Black Pearl
Waco Ale Company

 

Black as night and dense enough to steal the soul, Waco Ale Co. wants to be drenched in darkness, but also with a bitter side.

Very dark, bark brown, Black Pearl sets sail into a frothy swath of sea foam while settling on a toasty, roasty scent laced with scorched citrus, brushfire and peppery resins. As its sweeter side emerges, the early taste of chocolate, coffee and cream round into a mocha porter sensibility.

And just as the sweeter malts settle onto the middle palate, the toastier edges of roasted grain bring those coffee and bittersweet chocolate flavors back to the foreground. With the buildup of citrus, the taste of orange peel, grapefruit and lemon rind all seem seared, toasted and grilled before turning to bitterness. A late taste of piney resins resonate on the finish, allowing the char of grain to exacerbate the hop bitterness.

Full bodied and off-dry, the black IPA is dangerously close to becoming just a hoppy porter. There's just something in the citrusy hops that bring it ever so slightly into the dark IPA realm.

WOW this is a great black IPA. Nice roast on the nose and taste. Decent bitterness on the backend, would prefer a little bit more bitterness. Smooth drinking beer.

This was my first Black IPA, and it did not disappoint! Pours an oily black color with a minimal head, but if you close your eyes, it's a very balanced IPA with slight malty undertones. Very intriguing and delicious! I will get it again.