Hargreaves Hill + Nøgne Ø + Moylan’s Our Dark Secret Collaboration Ale

Brewed by Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company
Style: Black IPA
Steels Creek, Victoria, Australia

Serve in Shaker, Tulip

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First off the rank on a hectic, sunny Saturday of beer mentalism in Fremantle. On draught @ The Norfolk Hotel.
Produced up a russet, cola brown with fair clarity. Sticky, rocky and tight tan mess atop lasts the length and leaves behind a misty lace. Spicy, heavingly piney and resinous, whole hop nose. Weedy and camphorous with inklings of mint, bitter melon, green guava and grapefruit, and just a touch of dark honey sweetness. Assertive, ‘take no prisoners’ assault of those Aussie hops dominates the initially harsh, bitter and unequally dry palate. The fruity touch of the aroma of but lost now. Weedy, parching and spiced with what seems like a mixture of mace, cilantro, clove, black pepper and star anise. Body is lighter than expected, only filling out a little once it warmed. Smoky, clove-like phenols and aniseed are ever present in the swallow and linger. Little malt backbone. The only fruit esters seem more vinous than anything and are meagre against the hops. That is not to say this wasn’t a tasty number. Took a little to sink in, but after the second glass it seems to find its niche and I say I could have easily gone a few more. A strange brew; could have been made with 100% pale ale malt and still pulled off the same results. Unique!

Best black ipa to date. Substantial hop presence, beautiful roasted Malts, overall very well balanced beer.