Castlewood Oaked Black IPA
West Sixth Brewing Company

 

 

 

As the words of American stout and India ale collide, that dividing line finds itself at the West Sixth brewery. With the added element of oak-aging during the conditioning stage, there's plenty of rival to the hops, but can the hops remain dominant above it all?

Its black body screams stout, but the nose collects a melange of character- roasted coffee, burnt chocolate but also citrus and tropical notes. The first taste is soothing with pleasant burnt sugars, laced with roasted earthiness and a creamy malted body.

Holding firm, the dense cakey body is slow to relinquish control to the hops, contend to celebrate char, campfire, coffee, cocoa and walnut first and foremost. But despite it all, the hops tether through the malt and roast to reveal red grapefruit, orange, pineapple, mango and passionfruit flavor in the end.

While the full bodied malt sweetness falls out, its roast remains and comfortably links up with hop bitterness for an earthen-resinous tandem that's complex, drying and uniquely bitter with citrus pith and char in finish.

 

 

 

 

Pours an opaque onyx with a frothy tan head that lingers.

Aroma is laden with tropical fruit and roast malt initially. Notes of resin and citrus add complexity. Dark cocoa contrasts mango and papaya.

Flavor is more roast dominant than hoppy, with a charred, bitter finish. Underlying grapefruit, mango, and fresh cut grass are nice upfront, but become somewhat subtle, in comparison. Toasty oak notes emerge late to reign the bitterness in.

Body is a touch full, with moderate carbonation and light alcohol warmth.

Nice hop character, and the oak is a decent, albeit subtle, complement, but the bitter roast is too dominant for my liking. Dial down the black patent.