Draft... <b>RBSG</b>... Almost pitch black with a burnt orange hue when held up to the So Cal sunshine. Nice, creamy, off-white head with terrific retention and thick, creamy lacework that clings tightly to the side of the glass. Hoppy, fruity, roasted aroma. Full-bodied with a skim-milk mouthfeel and tickling carbonation. A lot of bitterness with low residual sweetness, but near-balance is somehow attained. Deeply roasted finish provides moderate bitterness with a pinch of salt.

On draft at O’Brien’s for CBC/WBC. Appearance is a pitch black hue, thin layer of off-white head dissipates, minimal lacing. Smell is big grassy and pine hops, subtle roast and caramel malts, alcohol, and sweet candy. Taste is big hops and alcohol burn initially, opens up to coffee and roast malts, pine resin and caramel linger, finishes bitter and dry with moderate alcohol presence. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, watery smooth texture, amped up carbonation. Drinkability is moderate and hampered mostly by the alcohol presence which seems larger than the 8%, overall a nice balance of malts and hops, more of a sipping beer.

RBSG 2008. I really enjoyed this beer, very nice floral flavors that worked off the malts up front. The malts had a nice depth, layers of caramel and cherry, hints of chocolate, all balanced against the hop finish. One of the better "black ipas" i’ve had.

On tap. Wow&#033; What an experience. Flavors of licorice&#40;&#033;&#41;, grapefruity hops, and a little roasted malt. Dark brown color with a persistant tan head with excellent lacing on the glass. A little hoppy aroma. Completely unique and original. Liked it a lot.

Dark brown with a thin tan head. Aroma is strong and hoppy with West Coast prerequisites of grapefruit and pine. Darker malts hit first on the flavor with an interesting roast and a little fruitiness. This is trumped by huge hops. Pine and grapefruit take over and kick my mouth’s ass. Bitter and resiny. Dry and tasty. Unique mix between roast and hops. I liked this one a lot&#033;