Born To Die
Third Moon Brewing

 

Pours a pitch-black coloration with a large, creamy, mocha-colored, lasting head. Smells of quite roasted, slightly caramelly malt and citrus, resinous hops, with notes of coffee, grapefruit and pine. Taste is an excellent balance of roasted, caramel malt and fruity, bitter, spicy, resinous hops, with citrus notes of grapefruit and some coffee, licorice, pine and black pepper coming through as well. Finishes with a strong bitterness and some roasted malt, licorice, grapefruit and pine lingering in the aftertaste. Soft mouthfeel with a medium/rich body and medium carbonation.

While the tongue couldn't quite live up to what the quite roasted nose promised, being a bit more fruity, with strong grapefruit notes, this still makes for a very well-balanced and enjoyable Triple Black IPA without a hint of booziness and great body and mouthfeel to it. I never even realized this was 10% until i double-checked. The balance of roasted malt, cofffee, licorice and bitter, resinous, citrus hops, with strong pine and bitterness, as well as a distinct grapefruit note lingering in the aftertaste make for quite an enjoyable brew here, although I might personally have hoped for a bit more roastiness and less grapefruit. Nevertheless this makes for an excellent, well-balanced and rather intense example of the style that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Durand purchase. Served cold into an oversized wine glass.

Appearance - Black as night and pours a finger of loose light tan head. Great retention and loads of spidery lacing at the edges of the glass.

Smell - Lots of roastiness, a bit of dark chocolate but mostly pine.

Taste - Assertively bitter and roasty with a couple of grapefruit flavors mixed in with the roasty flavors. Dark chocolate seeps in mid sip, making this a touch sweeter than most other Imperial Black IPA's.

Mouthfeel - Full bodied, carbonation is moderate, booziness is there, but not overwhelming given the 10% ABV. Fairly dry finish.

Overall - A very solid Black IPA that boast great flavor and a nice depth with fullness to it. Highly recommended.

 

Good black ipa - shwartzbier characteristics,including lighter than expected mouthfeel. It's hoppy and good roast. Very drinkable and worth seeking out.