Blackberry Upside Down Cake
Southern Grist Brewing Co.

With the "pastry IPA" leading the way into the tomorrow of hoppy beer, the Southern Grist brewers won't be left behind. The notion of vanilla and lactose upon an imperial IPA works only to reinforce the notion of blueberry pie, albeit a bitter one.

Blackberry Upside Down Cake's fruit filled aromas are a blend of berry and citrus along with a nearly minty herbal hint. Burgunday and with a rusty haze, the beer's creamy white froth invites a taste of moderate fructose, simple syrups, honeysuckle and shortbread.

In true iPA fashion, the malt sweetness trails off rather quickly. But the linger of both vanilla and cream keep the impressions of sweetness lingering deep into the session in full support of the orange, lemon and grapefruit attributes from hops. It doesn't take long for the vinous taste of blackberry to layer its robust, winey and peppery fruitiness over the tongue. Tangy, juicy and bitter all at once, the late palate allows the hop bitterness to take firm command with verbena, tea, fresh grass clippings and tropical fruit rinds.

Medium bodied but seemingly fuller, the long trail of vanilla and lactose has the session feeling richer longer. Still, hop bitterness increases the impressions of dryness and drinkability as does the ample gin-like alcohol and fleeting malts. Although its an IPA through and through, the bitterness detracts from the juicy dryness of the berry, yearning for the berry cobbler savory pastry taste to shine a little bolder.