Black Bucket
Kinnegar Brewing

 

 

 

I’ve had some truly gorgeous brews from the lads in Donegal, gotta try these new, canned versions, so why not start with my favourite genre, the black IPA. With a twist, rye.

Top: 1.5” of light tan head, longer than average retention.

Colour: murky dark brown

Smell: quite porter-like at first with roasted malts and a bit of chocolate.

Taste: it’s surprisingly thick, especially for a 6.5 ABV beer. Fantastic. Full body with medium carbonation. As it warms, it changes character as expected from the genre, a nice amount of hoppy bitterness with a zingy, peppery finish from the rye. Very rich and flavoursome. So perfectly balanced too.

Summary: it’s probably the best black IPA I’ve tried so far. Excellent work. Been buying this since, I cannot stop. Reasonably priced too at 3.70€ per 440ml.

look: two finger off white coloured head, great retention, a little lacing, beer dark brown to black in colour, lovely looking beer.

smell: smells good, big rich malty aromas there, a meat like quality to it, but also some fruity tropical flavours from the hops, lot of orange and orange peel, some pink grapefruit, a touch of mango and passion fruit, has an earthy and floral character to it too, straw, grass, some coffee maybe also, inviting.

taste: that is excellent, the balance of flavours is remarkable, it’s got big beefy malt flavours at the opening, some smokey flavours there too, then a wave of sweetness comes, theres the fruit flavours, lot of orange and pink grapefruit, some passion fruit, a touch of treacle, espresso coffee, earthy, floral flavours aren’t as noticeable as they are on the nose, and then a nice smack of hop bitterness on the finish, with a long lingering smokey aftertaste, a great tasting beer indeed.

feel: medium bodied, light to medium carbonation, somewhat sticky and thick, but still very drinkable, nice bitterness on the back of the tongue, touch of warming from the alcohol

overall: one of the best Irish beers i’ve ever had anyway, my kind of beer really, the balance of big malt flavour and big hop flavour is great, impressive stuff from kinnegar.

 

 

From a pint can, this beer is an enjoyable drinkable dark ale.
The earthy and citrusy hops goes well with the roastiness. Peppery
Not too thick but very drinkable

 

 

 

 

Dark color with nice carbonation and one finger head. The rye is really apparent to the nose and on first taste it is definitely present! Medium well balanced with the hops - finish lingers on the palate. I'd drink it again; well done!

 

 

 

500ml bottle bought in Donegal, Ireland (€3.70):
Quite a nice black IPA with a lot of hops & tropical fruits coming through which is what I liked to see from this style of beer. The balance seemed to be a good one with lots of flavour & quite a refreshing feel to it; enjoyable stuff & probably the best I've had from the brewery so far.