Nyctophobia IPA
Columbia River Brewing Co.

 

Nyctophobia = fear of darkness.

A bottle left over after GABF judging and given to me as a reward for my volunteer efforts. Pours a two finger light brown head over a black liquid with brown edgings. Smells piney, resiny, lemon pith, and mildly of chocolate.

Tastes clean hoppy bitter with hop flavors of lemon, pith, pine, and oranges. Gentle dark grains of chocolate and some brown sugar. Clean alcohol blends into the alcohol quite well. Light in the mouth, though some creaminess (from hop oils?). Finishes dry with lingering bitterness that's mostly free of grassiness. Nicely done, as this style can be a challenge to get the dark color while avoiding an astringency from the grains that clashes with the hop bitterness. Very drinkable with flavors that work well together.