Black Dynomite
902 Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picked up a four pack of these very plain looking cans tonight.
No canned on date or ABV on the four pack, so it was unusual for me to purchase a beer without that information, but I took a gamble because I was looking for something new.
This black india pale ale is more hoppy than I expected, but didn't overpower the strong roasted malts, and heavy coffee/chocolate notes.
This beer is very much true to it's style and description on the can and for that I commend them.
After I tasted it, I looked it up and wasn't surprised to see this is about 7% ABV.
It's like a cross between an Oktoberfest style beer and a very hoppy IPA. It's a very hoppy beer when you first sip it, and has a pleasant dark chocolate aftertaste.
I would drink this as fresh as possible otherwise the hops may fade, which is probably why they use cans for distribution.
This is a very tasty beer and I would rec you try it. If you are a fan of strong coffee/dark chocolate this is an excellent beer for you.
I'd give it a higher rating, maybe even a 4.75 or 4.8, but they really need to date these cans and list the ABV.
Final Rating 4/5.
Cheers

I had this on draught in a bar. 16 oz. pour served in a shaker glass. It pours jet black with a thin, foamy, mocha-colored head and lacing. While the lacing was thin, it lasted through the pour. I wish this wasn't served so cold; I think the temperature muted the smell. There was roasted malt, black coffee, and a whiff of anise. The taste opens with a hint of caramel and raisin but quickly turns decidedly bitter. It has a strong backbone of roasted malt and burnt coffee grounds. It's like drinking two separate beers. I noticed that as the glass warmed I could taste more of the malt. This ale is light and crisp with moderate carbonation. It's a smooth drinker and I didn't notice the 7% ABV. Overall, this is a nice take on a style that every brewer seems to be trying. It would benefit if the tastes blended a little more. It's not at the level of Carton's Epitome but 902 has a solid black ale here that, with a little work, could be very good. I'm rooting for them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had on draft in a tulip glass.

A - Beer comes out looking like a good porter, with two fingers of dark brown head. Very attractive beer to look at.

N - Roasty and hoppy.

T - Porter-like roast balanced with aggressive hop bitterness. I had this beer first in a flight, and it begged me to enjoy a larger pour.

F - Not too overly carbonated, but not particularly silky.

O - Very enjoyable for a black IPA. I haven't had anything from 902 Brewing before, but this has me intrigued to try more in the future.