this is another tasty offering from Black Husky. It's right up there with Sproose Joose, (I'm aware they had to change the name.), Sparkly Eyes, and their Pale Ale. Glad to recommend this brew...
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4.16/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
To begin with, IPA's are not my favorite style of beer, but I do appreciate and enjoy them , so keep this in mind for this review. For me, this beer is definitely an IPA, loaded heavily with hops but balanced with honey sweetness. Very enjoyable.
A: This poured a rich slightly cloudy amber color forming a 1/4" head that foamed down to a thin line after about 30 seconds. Great color, when swirled left a foamy amber trail, very appetizing.
S: Of course hops assails the senses first, but there is a pleasing citrus / flowery smell to this beer as well. I'm uncertain if that was from the combination of hops used or perhaps the honey coming out, whichever, it was pleasing.
T: In my opinion, this is one of the better IPA's I've tried. Very crisp strong hop flavor up front but it finished with a citrus sweetness that leaves a nice aftertaste. The bitterness is often too much for me in these styles of beers and the typical aftertaste often deters me ... however, this left more of a sweet aftertaste in my opinion, which I appreciated and felt the beer got the upfront hop hit from an IPA but was smoothed out at the end with perhaps the honey. Good job Black Husky. This was my first beer from the brewery, I will definitely be purchasing more, and trading to get this out there.
M: Very crisp clean mouth feel; the effervescence behind this beer was nice giving it that fresh feeling. This is something I would drink after going for a run or cutting the lawn.
O: This is a great beer (and this is coming from someone who doesn't really like this style all that much). The beer just felt refreshing and I will certainly be recommending this to others.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
To begin with, IPA's are not my favorite style of beer, but I do appreciate and enjoy them , so keep this in mind for this review. For me, this beer is definitely an IPA, loaded heavily with hops but balanced with honey sweetness. Very enjoyable.
A: This poured a rich slightly cloudy amber color forming a 1/4" head that foamed down to a thin line after about 30 seconds. Great color, when swirled left a foamy amber trail, very appetizing.
S: Of course hops assails the senses first, but there is a pleasing citrus / flowery smell to this beer as well. I'm uncertain if that was from the combination of hops used or perhaps the honey coming out, whichever, it was pleasing.
T: In my opinion, this is one of the better IPA's I've tried. Very crisp strong hop flavor up front but it finished with a citrus sweetness that leaves a nice aftertaste. The bitterness is often too much for me in these styles of beers and the typical aftertaste often deters me ... however, this left more of a sweet aftertaste in my opinion, which I appreciated and felt the beer got the upfront hop hit from an IPA but was smoothed out at the end with perhaps the honey. Good job Black Husky. This was my first beer from the brewery, I will definitely be purchasing more, and trading to get this out there.
M: Very crisp clean mouth feel; the effervescence behind this beer was nice giving it that fresh feeling. This is something I would drink after going for a run or cutting the lawn.
O: This is a great beer (and this is coming from someone who doesn't really like this style all that much). The beer just felt refreshing and I will certainly be recommending this to others.
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3.92/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
poured 22oz bomber into snifter.
A - Cloudy dark honey amber in color with a thin half finger head.Thin cap stays and leaves behind spotty lacing.
S - Good amount of honey, caramel from malts with floral notes and a slight dank citrusy smell in the background.
T - Starts off more caramel malt and sweet honey, but the bitterness from all the hops takes over. Bitter, floral, and citrus notes seem to to be the biggest players in the flavor department.
M - Nice, smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and good carbonation.
O - A solid offering from Black Husky, and you definitely can tell there is honey used in this beer. Not quite as good as the Pale Ale and Sproose, but those were awesome.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
poured 22oz bomber into snifter.
A - Cloudy dark honey amber in color with a thin half finger head.Thin cap stays and leaves behind spotty lacing.
S - Good amount of honey, caramel from malts with floral notes and a slight dank citrusy smell in the background.
T - Starts off more caramel malt and sweet honey, but the bitterness from all the hops takes over. Bitter, floral, and citrus notes seem to to be the biggest players in the flavor department.
M - Nice, smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and good carbonation.
O - A solid offering from Black Husky, and you definitely can tell there is honey used in this beer. Not quite as good as the Pale Ale and Sproose, but those were awesome.
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Howler from Black Husky Brewing
Beer rating:
92 out of
100 with
79 ratings
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