<b>Objectively speaking:</b> A drinkable porter with an extra kick of hops. Hoppy indeed, but I’ve heard the next batches will go further into the bitterness department. At the moment, this remains very balanced and probably more roasty than hoppy (as if we could make such a claim). <br /> <b>I like:</b> The basic porter has the DDC tag on it, well-bodied, clean, generous malt character, well-extracted roastiness. Quite coffee-like. Drinkable and an interesting new venture from Dieu du Ciel. <br /> <b>I dislike:</b> I did not quite find anything to grab my attention for a second glass. I’d rather move on with the menu quality that they have. Its hoppiness is not quite captivating and yet it’s too hesitating at the moment. Not quite sure where it’s going, but I’m confident that the next batches will be more defined.

<i>My Bottom Line:</i><br /> Plentiful roasted coffee beans lather the hop forest in this silky and voluptuous Black IPA, ending in a resinous hop bitterness which seems to carry a blurb of absinth-like sweet herb concentrate. <br /> <br /> <i>Further Personal Perceptions:</i><br /> -A veil of foam tops the burgundy-laced darkness.<br /> -This hop forest is more and more intriguing as moves towards the finish of the sip: its leafy, earthy, humid, and sometimes peppery.<br /> -The nose does not predict as many hops as there are in the flavor profile and finish.<br /> -This is a fun pint like many others at DDC, drinkable, electic, and full-bodied.<br /> <br /> <b>On tap at the brewpub.</b>

A deep clear brown ale with mahogany hues and a thin dark moka head. A nice floral hops in aroma with citrus notes, and nuttyness. In mouth, like a rich rich nutty IPA, with light chocolate notes. If this was a blind tasting, I would have thought this was a regular IPA. On tap at brewpub June 14, 2008.

<i> cask at Volo </i><br /> <b> Appearance: </b>Mildly hazed brew with mid woody cask style head. <br /><b> Nose: </b> Strong, refreshing hop aroma, green , citric feel with darker behind.<br /><b> Flavor/Palate :</b> Strong, dry roasty feel ; ash followed up , dry bitter leafy notes. Subtle complexity. Good ale.13+

<b>Cask</b>. <i>At Volo Cask Days 2008</i>. Cloudy brown with a creamy tan-green head. Dry pine and nutshell bitterness to the aroma, light citrus malt backing, a little ’’wheaty’’, with some alcohol prominence for 6%. Slightly sour malt taste, plenty of near-burnt back-tongue resiny bitterness. Average body, long dry carbonized bitterness to the linger ... I liked it enough, I guess, but I wasn’t wild about it, unlike the Rigor Mortis ABT, I had no urge to try further samples of this one.