Keg at BDSB - London. Pours deep black-brown with a creamy tan head. The nose holds well roasted malts, licorice, fresh coffee. Light-medium sweet flavor with hefty bitter dark chocolate, some raisins, dried berries, torched earth and pine, burnt toast. Medium bodied, lightly chewy, with average carbonation. Resinous on the finish, with continuing prominent baking cocoa character, some further burnt but still oily pine, orange rind, hints of dried dark fruits. A really solid CDA overall. Nicely layered.

Draft at Brewdog Shepherd’s Bush. Black IPA goodness. Opaque black / dark brown coloured pour with a lasting frothy light tan head. Aroma is nutty toasted pine tips, orange rind. Flavour is composed of smooth bitter black roast, toasted pine needles, wood. Assertive smooth Hoo bitterness. Piny. Palate is medium. Light bodied, highish carbonation. Little bubble gum.

Bottle split on the train to Windsor, thanks to the Wingmane, 17/11/15. Light black with a decent tan covering. Nose is light roast, charr, dark fruit rinds, spice, toffee, pine needle. . Taste comprises liquorice, bitter roast, earthy tropicana, blood orange, cocoa rub. Medium bodied, fine carbonation, semi drying close with earthy hop bitterness. Decent CDA ... ticks all the boxes well.