Black Denim
Citizen 33 Brewery

an awesome black ipa, very northwestern overall, and for me at least, the best beer they are making in here right now. definitely one they should keep going, or at least in their rotation, its balanced and flavorful, super drinkable, and has quite a unique hop profile for the style, must be some of the idaho grown hops they are featuring in most of their brews. this is near black in the glass with a tall airy tan head a nice lace and retention. aroma is deep intense roasted barley with coffee and bitter chocolate notes at the same time that piney, spicy, and citrusy hops really pop, usually the grain isnt this dark and complex, and usually the hops dont have this much nuance coming through such a robust base, i love the dynamic, and its just as good in the flavor as the aroma promises. lots of roast here, a little smoke and some earthy bitterness with it, but nothing charred or burnt, and its not acrid like that at all. strong espresso and dark cocoa notes there behind it, very complete with a little toffee sweetness right above the roast. the hops have a strong spruce aspect, with a bit of a bitter orange and grapefruit thing there, some resin, and a lighter, fresher layer too, like lemongrass and herbs, even green olive for a flash, adding additional complexity. i love the overall intensity of the flavor, the balance between the hops and all the dark grain, and the smoothness this has in its texture. a really professionally done beer, and the current highlight in their lineup here as far as i am concerned. i really was stoked on this!