Black Pearl IPA
Restaurante Bar Rámuri

 

Pint enjoyed on tap at the source in Cabo San Lucas, the only "IPA family" ale enjoyed during my nine-day sojourn (because it was the only one I could find!). Nearly pitch black with two fingers of foamy chocolate milk colored head. Pungent aroma of grapefruit, wood char, dark chocolate, and bitter greens (kale?), with a whiff of cotton candy-like sweetness. Great balance between roasted elements and hops on the nose. Alas, the palate is weighted more towards the former: Wood char, molasses, and burnt nuts with piney herbal hops permeating but failing to truly compete with the roasted elements. Rather thick body with incongruent heavy carbonation. I'm finding this to be overly roasted and resinous although I won't deem it to be a train wreck. The aggression is appreciated if not exactly artful in its execution.