Effigy
Haymarket Beer Co. Pub & Brewery

(Served in a stemmed goblet)

A- This beer pours a clear deep glowing black body with a brown hue at the base and a creamy oatmeal tan head that last and last

S- The musty black malt hint is quickly overpowered by a big green dank hops aroma with some pungency to it.

T- The dark green hops are earthy and pungent with a clean slightly dry finish that has those hop flavors coming back on the exhale. As the beer opens up the full bitterness in the aftertaste really grows.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with no alcohol heat noticed.

O- A classic big dark hops flavor makes this a tasty beer but the big bitterness means that one glass is enough for the evening.

Served in a tumbler at the brewpub.

Ah, memories of Don't Starve being elicited here... Anyway, this stuff pours a clear sunset garnet topped by a finger of glowing off-cream foam. The nose comprises cocoa powder, candied orange peel, toasted biscuit, and light grass. The taste brings in more of the same, though the grass and orange rind really take center stage and fully express their respective bitternesses. Frankly, this tastes more like an IPA than a black one. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fairly dry finish. Overall, a pretty solid black IPA, even if the black elements really don't assert themselves all that much vis-a-vis the hoppier ones.

 

On-tap at Haymarket. Served in a 4oz taster glass.

A - Off-white foam settles to a thin cap, thicker collar, and some stray lacing. Dark brown body that reveals a transparent mahogany when held to the light.

S - Citrus, chocolate, pine, roasted malts, a touch of char. A solid take on the style.

T - Very bitter taste, with more burnt malts and even a bit of smoke. It's got that odd papery astringency that I dislike in many Black IPAs. A bit of sugar cookie sweetness, but mostly pine, citrus rind, roast, and char bitterness. Not inappropriate for the style, but not what I'm looking for either.

M - Medium-light body that's a tad watery. Active but unobtrusive carbonation. Dry finish, with lingering oily hop resins. No alcohol, but that's what you'd expect from a 6% beer.

D - It's a Black IPA, but it's exactly what I don't like about the style. The aroma was solid, but there's way too much bitterness and roast for my tastes. May please some, and still reasonably drinkable.