Well-designed ‘Planets Series’ release (circa 2014) is Bell’s first foray into Black IPA styling. Dehusked black malt roast reinforces syrupy dark chocolate entry that peaks above zesty citra-hopped resilience and resinous pine sapping. Caramel-burnt molasses follow-thru sweetens dark mocha theme above lemony grapefruit-pineapple bittering as well as black grape tartness and distant clementine-tangerine-peach-mango inkling.
Caliginous mocha-influenced IPA brings dark-roasted black chocolate malting to resinous piney hop bittering and mild nut char, leaving stylish grapefruit-pineapple contingent way in the back. Light cocoa, coffee and raw molasses undertones fasten richly bittersweet mocha finish.
On tap at Ambulance, fascinating Imperial Cascadian Dark places black-patented dark chocolate malting atop sappy pine tarring – blindsiding brisk grapefruit, pineapple, orange rind and black grape fruiting with a heavily roasted hop char. Tertiary black licorice, black coffee and charcoal illusions deepen massive mocha madness.
On tap at Taphouse Grille, noirish full-body layers dry black-malted dark chocolate resin above wood-smoked charcoal singe and relegated piney citric bittering. Nut-charred black coffee, dark cocoa, raw molasses and fudge tones secure heavy mocha theme. Solidly robust.
On tap at Blue Ribbon Tavern, fine dry-bodied dark ale showcases nutty mocha malting way above contrasted citric-spiced dried fruiting and resinous piney hop bittering. Raisin, plum, prune and port illusions take a backseat to molasses-sugared black chocolate and dark cocoa overtones.
On tap at Ambulance, richly hop-charred Cascadian Dark Ale brings dry pine resin and ashen charcoal tarring to forceful dark-roasted mocha malting. Minor grapefruit influence nearly drowned out by dark cocoa, black chocolate and muddy coffee overtones. Charred nuttiness reinforces massive mocha appeal.
Well-rounded hybrid leans towards the dark side as dark-roasted mocha malts and cookie dough yeast upend piney citric fruiting. Resinous hop char thickens caramel-burnt dark cocoa and brown chocolate impulse as well as light ashen nuttiness. Grapefruit fondue likeness emerges alongside lesser marmalade, peach and apricot illusions beneath the massive mocha maelstrom.
On tap at Ambulance Brew House, fully expressive dark-roasted mocha malt creaminess nearly overwhelms dark-fruited constituency. Coffee-sugared black chocolate frontage, black patent malt subsidy and dark cocoa reminder get soaked in sappy molasses as blackened charcoal-singed hop bittering deepens the contagious mocha prominence. Burgundy-wined black grape and black cherry tones settle beneath the surface. In the can, thickly frothed mahogany-bodied Cascadian Dark Ale seeps black malted dark chocolate bittering into mild coffee sugaring and ashen hop-roasted nuttiness as well as IPA-suited orange peeled yellow grapefruit twist.
One of the best Cascadian Dark Ales marketed, bringing dark-roasted black chocolate insistence, smoky black patent malting and ashen piney hop bittering to less prominent dried fruiting. Pineapple, grapefruit and clementine fondue illusions straddle mighty charcoal-seared mocha malt mass. Tertiary mango, papaya and orange marmalade undertones vie for space in ‘noirish’ environment.
On tap at Blue Ribbon Tavern, excellent hybridized Cascadian Dark Ale overcomes any preconceived notions by adding peat-smoked rye to dark-roasted chocolate malting and resinous hop-charred dried fruiting. Black tea-like pungency, light earthen musk and piney charcoal singe deepen chalky cocoa insistence above moderate orange-peeled grapefruit, pineapple and green grape bittering. Best of class.
Embraceable black chocolate-smoked dark malt roast contrasts bitter hop-charred wood burn before reaching piney citric peel center. Dried cocoa, treacle and bonfire toffee illusions reinforce deep mocha influence.
Heavy dark-roasted graining, smoked mocha malting and Blackstrap molasses sinew envelop bitter chocolate-cocoa stead above piney citric hop restraint. Subtle grapefruit, black grape and pineapple fruiting picks up amiable spruce-tipped bittering as well as ashen nuttiness.
