Drake’s Jolly Rodger 2013
From Drake’s Brewing – While Jolly Rodger has been around a long time, it’s also new pretty much every year. It originated as an English-style barleywine, then was later a brown ale, an Imperial Red, and last year made it (almost) full-circle as an American Barleywine. Many years (and many people with some form of the name “Roger”) later, we’re going real dark with what will be an 11.5% Imperial American Black Ale (slash Black IPA slash Cascadian Dark Ale).
Drake’s Brewing – Drake’s Jolly Rodger 2013 – 22 oz. bottle poured into a goblet. 11.5% abv.
Appearance: Pours black with a thin cap of froth.
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Aroma: Big bright citrus/grapefruit burst. Grape/dark fruit tobacco, black licorice.
Taste: Grapefruit like hops. Starts out fruity. Mild dark chocolate with a beautiful melange of bitter, resinous and citrusy hops. Surprisingly not so bitter in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Smooth , full bodied. Average carbonation.
Overall: A very enjoyable big black ale. The level and complexity of the hops made this beer. While it didn’t seem like an 11.5% beer, it hit me like one, so be careful.
