American Nightmare
The North Brewery

 

 

This, according to Matt, the headbrewer, is an all-New Zealand-hopped black IPA.. They've had it on tap at The North the last couple of times I've been in there, so I was pretty excited to try it on a growler fill. Served in a snifter.

A - pretty good looking beer, though certainly nothing to write home about. Dark browns and blacks, fading on the periphery, perhaps a little darker than most black IPAs. Big head on the forced pour recedes slowly.

S - definitely a good nose. The hops really come through over the grains, which surprises me since I'm looking at a dark ale. Very floral and pungent, not at all expected, but delicious. Big whiffs of orange and lemon.

T - also good, but not as good as the taste. The roasted malts are more evident here, and the hop profile is completely sidelined, if not eliminated altogether. Chocolates, coffees, and richer tastes pervade. It's good, but not expected from the interesting nose.

M - smooth, tasty, not overly bitter. The alcohol doesn't play a significant role.

O - this is a very balanced beer. I'd be excited to try it's "regular" IPA counterpart, American Dream, in the Spring. Another good beer from The North.