Upward Movement
Allagash Brewing Company

 

Pours black coffee dark with a luxurious dense tan frothy head that falls to a decent layer with some creamy peaks and some cling. Nice looking brew.

The smell is a mixture of good coffee, chocolate, sweet toasty malt, pine, and fruity. I do not get the usual Allagash yeast profile, but it doesn't seem like it would belong. Its not a layered smell. It all more or less hits at once.

The flavor is interesting and kinda fun. It is almost like a porter at first with the roast malt, coffee and very slight chocolate, but the hops want to play too and come on strong so the finish is quite like a traditional IPA. Hop and coffee bitterness combine on the end of the taste. There's definitely a bit of tropical fruit happening and I can go mango with that. a subtle contribution building an interesting top note to the resin flavors. Mango can taste a bit piney at times, so it makes synergistic sense. The net flavor effect is actually smooth, especially after repeated sips let things meld.

The feel is quite smooth and that residual foam layer helps - adds a luxurious feel. Its slightly drying, and the bitter is substantial but not overwhelming.

Overall this is a very nice beer. This is what Haunted House wants to be when it grows up. Its nicely rounded and clearly makes the IPA statement over the dark beer base. Glad I have three more and might could go fetch another four pack.