Sunday, December 22, 2013

Troubadour Westkust Black Imperial IPA: Review

Br. The Musketeers
Ursel, Belgium


9.2% abv
1pt 9.4oz bottle
$12.99

Appearance: black with a brown hued body (cordovan) with a one to two finger tan head that leaves some sticking lacing on the glass


Aroma: soft floral hops at first; sea salt dark chocolate; roasted barley malts; as the ale warms a hint of piney hops show up

Flavors/Mouthfeel: soft yet tasty hops up front with a piney like immediate aftertaste; piney and citrus hops on the long aftertaste; active carbonation adds plenty of fizz to the palate; the toasted barley malts swirl around late on the palate and blends in with the piney note; salty on the back; nice alcohol warmth – nothing strong or boozy; sticky oily hops makes for a long lingering aftertaste

to me rather simple at first and then you think about it and it is an interesting ride; smooth at first then the hops build to a crescendo – not boring – to me this is an elegant Black Imperial IPA; it is not a bold – slap you in the face Imperial IPA – I have to see what the hop heads have to say on Beer Advocate – Wow, they gave it a 90 with 59 reviews; I expected lower from them; I would give it a 90 to 93 as well. 

Yesterday I sampled Narwhal Imperial Stout and today
Troubadour Black Imperial IPA
Who knows what lurks in the deep dark places to be explored

To the Point: an elegant style Black Imperial IPA; smooth on the delivery with the hoppy style building; pleasing dark roasted barley to make it interesting; take your time drinking this ale for I am halfway thru the bottle and I can feel the 9.2 abv

For the Detroit Lions game today: who cares - Lions lose 31 to 24

This Ale has some aging; good till 2016

1 comment:

  1. Yes, you can send your selfie to behackmann@gmail.com
    All sizes needed for beers can be flat, perky,
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