Beer – #715 – Schipper’s – Chinook Black IPA
After the dark clouds of the last couple of days I needed something to brighten the day, or a dark beer. It is a glorious evening outside and we might even be eating ‘al fresco’ as they might say. I’m going, for no reason, with a Rush of beer, a rush of music, rush to the high numbers and rush, there’s a party!
Smoky. Coffee. Flavour.
From the FYO station this is 1 litre of beer that is 5.6% ABV, and about 170 calories a serve size, this would be 4.42 standard drink units
Brewed by Schipper’s Beer Company in the style that is of a Black IPA and they’re daily local to me in Mt Eden, Auckland, New Zealand
Black IPA, Chinook single-hop. It’s back, but bigger and blacker than before.
All things IPA and Dark, unlike the hair which now is almost white.
Our multiple award-winning Chinook IPA has been reinvented as a more mellow, maltier brew, but still with the distinctive fresh hoppy taste.
It’s the perfect IPA that makes a refreshing change for those wanting a couple of quiet bevies in front of a roaring fire (if it’s cold) or a well-earned end-of-day restorative in the sun (if it’s warm).
So, what could possibly go wrong? Top flipped with a loud pop, the aroma I thought was of chocolate, maybe that’s the aroma I want it to be? but then it settles slightly to a more hoppy sweetness..
Pour is dark and it is with a head that is an embarrassment ti my man card, however it looks divine light mocha, and there was surprisingly very little spillage, so I redeemed a point.
In the glass there is much more a happy hoppy aroma that is more to an IPA style, but the taste is really dark and rich and it has a decent but not death valley arid.
I re-read the chinook expected hop profile and it’s pretty close, although I might not go with spicy in this partial beer, it is bitter but only briefly and not loudly,
An interesting beer then, but somewhat also underwhelming, there isn’t a lot by way of body, but then you might get that with just a single hop profile, so I don’t know that is really a shortcoming or as a result of. Does drink well though, and looks brilliant in the glass as supping leaves lacing that is decorative and bit impressive.
I believe that this has been a beer of higher ABV than this iteration, and that might be a good thing too, Quite liking that chocolate or smoky aroma that this gives out to, making each mouthful a smile.
The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 7 of its things from the thing. I think this is a good beer, and it is enjoyable, but it isn’t something that you can explore, it is what it is, that’s it, the all of it, fridge cold or warmer, the single hop profile. I wasn’t disappointed though, as it is a pleasant and uncluttered beer that suited the mood, and as I’m finishing this outside in the sun, the climate.
The double dip review
- Am I enjoying it? I am in a quaffing a beer carelessly kind of way.
- Would I have another? I like some of it, and if I was offered I’d probably be ok with it. out and about though, if there were other options they might take my eye.
- Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I don’t know, as ingle hop profile does have some downside, but it is nice drinking, looks great and has aroma that is wonderful and it’d be an easy share.
Music for this : the equally as unusual ‘ Sia ‘ with ‘ 1000 forms of fear ‘ on spotify of course. Sia Kate Isobelle Furler, usually referred to mononymously as Sia, is an Australian singer and songwriter. This is a track called ‘Alive’
BLACK IPA
An emerging beer style roughly defined as a beer with IPA-level hopping, relatively high alcohol and a distinct toasty dark malt character. Typically lacks the roastiness and body of a strong stout and is hoppier than a strong porter. Expressive dry-hopping is common. Also called India Dark Ale, India Black Ale, Cascadian Dark Ale, Dark IPA, and sometimes India Brown Ale.
A life just as ordinary 