Valentines Mail India Dark Ale
Willimantic Brewing Co.

 

A dark, cloudy chocolate pudding coloured brew with a small tight head of off-white foam that leave nice lacing as well. The aromas are roasty and interesting with some really nice, fresh hop notes as well. This reminds me a bit of the kick ass brown ale from the pump station in Albany. The taste is weird. Fresh hops combined with a nice roastiness and some chocolate/coffee notes as well. The finish is malty, nutty, and than dry from the hops. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, drinkability is good. Nice.

A thin tan colored head with above average retention. Some thin and spotted lacing that lasts to about halfway down the pint glass. Murky, dark chocolate in color with a few flecks of brown and red.

Coffee and light chocolate hints to accompany a slight pine and floral hop aroma. An odd mixture on the senses, but nothing unpleasant.

A bit of dark chocolate along with some hazlenut and espresso at first. This gives way to your standard IPA flavors: floral hops, a bit of lemon and hints of pine. The chocolate malty character is definitely apparent and is nicely balanced with the primary hop flavors. A bit of a dry finish to a floral coffee aftertaste.

Medium bodied; a bit grainy and a tad heavy on the palate for the style.

This is one that I'd go back to, to dissect even more. Definitely an odd, yet pleasant concoction that needs closer examining.