Rogue Brewing Co.'s Dad's Little Helper is an annual Father's day release that changes in style each year. Last year it was a Malt Liquor. This year it is a Black IPA (also sometimes called a Cascadian Dark Ale or CDA)
6ish% ABV and 70 IBU
Review:
Appearance: This beer pours very dark-- similar to a porter or an extremely dark brown ale. The head is light tan and is quite thick.
Aroma: Roasty, citrus and earthy hops, chocolate.
Taste: ROAST! Some grain astringency, a bit of a sour hop character and what I think is Chinook hop bittering.
Mouthfeel: wheaty, earthy, gritty. Slightly chalky... like walking down a dirt road and a car speeds past you kicking up a dust storm.
(Side Note: Another Black IPA / CDA that I rated can be found here)
Overall:
This style is still being defined. As such, it is a little tough to grade it on what it should be. Still, I'll just write what my taste buds are telling me: Too wheaty, too much astringency from the roasted grains, too porter/stout like to call it an IPA.
Grade: B-
Barrel Man says,
"Sorry, Dad."
(Bottle Purchased at Liquor Collection)
