Beer Review: Wookey Jack

Reviewing the Wookey Jack from Firestone Walker Brewing Company out of California.
Score: 95

12 oz tap pour served in a tulip glass at Revolution Brewpub and enjoyed on 05/22/12. Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: Jet black with a layer of faint caramel-color highlights atop the beer. Served with a finger-plus of frothy tan head that slowly recedes to a thin layer. Excellent lacing and excellent cling/retention. 4.5/5

Smell: Quite hop forward. Loads of piney/grassy hops and citrus. Grapefruit, rye and lemongrass primarily. Faint notes of roasted chocolate and sugary vanilla in background. Super pleasant IPA-like aroma with slight stout twist. 4.5/5

Taste: Sharp and slightly tart grapefruit, lemon and pineapple citrus upfront. Gobs of grassy/piney hops. Rye spice on the side of the tongue. Layering creamy chocolate in finish. Sweet and sour lemonade too. Very balanced overall. Refreshing and criminally drinkable. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied and medium carbonation with a zesty citrus hop kick on tongue. Bitter finish. Oily mouthfeel. 4.5/5

Overall: An absolutely superb beer. It looks like a stout, but drinks like an IPA. Unlike most black IPA, this one is primarily an IPA with subtle and complementary stout characteristics rather than a more prominent blend of the stout and IPA qualities. This might be the best black IPA that I have had to date.

Recommendation: Craft beer loving skeptics of black IPA should give this brew a whirl. This is one of the less "out there" (in terms of overall flavor and drinkability) IPA-style beers, so even casual beer drinkers should enjoy this brew (provided they are not hop haters).

Pairings: Lemon sugar cookies.

Cost: $8 for a 12 oz tulip.