The First Order
Smartmouth Brewing Company

Poured a black body with one finger head and lace ring down glass. Aroma is surprisingly scant on malts but chock full o' citric/piney hops. Taste slightly belies the aroma as crisp, dry, bitter, piney hops balance with a slightly chewy and sweet roasted malt base, more so giving off sweetness on end. Decent beer but my only knock on it is that the balances comes at expense of flavor as this beer's flavor profile isn't dull, just underwhelming and this isn't a beer that I was wowed by.

Poured from 32 oz. growler filled within the hour. Black with light tan head. Immediately, pungent pine, citrus, and dank hop aroma hit me. The aroma is intense.

Even though black, it's a clear black when held up to light. This is not a murky beer and is light on the palate even though it packs some alcohol.

Great hop flavor. Citrus, pine, pleasant lingering bitterness. I think the hoppiness would saturate the beer more if it had a bit more body. I also think increased body would accentuate the chocolate flavor and other dark malt flavors. But, just a touch (I hate malt bombs).

I love dry IPAs but this is almost too dry. I say this only because it is black and think a tiny touch of maltiness would make this amazing. Blindfolded, I'm not sure I would say this had dark malts in it.

Make no mistake, this is a great beer. The aroma is over the top and it's a pleasure to drink. I would fill my growler again. Good job to the brewers at Smartmouth!