Trash Metal Cassette
True Brew Brewing Co.

 

Pours a cloudy, dark mahogany coloration that turns deep ruby red when held up to the light, with a medium, creamy head. Smells of distinct roasted, bready malt and resinous hops, with notes of coffee, dark chocolate, citrus and pine also coming through. Taste is an excellent balance of distinct roasted, bready, malt and coffee, dark, bitter chocolate and resinous, citrus hops with notes of grapefruit, pine and herbal, earthy undertones, as well as hints of licorice, peppery spice and red berries. Finishes with a medium/strong bitterness and some roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, citrus and pine lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

I wasn't expecting that much from this to be honest, but goddamn, this is one tasty Black IPA that really nails that balance of roasted malt and bitter, resinous hops, with the roasted malt being especially distinct here, but balanced very nicely by the bitter, resinous and slightly zesty citrus hops, while the coffee, chocolate, licorice, black pepper and red berries really add an impressive depth of character to this, with the body and mouthfeel feeling richer than the ABV would suggest. Overall, this makes for a terrific BIPA that's complex, yet very well-balanced, with a very roasted, dry and bitter flavor profile and a certain richness of character, while the rye malt really stands out here as well.