Maria Magdalena #6
Jopen Bier BV Haarlem

 

Got this one from the liquor store in Maarssen

From a bottle into a snifter
Best Before July 2021
Black IPA 6%

APPEARANCE: A transparent dark brown pour yields a three finger, medium looking, creamy, light brown or beige head with excellent retention. Bistre brown body with medium carbonation evident. Head has great staying power, eventually receding to a thick, full, foamy cap and leaves sheets of foamy lacing on the glass. Full, frothy wisp remains leaving lots of lacing. Good looking.

SMELL: Lots of hops on the nose, with citrus, lemon and grapefruit, grassy aromas, notes of roasted malts and a hint of leather as well. Bold.

TASTE: Some roasted and leather notes up front, hints of chocolate as well, with citrus, lemon and grapefruit bitterness at the swallow. Bold finish is bitter and lightly roasted, with grapefruit, grassy bitterness, notes of roasted flavors and a touch of leather lingering on the palate. Flavorful with plenty of bitterness.

PALATE: Medium-fuller body and medium carbonation. Creamy and smooth on the palate, goes down smooth and finishes somewhat drier. A good amount of bitterness lingers. Good feel.

OVERALL: This is really good. One of Jopen’s better beers that I’ve had in the last little while. This has a nice, lightly roasted base with lot of good, citrusy hop bitterness accompanying it. I rather enjoyed this and would gladly pick up more if they’re still at the liquor shop next time I’m there. Solid, solid black IPA that’s worth checking out for sure. Recommended.

 

 

 

I like Black IPA (still an oxymoron though) and I like Jopen, so I had high hopes for this. Looks are nice: pitch black in the center and amber red on the sides. Strong hoppy smell of pine, lime and grapefruit. These flavours return in the taste, which has a not unpleasant mildly bitter profile. Problem is the lack of stouty flavours however: a black IPA should be a clash of IPA and stout in my opinion, and the latter its absent. Now it's just a decent IPA. Mouth feel is also a tad too fizzy, which might also have blocked some flavour.

33 cl bottle from Albert Heijn @ home. #6: Citra/Mosaic edition. Pours an almost black colour and a firm beige head with reasonable retention. Aroma's of resinous hops and some citrus. Retronasal there's lots of hops, resin, but also some (rye-ish) sweetness and citrus. Flavour is above moderate bitter and light sweet. Medium bodied. Nice long bitter finish with some roast.