Buffalo Soldier
UTOG Brewing Company

feel like ive had this at least once before, somehow only reviewing it now. a quality black ipa right here, glad to be seeing more from these guys coming through idaho now. this has some rye malt in it, its certainly robust in all facets, is full flavored, full bodied, and nice and smooth, a neat offering this time of year, maybe not a winter seasonal, but it kind of fits in as one. inky near black, quite dense looking, and with an inch plus of creamy light brown head, puffy and lasting, high shine, this looks great. definite black pepper rye character to this, a deep roast, black drip coffee, light raisin, some soft smoke too, pretty complex in its bigness and depth, and the hops hit wintery too, pine, menthol, oily dankness, really bold on all fronts, and the flavor follows, hoppy the whole way, seemingly accentuated by the rye malt, a cool add, hops seem high alpha and northwestern, cascade and ctz maybe, or centennial and simcoe, its that kind of profile and its perfect because its powerful enough to come through all this malt and roast. still some grain sweetness to this, molasses and chocolate, but there is balance because of the bitter side of the roast and all the hops, especially on the swallow. tons of body, some lingering dark grain and weedy hop character, its big and slow drinking but its also incredibly satisfying in cold weather, like my body seems to need it as much as my palate, and its robustness is definitely a virtue. one of the best beers they make at utog i reckon, reminds me of the glory days when sturdy spicy cascadian dark ales were in vogue!

Taster at Boise winter Ale fest. Dark brown pour, foamy head. Aroma is roasty, burnt toast, pumpernickel. Taste is dark, roasty and bitter, mild sweetness. Lovely body, full. Really nice overall roasty bitterness.

5-12-21 dated tall cans, purchased at the source.

Pours out looking like a stout, dark khaki and leaving a load of fine webs of lacing.

Dark malts and chocolate on the nose.

Pleasing brew loaded up with more dark malty notes, rich dark chocolate with a hopped up, and dry finish... nicely done...well worth a try