Phillips Brewing Co. – Puzzler Belgian Black IPA (2013)

Rating

4.2 out of 5

Appearance

4.1 out of 5

Aroma

4 out of 5

Flavour

3.8 out of 5

Mouthfeel

Total

4

4 out of 5

Overview

• Pros:

  Nice hop profile with serious dark tones

• Cons:

  rather mellow given the beer

• Conclusion:

  Delicious and hoppy Black IPA with a dark side.

Phillips Brewing Co. – Puzzler Belgian Black IPA (2013) Review

The Puzzler is back for another year to throw another question into the BC craft beer options. This ale pours a near black colour with three fingers of sticky head. The large bubbles in this head leave a thick film of lacing on the side of the glass. The aroma of this black IPA is a combination of piney hops, chocolate, orange and a touch of alcohol (although less than 2012) . The taste by contrast is thick and dark with the hops kicking in fairly quickly. Slight notes of chocolate along side some toasted malts and a touch of smoke build the body into a bitter, slightly boozy finish. For being very dark and quite high in alcohol this beer is surprisingly light and easy drinking with a dry, bittered finish. Being a very dark beer that has the IBU of a fairly intense IPA this beer is a great choice for the hop-head looking for a dark and warming fall flavour

Alcohol – 7.3%
Size – 650ml
Price – $7.00 (Cold Beer and Wine)
phillipsbeer.com
Limited Release: October 2013