Bludgeon Yer Eye PA - Short's Brewing Company

techfed87

Michigan

4.6/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a big, frothy head. Smell is super hoppy, almost as floral as their other IPA's. Color is stark black. First sip immediately reminds me of my other favorite combination of chocolate and peanut butter. This beer combines my absolute favorites of darker, more malty beers, like black ales, and hoppier, lighter beers like IPA's. The flavor attributes of both blend so well together that this may end up being one of my favorite beers overall.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 01:52:25 | More by techfed87

clint1019

Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance-Black in color with a bubbly/frothy carmel colored head that leaves some nice lacing on the glass.

Smell-Has a great piney hop aroma combined with a roasty malt aroma.

Taste-Has a strong hop presence up front, followed by a roasty malt flavor, and finally it finishes with a big hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel-light bodied with not much carbonation.

Overall-This is a great example of a Black IPA. Has a nice roasty malt aroma and flavor backed by a big piney hop presence. Well done Shorts.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 22:42:59 | More by clint1019

dudecandle

New York

4.55/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Ashley's, Ann Arbor, MI:

A: Black body with a small off-white-to-coffee colored head, some lacing, holds well.

S/T: This black IPA brings together two wonderful sides of beer which rarely work together: a nice fresh herbal and grassy hop, plus a nice dose of coffee, smoke, and caramel. While up front, you get the bitterness of the hops, the coffee takes over on the back end with its own bitterness. The slight touch of caramel and smoke add a third level of complexity which is just not common enough in this world.

M: Medium body, somewhat creamy.

D: Great IPA with essentially a touch of stout. Not a huge hop bomb, but still a very respectable amount of hops. The flavors don't crowd each other out or create some unpleasant cacophony, but rather blend together quite nicely, with each new level of flavor developing further along the palate. I don't know how wide this is going to spread, but it should.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2010 21:47:33 | More by dudecandle

jmich24

Michigan

4.55/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sniffer:

ABV is a sessionable 5%!

A: very near black in color. One finger light tan head that never completely goes away, sticky lacing.
S: Delish! Super hoppy with a nice bit of roasted malts. I want to smell this all night. Hop>Malts
T: Again Hops are outstanding, great dark roasty flavor to go with the huge hop aroma. Lingering bitterness is also a plus.
M: Medium mouthfeel seems appropriate.
O: This was far and away the best Black IPA example i have had to date. Great aroma and flavor as well a nice lingering bitterness. The low ABV (per website) is only 5% makes this brew that much more amazing! The dark malts are what puts this over the top! I am clearly in a love/hate relationship with Shorts, If they ever get the sour/infected notes out the their lineup it would all be world class!

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2011 01:00:58 | More by jmich24

alexgash

Connecticut

4.47/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle.

Dark maple syrup to cola brown body. Small, tight-laced, light khaki brown head. Some lacing. Pungently appetizing resin and pine hop aromas up front. Some mint as well. Strong chocolate and roasted malt backing. Hints of licorice and caramel too. Very nice.

Singed malts and coffee bitterness percolate to the front. Hop bitterness builds with notes of mint, pine, Scotch tape, and maybe a hint of lime. Strong roasted malts and dark chocolate balance the hoppiness. Notes of caramel, licorice, and earthy peat also mingle in the palate. Finish is a bit dry, with lingering hop bitterness. Delicious! Medium-bodied, with a slightly chewy feel. One of the better black IPAs I've had.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 20:55:37 | More by alexgash

dirtylou

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

on-tap, Brickhouse - Madison

from notes

appearance: served in a shaker pint, dark mahogany body, quickly dissipating tan head

smell: piney hops - very green, charred malts, roasty, smoke

taste: really great - instantly one of my favorite black ipas...lush evergreen, dark chocolate, char, smoke, burnt malts, heavy roasted dark malts.

mouthfeel: rich medium body

overall: nice

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2011 16:29:59 | More by dirtylou

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle gifted my way by jale (thanks Jim!). This pours dark brown-black with a finger or so of tan foam.

Not being a big fan of Black IPAs, I was surprised to find this smells really nice. A nice mix of roasted malt and intensely piney hops. Reminds me a little bit of HF James, I'd say this is definitive. It all comes through in the flavor too, pine needles and citrus, toasted/roasted malts and a bitter but flavorful aftertaste. No real sweetness anywhere, but not overly bitter either.

I could go for a few more of these, this is probably my favorite of the style. Recommended!

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 02:07:00 | More by TurdFurgison

DannyDan

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours a black mahogany with a tan white head that has good lacing and retention. The nose has a nice pine and floral hops aroma with some roasted and smoked malts trying to come through. The taste starts out with the hops and is followed with some coffee, caramel and chocolate malts lingering in the back and than the pine hops hits you again in the aftertaste. the mouthfeel is medium bodied that clings to the tip of the tongue and sticks to the lips. Overall, this is a very pleasant surprise and one I'll be drinking more of in the future.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 05:45:49 | More by DannyDan

prototypic

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bludgeon Yer Eye is a dark, chocolate brown color. It’s not opaque. Backlighting reveals some burgundy highlights throughout. It’s topped with a nice tan head that stands over a finger tall. It’s somewhat slow to recede and leaves a sticky web of lace trailing down the glass.

The nose is good. It starts out with a rush of piney and citric hops. Grapefruit and mango are noted. They smell mostly of pine though. There are some dark malt scents. It smells like a mix of roasted malts and cocoa. They’re secondary to the hops. No doubt about that. More chocolaty scents emerge late. They don’t exactly smell sweet. Alcohol is masked well. Doesn’t come through strong at all.

The flavor is excellent. Hops attack the palate immediately and have a strong piney, resiny flavor. There are some citric grapefruit and mango flavors, but pine rules the day. It is quite bitter and dry. The hops work very well with the dark malt base. Roasted malts are the base, but are complemented by cocoa and bittersweet dark chocolate. It all works together to produce a really nice flavor. Alcohol is barley noticeable. Finishes bitter, dry and very roasty.

Bludgeon Yer Eye has a medium body and light carbonation. It is nice, smooth, and easy to drink. I wouldn’t say it’s creamy, but it goes down extremely easy. Several bottles would definitely be possible.

To date, I’ve been really impressed with Short’s Brewing Company. Bludgeon Yer Eye isn’t exactly one of their trailblazing beers, but it’s definitely a high quality American Black Ale (or whatever you want to call it). I think the aggressive hops are the most impressive aspect. They’re full of flavor, but somehow complement the dark malts rather than overshadow them. Works really well. If you haven’t had the opportunity to try this one, it’s definitely worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 01:45:38 | More by prototypic

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a dark black color with some brown mixed in and a finger of frothy khaki colored head. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is bursting with citrus and earthy hops with some roasted and lightly burnt malts and some smoke.

T - Starts off with a nice kick of citrus hops with some grapefruit flavor and some bitterness alongside some roasted caramel malts and a hint of smoke. Through the middle, some more earthy hops come through with more citrus flavor as well and some stronger bitterness. The finish continues the big hop trend with some stronger earthy hops, plenty of bitterness, with some smoky and burnt malts.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a bit bitter and dry finish.

D - Very drinkable. Really big hop flavor that is a bit unbalanced, but I really find myself enjoying the boldness of it.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 07:45:56 | More by ngeunit1

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.22/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer is near black with a finger of thick, beige head. Plenty of lacing cascades down the walls of the pint glass.

Great aroma with pine, malt, roast, hops.

Nice flavor as well. Surprisingly good. I just never know what to expect from Short's. The roast and hop components are blended beautifully.

Lingering pleasant hop bitterness in the finish. Thin to medium bodied. Nice feel.

A stellar example of the style. I would definitely have this again. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 03:38:27 | More by Huhzubendah

Fanhitter

4.18/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on draft at Ashley's in Westland on 11-28-2012

Poured into a pint, this beer looks as sinister as a no-headed Guinness. Not quite as brown and muddy as far as looks go, but just as opaque. The meniscus of the pint is a thin layer of bubbles. The lacing on the side of the glass resembles a trashy garter belt after a big draw. Love it.

Smells of a musty, pruny hop character. Nothing spectacular as far as the nose is concerned, but a mild sweet aroma creeps in unexpectedly.

Tastes of a powerful murky hoppiness with a subtle caramel/basil flavor. I know it sounds weird, but the creamy aromatic nature works adversely with the heavy, dry maltiness. This is the risk/reward complex that I feel like a lot of Short's beers aim for, and flavor-wise, this is one of the best.

The mouthfeel is mild but robust; the hop note adds to the texture, but the subtle bubbling adds a small bite to the initial draw. It's easy drinking but a bit thorny; however, it works with a beer that drinks so easy.

Overall, this is one of my favorite seasonal beers from SHORTS. I'll admit, I like a lot of Short's, but I look forward to this one year after year, and this annual batch is great. I reccomend this beer to everyone who appreciates an experimental brew.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2012 02:26:56 | More by Fanhitter

afdempse

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks again to Huhzubendah for the bottle!

Pours a very dark brown/black. Tan head that provides nice bubbly lacing.

Aroma is huge. A heady west-coast hop experience, but with a hint of roasted barley that adds a very nice side-note.

Powerful pine up front with a surprisingly smooth bitterness for a beer of this level of hoppiness. Roasty malt underscores the multiple layers of hoppy goodness. Finishes dry with nicely hidden alcohol.

Overall, this is a very drinkable Black IPA that balances fresh hops and dark malts with ease.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 03:21:38 | More by afdempse

StarshipPoopers

Ontario (Canada)

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours black with a creamy off-white head. Great retention which lasts for the entirety of the glass. Lets some light through with a ruby hue, but mostly opaque. Not much in the way of lacing.

S - Aroma is mostly hops. Mainly grapefruit, with some faint notes of citrus that are much milder, almost floral. You can smell the malt in there balancing the hops, but it doesn't really impart much to the aroma. Perhaps a very faint aroma of dark chocolate, but not very noticeable.

T - Quite a strange taste, especially the first few sips (in a good way). All of the flavours seem to hit you at once. You've got the bitterness and kick from the grapefruit hops, with a fruity citrus sweetness in the middle (which is much more pronounced then those subtle citrus aromas in the nose), and at the same time you have a heavily roasted malt base. Having all of these flavours come out simultaneously gives it a much heavier taste than I was expecting. The sweetness dies off quickly upon swallowing, but the finish lasts for quite a while and consists of the grapefruit hops and roasted malts.

M - As I mentioned, the palate really gives it a heavier presence. Medium bodied with an appropriate amount of carbonation.

O - A rather solid BIPA. Not my favourite, as the sweetness in the middle kind of threw it off a bit for me, but it's a nicely balanced BIPA that I would certainly like to try again.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 05:30:14 | More by StarshipPoopers

WeisGuy

New York

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap during Short's night at Ashley's in Ann Arbor. Excited to see Short's take on the relatively new Black IPA style.

Pours a shade or two short of black with a one-inch light tan head. Nice head retention and great lacing. Huge, fresh-cut piney hop aroma leaps out of the glass with milder roasted malt and dark chocolate notes providing a little depth. As with the nose, the flavor is dominated by bitter, piney hop flavors. There are light notes of roasty malt and dark chocolate, but the hops play center stage here. Enjoyable, but perhaps a little too one-dimensional for the style. The finish is quite bitter, dry and a little hot. Slightly light-bodied with moderate carbonation and alcohol warming. Quite bitter but still pretty drinkable as the flavors are clean and fresh tasting. Overall, very good stuff though I'd like to see a slight bit more chocolate and roast malt to complement the piney hops. Here's to hoping they bottle this stuff at some point.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2010 01:21:34 | More by WeisGuy

SpdKilz

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance – Pours into a tulip with about a finger of tan head that quickly dissipates. Held up to the fading sunlight, not a hint of light can penetrate this dark beer.

Smell – Earthy, charred malts, massive hops, malty backbone, pine, and some caramel.

Taste – More hop forward than the nose would lend. A smack of hops up front, which is then followed by charred, smoky malt flavors. Slight pine, bittersweet chocolate, and the slight caramel at the end.

Mouthfeel – Lighter bodied, decent carbonation.

Overall – Honestly, a solid beer from shorts that isn’t a “crazy” beer. This is a well done beer that should be in Short’s everyday lineup. It’s nice to see that Short’s can do both “everyday” beers and crazy one’s too. Would buy again for sure.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 01:26:36 | More by SpdKilz

zoso1967

Michigan

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bludgeon Yer Eye pours your classic “black IPA” deep dark brown. It has a bit of a walnut hue to it and a nice light tan head that fades to a stubborn ring. Lacing is quite nice.

The aroma is equal parts hoppy and roasty. It reminds me a lot of a hoppy porter with notes of pine and slightly burnt toffee, as well as a bit of coffee.

The flavor has a bit more roastyness present, as well as a surprising and pleasant caramel sweetness. piney hops are also there, but more in reserve. Cocoa, coffee, toffee some caramel and a bit of floral character also make themselves known. This is definitely roastier than your run of the mill India black ale.

The mouthfeel is medium with a subdued carbonation. It finishes fairly dry and leaves some charred notes on the palate after swallowing.

Overall I think that, while quite different from a lot of other examples of this style, this beer is a very good and very interesting version of a dark and hoppy ale. I tend to like the renditions of this style that lead more toward the hops, but this one really hits the spot, and with a lower ABV than most it is quite sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 02:07:33 | More by zoso1967

mattcrill

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aroma: Big resiny and citrus hop notes up front. Powdery hop resins dominate the aroma. Clean fermetation character. No fruity esters or malt character noted. Balance is an American hop bomb.

Appearance: Dark brown with shoe leather highlights. Sudsy and sticky off-white head.

Flavor: More citrus and pine hop flavor up front. Light background biscuity malt notes that are quickly beaten back by the American hops. Balance is firmly bitter with a hint of background roastiness. Finish is clean and dry. Lingering hoppy goodness in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium carbonation. No astringency or alcohol heat.

Overall impression: A nice, firmly hopped Black IPA. The IPA character is firmly in charge here and most of the time except for the color I was thinking IPA all the way. Still, the dark roasted malt character does make a quick appearance here and there and keeps it interesting. Another winner from Short's.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 17:15:27 | More by mattcrill

webmanspidey

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle in a pint glass. This is a brownish black color with around half an inch of head. Smell is a mix of sweet honey, molasses, hops, and pine. Taste is a well balanced mix between caramelized malts and hops. This is easy to drink and tasty. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 22:14:10 | More by webmanspidey

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle; Flick's Liquors; in a tumbler.

A: The black ale is appropriate, a deep cola/coffee brown that verges on black. Darker crimson colors come through near the base of my glass. An off-white head serves as a visually appealing contrast. Lacing follows as the head recedes, thick sheafs all around the tumbler.

S: Wow! That's a strong aroma! Sweet and bittersweet chocolate and coffee, maybe even lactic sweetness, mix with a rich grapefruit citrus aroma. Very sweet with dark bitterness at every turn. I really can't tell which aspect stands out more, or which one I like more.

T: Stout up front, hops in the back, beer's version of a mullet. The stout is rich, dark with chocolate and burnt malts. A lactic smoothness cuts into the malts but is quickly enveloped by the citrusy hops. The citrus quickly ramps up, adding a bitter sweetness. The grapefruit cuts through the stout nicely, a sweetness that yields back to the deeply roasted grains. The parting shot of deep roast and sweet hops is nice.

M: Another winner, bringing together a richly roasted stout and a huma lupa bite. With every sip, my faith is restored.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 01:25:30 | More by akorsak

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into pint glass, bottled on 10/30/2012. Pours hazy very dark reddish brown color with a nice 1-2 finger dense khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Nice spotty foamy lacing clings down the glass. Aromas of huge grapefruit, mango, orange zest, pineapple, toast, pine, roasted malt, light char, grass, floral, and light herbal. Damn nice aromas with a great hop profile and solid roasted malt backbone. Taste of big dark roasted malt, coffee, grapefruit, orange zest, pine, light char, pineapple, toast, floral, grass, and piney spiciness. Nice amount of pine and roasted bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, toast, pineapple, roasted malt, light char, coffee, pine, floral, grass, and piney spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Great flavor balance and hop complexity; with a nice roasted malt backbone that is well balanced with the hop flavors; almost zero cloying flavors are present on the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and sticky mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with nearly zero warming present on the finish. Overall this is an excellent Black IPA! Great hop flavor profile and balance with roasted malts; and very smooth to drink. A very enjoyable offering as expected.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 06:13:55 | More by superspak

lnashsig

Texas

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Many thanks to GordianKnot for the chance to try this one. Poured from bottle into DFH snifter. Pours a pitch black creamy pour, nice off white fluffy head with great retention. Smell- nice citrus hops, roasted malt. Taste- awesome hops presence here- it creates prickly bitterness, followed by nice citrus and tropical hops, followed by that mocha, roasty finish. This one is a winner. Mouthfeel is really nice and creamy- full bodied for sure, esp more evident as it warms.

I would seek out again for sure, and thanks again for the chance to taste!

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2011 18:39:12 | More by lnashsig

salvo

Indiana

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours dep rich dark brown towards black under a tan creamy head that sticks around and etches the glass.

An excellent black IPA; recognizably an ale rather than stout or porter. Nose is rich with soy sauce and licorice over floral and herbal hops. Some sweet malt also in the nose.

Drinks smooth and dry with loads of body and IPA complexity, balancing the hops throughout the tasting as the roasty malts give way to layers of complexity. The soy sauce saltiness and pungency stays through the unwinding flavors of roasted grain. Ends salty-licorice, then dry herbal hops. Deep dark chocolate once the beer warms to room temperature.

Medium to rich mouthfeel. Not buttery, but moving towards full bodied. Short's nailed this one, and the label art is eye-catching.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 02:46:11 | More by salvo

GRPunk

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a nonic pint.

A- A moderate pour left a 1-finger, light brown head atop a rich, mahogany body. The head sustains at a nice, foamy lace and leaves fantastic sticky webs about the glass.

S- Wonderful, resiny hops rush forth as the bottle pops creating a citrus and earthy scent that seems really fresh and clean. A little warmth brings out an underlying grainy aroma that offers the slightest chocolate and light smoke. Relieved that it wasn't too hop centric.

T- Very hop-centric at first. Lots going on within the hoppiness like citrus, grass, and herbal flavors. Light, grainy flavor peeks through on further inspection, bringing a needed balance. Warmth increases the malt profile suggesting a little chocolate and cereal (cocoa puffs?). A the while, this is still a hoppy beer. It is labeled a Black IPA after all.

M- Moderate carbonation and body. Slight, grainy texture is pleasant.

O- I initially thought this was just a one-dimensional hop bomb. Glad it wasn't. Just enough from the malts to keep it in balance. It's really an easy drinker. I could put back more than a few in a single sitting. Short's has definitely moved up the ranks of my favorite breweries with consistently solid traditional beers to compliment their ongoing experimental stuff. Which is an American Black Ale? Let the debate begin.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 15:58:47 | More by GRPunk

GilGarp

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle served cool into a pint glass.

Bludgeon Yer Eye PA is a very dark brown color with redish highlights and good clarity. The head is thick and sticky leaving nice lace behind.

Aroma is both hoppy and roasty in almost equal measure. It's like coffee with a squeeze of orange.

Flavor is pretty intense with a big roasty malt backbone and lots of citrusy hops. Just like the style should be with a nice blend of stout and IPA.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and nicely carbonated. Very bitter but with enough sweetness to give some balance.

Overall a really nice example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 02:28:42 | More by GilGarp