Apollo Creed
Bull & Bush Brewery

seems like about time these guys do a black ipa. im not sure i have ever had one in here before, and if i have, its been ages. this features apollo hops, which i do not know well, even less so in this dark ale context, but its a great beer, somewhat familiar or traditional, right on for the style. the dark malt adds a lot of flavor but not too much body, we get some deep dark roast in here and seemingly as much bitterness from the grain as from the hops, which in the nose seem high alpha, piney, and liberally added. no smoke to this, but an earthy coffee sort of roast, some very dark bitter chocolate, and just a pinch of some english crustal malt or something for balance in the middle. the hops are great, oily and pine forward, a little juniper, very autumnal, even festive, and without a ton of body it drinks easy for its color and depth of flavor, definitely a pint beer. nice on one of the first truly chilly nights of the year, and further proof that these guys can do it all. never a bad beer in this place!