Hoptopia is a unique and down to earth beer tasting and review resource by Lee Williams
Phillips_black_touque_india_dark_ale

Brew Review #109

Phillips Black Touque India Dark Ale

Black IPA

Phillips, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

I RATE THIS BEER: 88

RELEASE: Year Round // THE ABV. 6.5% | IBU’s. ? // THE NOSE: Chocolate Syrup, Cigarette Tobacco, Oreo Cookie, Liquid Smoke, Bacon, Oyster Shell // THE TASTE: Wild Rice, Cocoa Powder, Fennel, Chipotle, Rosemary, Chicory // THE BOTTOMLINE: Want to educate your palate in the differences between the common India Pale Ale and the emerging - some say alleged - new Black IPA style? If you do, then simply get your hands on a bottle of this archetypal Black IPA from British Columbia. With little pomp and circumstance this fairly off the radar Canadian effort demonstratively and in an appealing way, melds the floral scents and biting hop character of a serviceable session IPA with some of Black IPAs' most obvious and defining characteristics - an earthy rasp, smoked cocoa smoothness and an ashy finish. This is solid and interesting from every angle. // THE BACKBONE: ? // PRICE POINT: $5 | 1x 22oz bottle //

Food Pairings:

Mac & Cheese Smoked Fish Bangers & Mash Fish Pie