Grand Teton Trout Hop Black IPA, Black India Pale Ale brewed and bottled by Grand Teton Brewing Company, Victor, Idaho. 8.5% ABV. An Imperial Black Ale, shall we say. IBUs 117.
Solid blackness in the glass, with a tannish brown head holding firm on top, leaving lace.
Aroma: Mild hop bitterness, muted by malt. Little grassy. Little bit of bright, piney hops. Again, held back by the dark malts.
Taste: Chocolate hits first, very rich and malty mouthfeel. Bits of molasses, even treacle, with a touch of roast. Full-bodied, well-balanced, just the right mix of malt and hop, for this weird hybrid style. Silky smooth. Despite the higher alcohol and the higher IBUs, this is remarkably easy…wait, there it is. Yep, it's creeping up. And the high bitterness is kept in check by the rich, sweet malt. I can still drink it down with ease, but wouldn't want to have more than a couple.
Once again, I find a "black IPA" that I actually like. The hops aren't overwhelming, and don't confuse the flavors. Although, I'm still stuck in the same situation, where I wish it had more hops and were less hoppy, or less hoppy, more dark malts. One of the other. This one is just fine. Good beer, and I can drink it.
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