Acca Dacca Blaccka Black IPA
Wrecking Bar Brewpub

On tap at the brewpub

A: Pours dark, dark brown, a shade from black with nearly no head atop the beer. The head that is there dissipates quickly.

S: Piney hops dominate the aroma with a bit of roasted malts in the background. Citrus hops are also present to a lesser extent. Really a very hoppy aroma.

T: Bitter hops team with roasted malts to provide a punch with piney hop flavors in the background to compliment. Little to no sweetness is present to balance. I also get some bready malts in the background to add to the complexity. A very nice, yet dry flavor to this beer.

M: Quite dry and highly carbonated.

O: I find myself wishing there was some toffee and caramel sweetness to balance, but the hop and roasty flavors are quite nice.

 

Had the cask conditioned version. Pours a rich, opaque sable just a couple red tomcat whiskers above black with a thick, fine-bubbled, persistent tan head. Aroma has a strong, hoppy/evergreen overtone and malty, smoky, roast coffee notes. Flavor has coffee, malty, chocolate and evergreen notes, rather like drinking a serious IPA mixed with a good coffee stout. There is a hint of sweetness that nicely balances the hop bitterness. Smooth texture has above-average body and just a little fizziness, but hoppy and smoky finish boosts this. A winner! No wonder Wrecking Bar was recently voted Atlanta’s best brewpub. And that ain’t just beginner’s luck, either!

Appearance: Arrives with a coffee brown colored liquid that is capped by a nice tan head that literally leaves a curtain of lace on the way down

Smell: Toasted pumpernickel with a piney character; undertones of licorice

Taste: Toasted, almost burnt, pumpernickel with a fruity character that is joined by pine through mid-palate; after the swallow, the licorice flavor adds another dimension, though the finish is primarily hoppy; the malt flavors continue to add balance in the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation; a little prickly

Overall: A very nice example of the style; really enjoyed the licorice and fruit elements beyond just the roasty malt and hop flavors so typical to the style

Note: I may be slightly off in the ABV so other reviewers should feel free to correct me