beeritual:

Maine Beer Co “Weez”

92 A-

Weez is a black IPA brewed as the dark counterpart to Another One, using an altered malt bill with the same hop bill. It pours beautifully, opening in aromas detailed by herbal hop notes, roasty malts, and a sort of maple syrup sweetness.

The palate begins with roasted malts up-front, delivering a surprisingly deep body of dark chocolate that soon morphs into cold brewed coffee. A gentle sweetness rides on the underbelly like raw cane sugar. Hops emerge in herbal undertones that flow into a kick of bitterness. In contrast, citric hops rise toward a sour climax with highlights of grapefruit, followed by a soft bite of spicy hops. The malt roast continues to dig deeper, perhaps even greater than a so-called Black IPA should go (take a look at the impressive malt bill), but I really enjoy it. Resinous hops steal back the finish with evergreen oils that coat the mouth after subsequent sipping. The mouthfeel is creamy, smooth, and satisfying at first, developing toward a dry conclusion.

The bitterness accentuates the roast of the malt, then blows it away in a display of hop flavors on the back-end. Bitterness takes the lead over sourness, and sweetness is buried below with the least influence. The combination of dark malts and herbal hops is a complementary fusion with pleasant simplicity. This one is designed for those who can’t make up their mind on whether they want a stout or an IPA. Why not combine the two? I like it, so I recommend it. Thanks Kirby!.

Known Hops: Warrior, Cascade, Citra, Simcoe

Known Malts: Maris Otter, American 2-Row, Munich, C-80, Chocolate, Flaked Wheat, Black Barley, Midnight Wheat

7.2%

? IBU

Freeport, Maine