NosBEERatu
Rainhard Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

 

First off: I absolutely love the label depicting that iconic scene, the shadow of Count Orlok climbing up a staircase... only here with a beer in hand. Aplauso! But Nosbeeratu is more than just a clever pun - the nod to the creepy, silent-era German horror film is apt for a beer that's intimidatingly black and white.

I've tasted Black IPAs that are too astringent, but I've yet to try one that *smells* too hoppy. If such a thing did exist Nosbeeratu may well qualify. This bouquet is a deep breath of wet autumn (or is it spring?) air replete with dead leaves, budding greens, and overall forest-y dankness.

I've come across Black IPAs that are so one-sided with roasted grain and coffee-ish, chocolaty flavours they might as well be called a stout. That isn't the case here. Frankly, if anything, it could use a little more of those dark, dessert-y flavours. But again "too much hoppiness" is not a concern of mine.

Notes of spruce resin and skunky ganja blend with chunks of candied pineapple and orange peel, a handful of flower petals and a few giant pinecombs to almost completely dominate the palate. Truffle and coffee flavours are also in the mix but hardly factor in come the finish. This one is herbal, earthy, dank.

Nosbeeratu leans pretty far to the 'bitter' end of 'bittersweet' (in fact, there's zero creaminess to these 66 IBUs). That should suit most craft drinkers in the area just fine - heck, I'm not complaining - and there aren't many locally brewed examples that compare. By all means dig your teeth right in.

 

Bottle to go from the brewery. No production or b/b date but it's definitely fresh.

Mahogany. Nearly black. Creamy quarter-inch of head.

Mostly roasted malt. Not quite as hoppy as you'd like. Weak aroma.

You can really taste the 120 ibu and the hops are providing quite a bit more bitterness than aroma. Some roast-y flavour. Not very sweet.

The body seems a bit thin and leans more to the IPA side. I'm not really getting that rich and creamy mouthfeel you'd expect from a well-executed porter or stout and are sometimes lucky enough to get in this style too.

A good, balanced example of the style, but I think I was hoping it'd be more aggressively hopped.

 

On tap at brewers backyard. Good roasted aroma with some smoke residual.Creamy mouthfeel. Lasting head. Centennial and simcoe, a unique defying trend.great drinkability.