Blacksmith India Black Ale - Village Brewery (Canada - Alberta - Calgary) 5.4%

Blacksmith India Black Ale - Village Brewery (Canada - Alberta - Calgary) 5.4%

Pours a nearly opaque black in a glass with a creamy off-white head that leaves nice lacing. A smoky, coffee aroma with some wood tones and just a hint of hops. Milk chocolate flavour first and foremost, black coffee flavours as well as some mellow smoke tastes and touches of caramel. Moderate amounts of both sweetness and bitterness: sweeter in the middle, more bitter in the finish. Some faint green, slightly astringent and slightly piney hops flavours throughout.

I was hoping for a stronger hop flavour on the lines of a milder Storm King Imperial Stout but Village Brewery's Blacksmith India Black Ale is still a fine dark ale even though it may leave some hop enthusiasts a little underwhelmed.