Beer of the Weekend #559: Green Flash Black IPA
As you can probably tell from the lack of new posts, I was very busy and unmotivated this week. It is time to drink a couple beers, relax, and lubricate the creative gears (but don’t expect anything else tonight).
The beer of the weekend is Black IPA, brewed by the Green Flash Brewing Company of San Diego, California.
Serving type: 22-ounce bottle. The “Best By” date printed on the neck is “07/21/14.”
Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is black but not opaque. A finger of tight, draft-like, buttery, light tan head dissipates slowly, leaving an even skim, spotted bubbles, and a ring around the edge.
Smell: Strong grapefruit and orange citrus makes way for a malt base at first. Then cara cara orange, or perhaps ruby red grapefruit, emerges. Every time I put my nose to the glass the smell changes. Toasted malts, caramel, toffee, a little chocolate, cherry syrup, and floral hops.
Taste: Though the alcohol is completely masked in the aroma, it is noticeable in an underlying sting. It fades, thankfully, but is still noticeable. Toasted malts, caramel, a nice bitterness, and cherry syrup or licorice. The citrus is there but not prominent; it is mostly overshadowed by the alcohol and hop bitterness. As the beer warms, the flavors blend nicely into a pleasing medley.
Drinkability: This is tasty stuff but I think the ABV is a touch too high. Or at least the alcohol is a little too noticeable in the flavor.
Fun facts about GFGIPA:
-Style: Black IPA. Duh.
-Price: $5.99/bottle at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 7.2 percent ABV.
-Black IPA is part of Green Flash’s limited release, Hop Odyssey series. According to the Green Flash website, Black IPA is the series release for February and March.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
The beer of the weekend is Black IPA, brewed by the Green Flash Brewing Company of San Diego, California.
Serving type: 22-ounce bottle. The “Best By” date printed on the neck is “07/21/14.”
Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is black but not opaque. A finger of tight, draft-like, buttery, light tan head dissipates slowly, leaving an even skim, spotted bubbles, and a ring around the edge.
Smell: Strong grapefruit and orange citrus makes way for a malt base at first. Then cara cara orange, or perhaps ruby red grapefruit, emerges. Every time I put my nose to the glass the smell changes. Toasted malts, caramel, toffee, a little chocolate, cherry syrup, and floral hops.
Taste: Though the alcohol is completely masked in the aroma, it is noticeable in an underlying sting. It fades, thankfully, but is still noticeable. Toasted malts, caramel, a nice bitterness, and cherry syrup or licorice. The citrus is there but not prominent; it is mostly overshadowed by the alcohol and hop bitterness. As the beer warms, the flavors blend nicely into a pleasing medley.
Drinkability: This is tasty stuff but I think the ABV is a touch too high. Or at least the alcohol is a little too noticeable in the flavor.
Fun facts about GFGIPA:
-Style: Black IPA. Duh.
-Price: $5.99/bottle at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 7.2 percent ABV.
-Black IPA is part of Green Flash’s limited release, Hop Odyssey series. According to the Green Flash website, Black IPA is the series release for February and March.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B+.
