Three Floyds BlackHeart English IPA

Brewed by Three Floyds Brewing Company
Style: English Pale Ale
Munster, Indiana USA

Bottle purchased at Binny’s South Loop. After I spent my live savings on 3 bombers of FFF, this being one of them, I found out this has been on the shelves for months. Great. Fuck me in the ass some more. Aroma of British esters, pine, and alcohol. Medium bodied approaching a sticky texture, but not quite getting there. Up front, the flavor has loads of caramel, brown sugar, maple countered by a sharp piney and peppery bitterness that transitions to a sage like herbal and grassy hoppy finish. I also pick up some burnt sugar and orange tea in there as well. Interesting beer, but at this point is a bit disconnected and is not what I would call an English IPA at 9%. This is strong ale or IIPA territory.

Pours a dark golden hue...with a nice head that leaves some light lacing along the glass. Its from 3Floyds so it’s definitely got that floral hoppiness in the aroma. Notes of caramel, peach and pine. There’s even a little "woodiness" that shines through from the toasted oak. Upon tasting, floral, citrusy hops shine through with an oakiness that really brings out the caramel malts for a perfect balance. Three Floyds never ceases to amaze me!!!

English, IPA what is that, who cares it was awesome. Bottle. Pours a golden amber body with an off white head. Floral citrus character light dried fruit, grass y notes vague etoh warming and hints of grape and some light woodiness. Awesome brew. I’d love to have another.

Bomber (2009), again thanks to Mikey; don’t remember too much of the details, having had a few before this one; typically complex as befits FFF, pretty big for an IPA and more balanced than most- vague notes include caramel, light malts, grapefruit and maybe apricots?

Dark golden pour with white head. Malt and hop aroma. It had a real pleasant sweet taste- the malt was more prominent than the hops at first, then the hop flavor came out more as it warmed up. It had a nice woody aftertaste, a creamy mouthfeel. Nice lacing on the whole glass.

Pours a nice pale orange with a white head. Aroma is strong in sweet malts and a bit of hops. Notes of grapefruit, caramel, some dark fruit, and citrus stand out too. The palate is bubbley and crisp. The taste really brings out the citrus. The finish is hoppy, dry, and bitter. This beer reminds me of a combination between an American IPA and an English IPA. Very different, but very good.

Aroma: Apricot, pear, pumpkin, earthy, very unique aroma. Very different than any other IPA I have had. Slightly sweet. Appearance: Dark golden, more amber than any IPA i’ve had before. Unique so far looking forward to taste. Flavor: Apricot, spiced pumpkin, pear - tastes like it smells. IBUs only apparent on finish. Has chocolate earthy overtones at every point. Palate: Soft, smooth, porter like finish with slight carbonation. Very, very nice. Overall Impression: A truly unique beer. Seems weird to think of it at an IPA with the chocolate, earthy fruits, and waning bitterness. Unique and fantastic brew.

#1200. Pours a rich orange color with a big creamy off white head. Nose is citrus. Fresh orange zest and grapefruit juice, with a little bit of pine and some caramel malt. All of these flavors translate to the taste. While this beer is great and very enjoyable, I feel the high alpha acid numbers of the admiral hops makes this a stylistic mutt. Yes everything is technically British, but the in your face hopping is American as sticking your dick in baked goods.