Beer Review: Collaboration Time 1 Ale

Reviewing the Collaboration Time 1 Ale, a black ale collaboration between Maine Beer Company and Lawson's Finest Liquids.
Score: 92

Bottle demands you "drink by" 09/15/12. Served in a Three Floyds teku glass and enjoyed on 08/13/12.

Appearance: Dense black body with three fingers of dense and soapy khaki head at pour. Amazing lacing and excellent retention. 5/5

Smell: This smells like a super zesty grapefruit IPA loaded with chocolate. The nose starts with the IPA qualities upfront, which then subside into the beer's stout-like qualities. Upfront is slightly resinous piney hopes, grapefruit and mango with growing layers of sweet tropical citrus as the beer wars. The back end smells of roasted chocolate malt, cocoa and a little bit of fudge that reminds me of what the air in the park next of the Blommer Chocolate Factory smells like. I am shocked that this black IPA is so day-and-night in it's aroma, and yet so well incorporated overall. A bit of the balance is lost as the beer hits room temperature, but it's still pretty excellent. 4.5/5

Taste: The taste is more traditional black IPA than the nose, with the stout-and-IPA contrast being less incorporated on the palate than in the nose. There is a citrusy pine hop backbone layered with chocolate malt on top. Sweet citrus (zesty tangerine, grapefruit and a little lemon) cuts through the chocolate flavors to provided a nice balance to the bitterness of the beer. There is nothing outstanding or unique about the taste of this beer, but a really nice tasting black IPA nonetheless. Not overly hoppy at all; quite balanced. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Lighter side of medium bodied with medium carbonation. The mouthfeel is creamy and oily; very slick. The finish is slightly bitter and mildly malty. 4/5

Overall: Although it smells better than it tastes, I found this to be a very solid black IPA that is one of the better examples of the style.

Recommendation: Nab a fresh bottle of this while you still can and enjoy. It's mellowed out hoppiness leads me to believe that casual beer geeks might find this brew to be a nice bridge to more traditional IPA's.

Pairings: Rainbow sherbet.

Cost: $6.99 for a 500 ml bottle.