Batch #171: Pitch black coloured body with absolutely no light penetrating the beer at all and a thin, oily deep dark brown head - very nice looking, like an oyster stout almost and closes to an imperial ipa - not a black IPA. Aroma of biting piney and citrusey hops coupled with a ridiculously amount of deeply roasted malt, alcohol, anise and a bit of vanilla. Full-bodied; Strong roasty flavour with anise, oak, vanilla, cherries and bunches of bright hops all come together very nicely with one trying to overtake the others ever single second - but the roasted malt winning out most of the time. Aftertaste is super deep with a lot of complexity, but a big bitterness related to the malt and a little coffee note, all with a light sweetness and some pungent hops - still after a few minutes following a sip. Overall, a great black IPA, with tons of flavour, a great complexity and easily one of the best black IPAs or hoppy [lighter] imperial stouts i’ve ever had. If this was labelled three floyds, it would be even higher rated - but this is the real deal, a great beer that should be sampled if you can find it..and if you can find it, it’s best to buy a few bottles - I wish I would have, but i’ll try to find it again the next time in Chicago! I sampled this 65 cL bottle purchased from Binny’s in Chicago (South Loop), Illinois on 21-August-2013 for US$9.99 sampled at home in Washington in advance of running the 2013 USMC Marine Corps Marathon on 25-October-2013.

Bottle. Pours deep black with a large creamy brown head and great lacing. Aroma is pine resin, light citrus, roasted malt. Flavor is the same, hoppy and roasty, notes of chocolate, date. Medium body, oily mouthfeel. Nice beer.

22oz bomber. Big minty chocolate aroma, big specialty malt. Thick, sugary mouthfeel. Steady green citrus, piny hops. Rich chocolate tones, a touch minty. Roasty coffee, oily big flavors. Nice offering.