Pedro El Negro (Black IPA)
Aspetuck Brew Lab

Poured into a nonic pint glass, the appearance was a nice looking dark brown close to black color with a finger’s worth of white foamy head that dissipated at a nice pace. The aroma strikes some piney and citrusy bitter hops against some sweet dark grains. Light dark roast underneath. The flavor blends a subtle sweet roast to the bitterness of the piney hops. Seems to want to lay back more than I expected and allow the roast and sweet portions control the aftertaste and finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body with a fair sipping quality about it. Good grip from the bitterness, mildly appropriate yet absorbing with the ABV feeling appropriate. Overall, nicely done black IPA worthy of having again.

Sampling a cold growler just filled at the brewery and poured into a snifter. The beer pours a solid dark brown color with no light passing through my glass. A frothy khahki colored head of 5 cm foams up even with a gentle pour. QUite a large head on this one. The aroma features a solid dose of roasted malt and some bakers chocolate with some bready notes. I also get some grassy and citrus hop notes, but the malt dominates a bit on the nose.
My first sip from the glass reveals a smooth texture with spacious yet fairly tingly carbonation. The body is average to a little thick and overall the physical traits of this beer make it very drinkable.
the flavor is rich and malty up front with roasted notes and a bit of dark chocolate. this rolls to some grass and again grapefruity citrus rind that lingers a bit on my palate after each sip. The beer finishes very dry and there is no hint of the booze as I work through my glass. this is a well balanced and interesting beer with a hidden ABV. Glad to have finally visited Peter at the brewery and sampled his beers!

 

 

L: Deep black body with a very creamy head that resembles espresso crema. Thick uniform lacing.
S: More on the malty side with roastiness. Some subtle hoppiness, but not as much as I hoped for.
T: Roasty with sweet chocolate notes and some citrus. To be honest, this reminded me more of a porter than a black IPA, but it's a tasty beer.
F: Given that I think this beer is more like a porter, my feel score is contradictory but I am still impressed. The carb is spot on, it's soft but bitter and very drinkable. Sure it's not quite right for a black IPA, but I really dig the mouth on this beer.
O: Very solid offering, but I feel like it needs a different category. I look forward to drinking it again.