Absolution
The Phoenix Brewing Company

On tap at the Crowne Plaza hotel bar in San Pedro

16 OZ can
Served in a snifter

This beer pours black and is topped with an inch of tan head that leaves nice lacing.

Pine hit my nose first followed by roasted malt. I get some hints of grapefruit. When it warms I even get a little coffee and dark chocolate.

Pine flavor dominates. Resin in the finish that lingers into the aftertaste. The roasted malt is in the aftertaste as well.

Lighter bodied with a bit of a thin mouthfeel

I remember 10-12 years ago when black IPAs were a thing. I always like getting styles that don't dominate the scene. This is a well made black IPA. Kinda dominated by the hops. I preferred it as it warmed a bit to allow the roasted malt to at least try and express itself.

I am trying this beer off the tapper at the brewery as part of a four sample flight. It poured an opaque dark with eggshell white head that is not leaving some lace. The scent had roast and citrus fruit notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to sip with roast malt base and subtle toffee and citrus presence. This rivals Stone's Sublimely Self Righteous. The mouthfeel was medium in body and had smooth carbonation. Overall it is a solid beer.