Midwest Midnight
Masthead Brewing Co.

 

 

Poured out of a 16 oz. can into one of my tulip glasses, this beer pours a very dark brown, almost black color that is not at all interested in letting in any light at all whatsoever. As a light brown/tan, creamy looking head that’s a solid 2/3 of an inch thick when first poured w/ excellent retention and great lacing on the inside of the glass. Aromas of roasted malts along w/ piney, floral, earthy, and dank, resinous hops. The flavor is quite similar, w/ the aforementioned bready and roasted malts w/ a bit of chocolate sweetness that gives way to piney, floral, earthy, and dank, resinous hops. Just the perfect amount of hop bitterness here, and it is a refined bitterness as far as my palate is concerned. Very well done. Has a crisp, also smooth, slightly oily, medium to full bodied, slightly dry mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. Has a clean finish and all of the flavors longer nicely on my palate for awhile after each sip for the aftertaste. A very nice beer here indeed.

Eric

At Cleveland location on our annual Cleveland trip. (After getting a $25 parking ticket after drinking wine at Heinen's)

Aroma is roasty, IPA citrus, pine, bright lemon. Taste follow aroma. Nice and solid black IPA!

1 PINT can
Served in a stemless wine glass

This beer pours a dark, ruddy brown color. Ruby highlights are visible when held to the light. It is topped with a couple inches of mocha head that leaves decent lacing.

Roasted malt and pine aromas.

Roasted malt, black coffee, hints of burnt popcorn. Pine and resin in the finish.

Medium to light bodied with a smooth mouthfeel

I used to love black IPAs. I have grown cold to them over the years. Solid beer, but not my jam anymore.

For some reason, Black IPA's usually don't work for me. This is an exception.

It pours black and fizzy and barely translucent. The aroma is a strong, tangy hoppy smell that is super appealing. The taste is dry and hoppy and a little roasty. It goes down smoothly but might compete with your food for top billing. This is a very high quality product.

Recommended. Like most things Masthead, you can't go wrong with this. It is one of the best black IPA's I've tried.