5.5

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5

This was poured into an English pub styled pint glass at The Blue Stone, Waterbury, VT.
The appearance was a dark brown almost black color with a one finger white to off white foamy head that dissipated within less than a minute. Lingering lacing runs here and there.
The smell was probably the most bitter sharp piney harshness I’ve ever smelled in a Black IPA, whoah, only after a good deal of warming, some light roasty dark coffee flavors come out and then a slight tingle of sour citrus.
The taste was basically the same with the finish being more pronounced on the sour portion.
On the palate, this one sat about a light on the body. Sessionable, definitely, even with that sour finish, still good.
Overall, Hermit Thrush doing the inevitable in the state of Vermont, taking a black IPA,, making it sessionable and then giving their \"sour\" brand. Interesting but for me, I think I’d rather have more balanced black IPA’s out on the market.