NightTime

I saw a Lagunitas beer I hadn't tried before so decided to check it out. Although the label doesn't say so, NightTime seems to be a Black IPA based on its flavor profile--I wasn't really sure going in. Tag line for the beer: "Fear the Dark." OG 1.075. 74 IBU. 7.9% alcohol.

Aroma is fairly muted, some roasted malt, chocolate. Malty chocolate flavors up front. After a few sips, coffee flavors show themselves much more along with a nice roast. The malty backbone is assaulted by a large dose of pine and a minty type hoppiness. The texture is very smooth, a nice attribute while the sweeter and bitter components are in a war with each other. But the end of each sip ends in a nice balanced truce.

My wife hates bitter beers but thought this was really great. More of a see-saw of flavors than balance, this came together really nicely. Dry finish. Nice roast and piney bitterness lingers long after each sip. Choco-coffee-bitterness! Nice beer!