Blackwatch
The Vermont Pub & Brewery

 

Taster at brewery. Near black pour, ring of head. Roasty, nutty aroma, bitter. Taste adds some sweetness, cola notes, roasty malts and light coffee bitterness.

An iconic recipe that I am glad I got to try. The roasted notes balance perfectly off an onslaught of resinous and earthy hop flavors. The malt backbone also has a nice caramel sweetness that helps balance out an otherwise dry, bitter experience. This is a fantastic hoppy, black ale and it is a glimpse at the original beer in the style. Must try for any amateur craft beer historian and/or dark, hoppy beer enthusiast!

 

 

 

Poured into a pint glass at the brewery, the appearance was pure black in color with a small white foamy head. Subtle lace. The aroma had some harsh grapefruit bittersweet hops up front, fairly determined to try and lean towards the bitter side but still embracing a nice sweetness underneath. The flavor was basically the same with a semi-abrupt little bit of black licorice to lend a sly little kick of spice. Mostly balanced in the aftertaste. Mild sectioned off spicy to sweet finish, weird. On the palate, this one sat about a medium on the body with a decent flow from the spice kick to the sweet smooth, really nicely done balanced sort of feel to it. ABV felt good. Overall, so is this supposed to be the standard of Black IPA’s, if so, thank you Greg Noonan. I hope I gave you the service you deserve by having this.

 

Cask? Dark brown with shades of Amber and a light brown frothy head. Good aromas of roasted sweet malt and hops. Well balanced and plenty of hops for the discerning palate. A true black IPA. Smooth, creamy, good finish.

 

Caramel and a malty note underneath that and a hop bitterness on the finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had a glass at the brewpub bar. This was my favorite of the beers I sampled. It's dark and hoppy, with a decent balance between the two characters. My only complaint is that the citrus doesn't stand out from the grains as much as some black ales. Still, there was a nice bite that matched the bitter grains. A fine ale.