Scratch Beer 63 - 2012 (Danny's India Pale Ale) - Tröegs Brewing Company

russwbeck

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer pours black with a nicely sized off-white head. Bubbles raise up from the bottom and as the head recedes, it leaves a small amount of lacing as it does.

S: The aroma is held up by a healthy amount of roasted malt and dark chocolate. The IPA part comes out with citrus and some slight pinyness. I think that hop characters have decreased because of how long I've had this in the closet.

T: The taste, luckily, has a really nice IPA character and balances with the black ale part of the world. The beer starts off with the roast and dark chocolate and gradually becomes an IPA. The citrus comes out in the middle and develops into a dry hop finish. Afterwards, the roast completes the package. I still wish I came across these when they were more fresh, I'd bet the pinyness was stronger. While all the flavors are there, the balance isn't quite on point.

MF: Heavy body with the perfect amount of carbonation. I found the beer to be above average drinkability wise when compared to others of this style, which I've found I either very much like them...or I hate them.

O: This wasn't bad at all! I guess I'm starting to get into this style that I initially steered clear from. Kudos Troegs for a great experiment. I doubt this will make it to full time production, but I'd give their next American Black Ale a try.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 00:51:33 | More by russwbeck

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-20-2013 13:48:54 | More by Slatetank

stakem

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.3%

05-17-2013 15:58:54 | More by stakem

wmobley

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +2.3%

03-13-2013 21:07:15 | More by wmobley

beatlefan56

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%

02-02-2013 20:12:36 | More by beatlefan56

mallison245

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

01-15-2013 16:57:01 | More by mallison245

Chinaskifan1

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -10.5%

11-09-2012 02:39:10 | More by Chinaskifan1

TheNightwatchman

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%

10-21-2012 16:10:51 | More by TheNightwatchman

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A very nice black IPA.

Pours an inky black with ruby highlights anywhere the light hits. Head dissipates fairly quickly, but there's enough carbonation to keep the mouthfeel interesting. Aroma of coffee and dark roasted malts plus brilliant pine and tropical fruit hops (Nugget, according to the web site - information on the bottle is pretty sparse).

Released late April and purchased at the brewery in early May, this bottle still tastes fresh despite the 4 month lag. Taste melds the caramelized malted grains with the full spectrum of tropical fruit hoppiness. A delightful lingering bitterness at the end and more of an alcohol burn than I would have expected for 7% ABV.

Memorial elements at the brewery and on the web site are touching. This is the best tribute I can imagine. Although I didn't know Danny, think it speaks very highly of the brewery and it's definitely a beer I'd recommend.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 20:29:25 | More by hopsolutely