1.23.13 - A Trip To The Baltic

It's been a little while..  I know.  Work is crazy busy and I spent last weekend at a beer fest for Backlash.  Had to take a few days off of the hooch before getting back into the reviews...

It's got a touch cold around these parts the last few days, so I went a little richer for this one.

Samuel Adams - Dark Depths Baltic IPA

Ok, it's not THAT rich.  But I'm sitting on a few gems that I want to hold onto a bit longer and this one needs to get drank soon!  A blend of American IPA, British Porter and a roastier, higher ABV brew.  7.6% ABV and 55 IBUs.  Fairly thicker pour, molasses-brown with a thick tan head that lingers, leaving little islands of head towards the end and a TON of lacing.  Plums and raisins, molasses and a citrus note. Roastiness overpowers all of this.   It's slick on the tongue and has a surprisingly up front booze bite.  Rich, sweet fruits and malts - a touch of smoke and roast followed by the plums, figs and molasses noted on the nose.  Touches of dark cherries and candied blueberries come through riding a wave of chocolate, a la a heavy Stout.  But a touch of citrus hoppiness pokes it's head out at the end to keep it's namesake, but does so in a medicinal, metallic fashion.  It's warming, roasty and sweet.. but doesn't strike a great balance.

- - 6 Hops