Trillium Permutation #26: Black IPA

The Stats
Style: Black IPA
ABV: 7.3%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 3.99/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.37/5
- RateBeer: N/A

"Permutation is our experimental series of small batch offerings, showcasing the unique visions and innovative concepts developed by our brewing and cellar crew.

Permutation 26 presents an opaque deep black color. The nose reveals an interesting mix of roasty, chocolate, and dark pretzel aromas paired with notes of pine and an inviting floral scent. The palate follows with flavors of dried apricot, pine, juniper and a light roast character. Smooth, light bitterness, and a dry mouthfeel round out this Black IPA."

Pours to an impressively pitch black body with no other color in sight and a finger of fluffy, almond-colored head.

Juicy hops and pine on the aroma. Tree sap and earthy tree bark are abundant. At the same time, it is heavy on the roast with an underlying chocolate aroma. Red grape, raisins, and molasses are in the back along with a nutty sensation.

The initial flavor up front is lots of roast. Not as in malty, but I think it's more of a coffee roast. Along with that, juice-forward hops with flavors of oranges and pineapple are playing just as big a role. A cherry, almost cherry syrup, is prominent and adds a sweet quality to balance out the roast. The juicy flavors outweigh the roast as orange citrus is at the end of each swig as well as being the overall sensation on the finish. Not to be outdone, a bitter pine character sticks to everything all throughout. Making a return from the aroma is that mild chocolate flavor that has taken the form of cocoa powder and even some chocolate milk. Simply put: This is delicious.

The body is full with the roast and bitter qualities leaving the mouth sticky. The body is crisp, but also smooth. The alcohol is non-existent and since the citrus overpowers the roast for the most part, this is an easier drinking Black IPA when compared to most on the market.

Permutation #26 was one of, if not the, best Black IPA's I have ever had. It's hard to find a Black IPA that can maximize both the roast and the juicy hops, but this one packed in mounds of flavor to each side. The citrus side had a bigger influence which led to higher drinkability. At the same time, it did not completely obliterate the roasty side, which was still allowed to shine. I hope they bring this one back, and in cans, because this is a superb Black IPA.

Rating
9.5/10

Firestone Walker Leo vs Ursus: Wookus

The Stats
Style: Black IPA
ABV: 8.2%
Current Ratings...
- Untappd: 3.93/5
- Beer Advocate: 4.19/5
- RateBeer: 3.88/5

"Once thought to be extinct, the Wookey family comes roaring back with its wooliest progeny yet: an imperial black rye IPA that is wickedly hoppy, righteously spicy and fearsome in flavor. While exhibiting DNA from its Wookey Jack ancestry, Wookus offers next-generation attitude with amplified hop aromatics and a bit of rebellious dankness. The result is a beer that blends the familiar with the ferocious.  Right out of Firestone Walker mythology and into your glass—behold the beast that we call Wookus."

Looks black in appearance, but when you shine a light through it, it is actually the darkest shade of ruby red. The pour produced over three fingers of frothy, almond-colored head.

A roasted malt and black licorice presence are immediately noticeable on the aroma. Equal contribution from some fruity hops with orange peel add balance as does a little bit of pine.

The first thing I pick up is an abundance of rye and just a general spice cabinet of flavors. This Black IPA is staying grounded in the Black more than the IPA aspect. Dark malts and coffee grounds create a thud of bitterness, but the bitter bite is also attributed to some dank hop flavors. Additionally, there's a multi-grain bread malt taste which adds rustic qualities and keeps things relatively dry. The back end produces some citrus, but goes back to more roasty notes on the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is full and has moments of creaminess. Some of those licorice and roasty notes stick around after each sip and the abv is well-hidden.

The resurgence of this Firestone Walker Black IPA was a nice trip down memory lane for me. A really good Black IPA is hard to come by, so the fact that this is doing a comeback tour is a treat. This Black IPA leans on roast more than hops, but that's they way I like my Black IPAs. That being said, hoppy characteristics are still to be had and their bitterness compliments the darker, bitter notes from the darker side.

Rating
8.6/10

Founders Project Pam

The Stats
Style: Black IPA
ABV: 10.8%
Current Ratings...
- Beer Advocate: 4.19/5
- RateBeer: 3.91/5

As I've said before, the Founders "Backstage Series" has been hit or miss. When a brewery devotes time and effort into a library of special offerings, it is not unreasonable for the general public to expect some amazing beers. So when I hear an imperial Black IPA aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels, I have lofty expectations. How can Founders possibly fuck this up? Well...let me tell you...

Pours pitch black with a finger of eggshell-colored head.

Alcoholic maple syrup smacks you in the face on the aroma. It's actually quite overpowering as it is dominating the small amount of roasted notes from the base black IPA.

Again it's the maple syrup bourbon barrel that takes control, but I can't help but feel that any genuine bourbon taste is actually here. As I said on the aroma, the maple has more of a spirit, alcohol taste which is more like flavored booze rather than flavored bourbon. If Dr. McGillicuddy had a maple syrup version, then this would be it. To be honest I could end the review right here. Other than the alcohol and maple, I get nothing else. There are no flavors to even indicate a black IPA exists. There's no genuine hop flavor, no roastiness, and no stout-like qualities to speak of. I mean, nothing tastes bad, but this is a one-dimensional beer from a series that prides itself on complexity and uniqueness.

Mouthfeel is pretty standard for a black IPA. It's full-bodied and there is no alcohol sting with no unpleasant lingering flavors.

I am severely disappointed in this entry to the Founders Backstage Series. When I hear about an Imperial Black IPA aged in maple syrup bourbon barrels, I feel I had the right to expect a superb offering. I've been sipping on this for almost two hours trying to find something that is just more than maple syrup schnapps, but it just isn't going to happen. Granted, this isn't a booze-soaked alcoholic mess as the maple is sugary and sweet, but there's no bourbon and the base black IPA is completely obstructed by the aforementioned maple spirit taste. It's by no means repulsive and hard to drink, but considering what I was expecting, this was just a big cock tease. I'm sorry, Founders, but this was the Mark Reynolds of the Backstage Series as it swung and missed on a record level. This might be the point where I lose faith in Founders Backstage Series...and maybe even lose faith in Christ himself...ok, maybe not THAT bad, but this is still a failure.

Rating
6.6/10

Stone Enjoy By 01.01.16 Black IPA

The Stats
Style: Black IPA
ABV: 9.4%
Current Ratings...
- Beer Advocate: 4.20/5
- RateBeer: 3.9/5 (mean)

If you know me, then you know Stone IPA's and I don't get along. Maybe living on the East Coast with the abundance of delicious, unfiltered hop nukes has spoiled me, but I can't ever get behind most of the filtered, clear-bodied garlic/onion bombs coming from out West. Accordingly, the highly-regarded Stone Enjoy By series has also failed to impress me, but when I heard the Enjoy By series was going to step into Black IPA territory, my faith was renewed. To be able to strike the balance between hop juices and flavor with the roasty notes of a stout is an art. I really need Stone to deliver on this in order for them to keep me interested in their hoppy beers.

Sits pitch black in the glass and glows mahogany red when held up to the light. The pour produced two fingers of eggsehll-colored head.

Fruity hops on the nose with roasted malts. Reminds me of orange rind and dark coffee grounds.

Pretty much every Black IPA that I've ever had tended to lean more heavily on the roasted notes with supporting roles by hop juices. This on the other hand has switched the two as this is probably the juiciest Black IPA I've ever comes across while still maintaining the stout-like qualities of the style.

While orange on the nose, the fruits I get from the taste are peach and grapefruit, but the hops are still an hommage to the west coast with garlic and onion dankness, but not as overpowering.  As it warms, the roasted notes and dark coffee (especially some dark iced coffee) come front and center and are bigger than they were on the aroma. On the taste each side shares equal screen time where as the aroma had fruit juices at the front of the line. A lot of hop bitterness is present in the middle and on the finish, so in retrospect, the hops, bitterness, fruits, and roasted malts are all here and contribute at different stages. Good job all around.

With such a big fruit presence, I have to say the burnt coffee ground taste sticks to the back of my tongue and lingers for days. At times that kind of bitterness has me reaching for a sip of water, but I won't be writing a complaint to Stone Brewing any time soon. The beer itself is full-bodied for a big black double IPA (a BBDIPA if you will...*rimshot*). The 9.4% is nowhere to be found in the taste or the body as this isn't syrupy or even showing hints of a thick mouthfeel.

The standard Stone Enjoy By series has been met by me with mostly negative reactions. It depends on the batch, but most of the time I come away unsatisfied. When I head they were giving the same "Enjoy By" treatment to a Black IPA, I was fully on board and they did not disappoint. It's the fruitiest Black IPA I have ever had and it still reminds you of its dark roots with dark coffee and roasted malt presence. It's only in 22oz bombers now, but this, just like its standard Enjoy By brother, can easily sell just as well as a 6-pack and I would get it every time it came around my part of town.

Rating
9.1/10

Otter Creek Black IPA

The Stats
Style: Black IPA
ABV: 6.30%
Current Beer Advocate Rating: 3.81/5

Vermont is a mecca for the craft beer community on the Northeast. With so many highly-touted breweries it's easy to let some great beers slip through the cracks. I first remember having Otter Creek Black IPA almost two and a half years ago at a beer tasting and it was one of my favorite's of the day. I have never actually had it since, so this was pretty cool for me.

Black IPA's are hit or miss due to the taste being either too black (malty) or too IPA. Thankfully Otter Creek has found the right blend of both worlds.

The aroma is a flood of roasted malt and plenty of hops. Neither of which overpower one another.

A few sips in, you are hit with a combination of pine needles and juicy hops. A strong roasted presence is backed up by a citrusy, orange juice flavor. A very subtle, almost iced coffee bitterness on the finish along with that big, hop presence. It has a fluffy mouthfeel that goes down smoothly.

Easily one of, if not the best black IPA's I've ever had. It is such a robust beer for the style and almost stout-like with it's roasted qualities and fluffy mouthfeel.

Rating
9.3/10