United Nations of Beer

W10 Pitch Black IPA

by Bret
(Las Vegas, NV)

W 10 Pitch Black IPA (6.5% ABV)
Widmer Brothers Brewing, Portland, OR
Visit the UNOB's Oregon breweries and beers guide

This beer is definitely a change from the traditional IPA you are use to drinking. The color, aroma and taste are all just a little different from the standard version of an IPA that you might be used to.

I don't know if the old adage holds true, once you go black, you'll never go back; but this is a good beer and one of those purchases that I look forward to making in the future.

The aroma is a little milder than the usual IPA with a slightly moderate hoppy aroma and a sweet overtone of toffee and dark chocolate. W 10 has a light roasted malt scent which couples with the bitter nature of the hops to create a well rounded smell. The appearance is completely different than a traditional IPA, deep amber color almost black, as the name would suggest, with no haze or cloudiness. The head is a creamy brownish tan that laces the glass as you consume the beer and lingers on top of the glass.

The flavor is very full bodied and rich with hops and malt but with a mild roasted chocolaty aftertaste. There is a strong bitterness that is not overwhelming but complimentary of the sweetness of the hops with the dark roasted malts.

The bitterness coats the linings of the mouth with malt and hops. The mouthfeel is smooth in texture which coats the palate with roasted earthy flavors and refreshing carbonation.

This is an excellent beer, great flavor, carbonation, texture and mouthfeel. The flavors intensify as the beer warms like any good dark beer, and the chocolate and bitter tones become more evident. Not exactly the IPA you would expect, but equally as good.