Invicta India Black Ale
Cervejaria Invicta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invicta has made a name for itself in Riberão Preto's, the same city which has produced Cervejaria Colorado. Invicta's India Black Ale comes with 75 IBU's and 7.5% alcohol, and is highlighted by the "Phantom" steam engine on the label. On to the beer:

Black is the name of this beer, and black is the color of the beer's body. The head forms an inch thick with a tanned hue, dropping to a creamy lace around. The aroma smells like hops with some age on them. With the malt base a small part of the India Black Ale experience, it might be a good thing in the end. As it stands, it smells like some pine sap, a little dark cocoa, vague roasted malt, some hop leaves. Seems almost like half-and half; half India Ale and half dark ale.

That's nice. Invicta's version of the style has the bitterness that you would expect of an IPA and its dark malt base is not overpowered by it. I find too many India Black's to be overpowering with the bitterness with little else. Here, I think Invicta has the hop to malt just right. The first taste is a semi-clean hop bitterness, which paves the way for tobacco leaves, dark chocolate, molasses, a second wave of bitterness which keeps the sweet taste in check. Not too bitter, not too sweet, and not too alcoholic. Putting on the finishing touch is a mouthfeel which is medium-full and quite smooth with controlled carbonation hitting the palate in a pleasing manner.

I had high hopes when Sergio sent me this, along with its Imperial IPA and collaboration saison. Invicta has hit those high hopes with a little room to spare in this winner. Can't wait to try the other two!

 

 

Black color with three fingers of caramel head with long retention and leaving laces.
Nice aroma, a mix of fruity hops with toasted malts and dark chocolate.
Bold flavor, malty and hoppy, though not extreme, you really don’t feel as much as 75 IBUs, but that is usual given the type of malts used. Taste of toasted and some smoked malts with citric hints of grapefruits. Dry with a long lasting bitter aftertaste.
Medium body with low carbonation. 7.5% ABV is not felt.
Well balanced beer and very pleasant to drink. The twist on the citric feeling amid its bold flavors (especially once starts to warm up) was an assertive decision and gave it a particular character to the beer. I love Black IPAs (better if imperial), they mix two of my favorite styles.