El Dormino
The Brewing Projekt

Picked up a four-pack of 16 oz cans at the Trig's Cellar 70 in Wausau. No canning stamp that I can see, so there's no knowing how old this one might be. Poured right from the fridge into an Irish imperial pint glass.

L: Pours a coffee brown--nearly black--with about and inch-and-a-half of dense, light khaki head that dissipates fairly slowly, falls to a moderate film and ring, and leaves substantial lacing on the glass. Cola brown with a slight reddish tint at the edges where the light strikes through.

S: The nose is dominated by the fruit-forward hop profile: citrus, tropical fruit, and berries are all featured. There's also a dank/resinous pine quality. Underneath all of this, there is a bit of the toasted and bready malts coming through. Very fresh and assertive aroma.

T: Bready and roasted malts are there at the front, followed quickly by the citrus, tropical fruit, and berry hop notes forecast by the bouquet. The middle brings on a growing intensity of the hop flavors, with the tropical notes--particularly pineapple and mango--pushing to the fore. Those malts continue to exert a counterbalance, with the roasted notes gaining some push. Perhaps a touch of cracked pepper there in the middle, as well. The back end has most of the fruit-forward hop flavors waning, while the resinous pine hop flavor takes over. Again, counteracting these notes are those rich malt flavors. The lingering aftertaste is one of pine hop bitter.

F: On the lighter side of medium-bodied, this one feels a touch watery at times. There is a good amount of carbonation that helps to lift it on the palate and bring out some of the more subtle flavors. Overall, this one drinks quite smooth and creamy with, again, the lingering bitter at the close.

O: I don't usually go out of my way to seek out black ales, but I do enjoy them when they're done well--this one is done well. There's a great balance between the roasted malts and the hops that make this one of the more engaging beers I've had in the style. And this one does bring a lot of nice hop flavor that tastes fresh and lively on the palate. If you're a big fan of hops, this one should definitely appeal to you.

L-Dark brown color...tan 1/4 inch creamy head

S-Fresh fruits..tangerines, blueberries, a little pine....light coffee, light caramel...definitely hop forward and very fragrant.

T-I like the way the hops shine and the malt just adds an interesting backbone with a hint of caramel and coffee. Hops are up front with blackberries, blueberries, oranges, tangerines and pine.

F-Medium bodied...6.4% ABV but not boozy....has some creamy texture to it.

O-Not one of my favorite styles of beer but a well made example of what I want in this style. Hop forward....love the berry and pine notes. Not very bitter but definitely very hoppy. I'm impressed with my first beer from this place.