Twisted Pine Artisan Series - Canis Lupulus - Twisted Pine Brewing Company

beergoot

Colorado

3.45/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Nearly opaque black with a thin yet creamy tan head. Caramel, burnt sugars, toffee, and dark chocolate nose. Smooth and creamy mouthfeel leads to rich, roasted malt taste, lots of bitterness with the alcohol warmth usurping the malt and hop bitterness at the finish.

Originally gave this a 3.5 for taste (would have given it a 4.0 if the malt/hop combo prevailed in the overall taste), but after finishing the beer, I opted for an average rating in taste overall. Certainly rich and flavorful, but the strong alcohol taste over-rides all the really good characteristics.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2012 00:35:46 | More by beergoot

zachary80

Indiana

3.53/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

"Imperial India Black Ale"

Purchased in Denver a couple weeks ago. No date on the bottle but it is a February release. Looks like a 750ml with thick black wax.

Appearance is nearly black, looks thin with a dark brown body on the pour. Off-white head leaves very good lacing and has good retention.

Aroma is primarily sweet. Caramel is the main note that I'm picking up. Not picking much else up.

Taste is good but not great. The caramel returns but has significant hops to back it up. Their website indicates that it uses citra and galena, but I'm not picking up much of the citra. Bitterness is a little low for an imperial IPA.

Mouthfeel is smooth and on the lighter side. Carbonation is a little lighter than I prefer. Alcohol heat is slightly present.

Overall it's a good beer but not what I expected. I think the malts and galena hops blend into the caramel flavor, making it somewhat one-sided. Also this beer lacks almost any roasted notes and is more of a black colored IPA. Some roast and more hops would make this a better beer to me.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2012 02:11:24 | More by zachary80