Nocturnal
Echo Brewing Co.

On tap at the brewery; poured into a snifter.
Appearance- pitch black, very little light comes in; thin, tan head that leaves decent lacing!
Smell - some floral and pine that meshes with dark malts revealing a black licorice-esque nose.
Taste - floral and pine hops, but the licorice is absent and in its place is more robust coffee!
Feel - bitter yet balanced with a heavier mouthfeel compared to other black IPA’s.
Overall - really good, though the booze is a little heavy and the nose gives off a black licorice scent, which doesn’t go over well for someone who doesn’t like black licorice. I would have this again though.

 

 

 

 

 

From a 650 ml bottle (no date) into a tulip glass.

A-The beer pours like a stout; viscosity is high and the medium-brown head is dense and short. The foam leaves some lacing the glass as I drink. The liquid is pitch black and opaque.

S-The smell is earthy with lots of chocolatey malt flavors coming through. I sniff a bit of char, as well. Hops are pretty much a background note with a hint of orange citrus lurking. You don't smell the alcohol but you can feel it warm your nostrils.

T-The taste is pretty similar. Lots of cocoa and chocolate malt notes at first with hints of smoke. As my palate adjusts a bit, I start picking up more of the citrusy hop flavors like orange and even a little tropical kick. It does not taste like a 100-IBU beer as claimed. The alcohol is pretty well concealed.

M-The body is heavy for an IIPA and the carbonation is semi-creamy and lower in volume.

O-Black IPAs (or, in this case a IIPA) are all over the map in terms of flavor, so it is hard to score. Nevertheless, this brew is lower on the hop scale than many I have tried, e.g., Mountain Standard by Odell. It drinks almost like a stout at times thanks to the heavy feel. I suspect my bottle was older. Still, I found it strangely enjoyable and drinkable.