Style: Black IPA
Brewery: Beerbliotek
Origin: Sweden
Size: 33cl
Alcohol: 7.6%
Price: 35kr
Systembolaget: 32347
Originally founded by four friends, this brewery was set up in 2012 in Gothenburg. This was the first beer that Beerbioteks produced, this time brewed to commemorate their 11-year anniversary. It was first brewed on 19th Feb 2003. At weekends, they open their taproom for visitors to try their beers. I found it quite hard to find out information about this beer, but even with a lack of information available, it was still an interesting and full tasting experience.
This was deep brown to black with ruby highlights and a mocha coloured head that clung to the outside of the glass well. Grapefruit, coffee and grass notes in the aroma, with a green bell pepper note that was presumably the chilli pushing through. Upon tasting, the chilli came on strongly, hitting the back of the throat and warming it intensely. This was followed up by light roasted notes, dark chocolate, grapefruit, tobacco and cinnamon notes. The aftertaste was long and warming, with the palate feeling heat for a long time after swallowing.
This was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, with the chilli hidden well until being unleashed in the tasting. The big, bold chilli notes really gave this beer an interesting edge, and it worked very well, with the dark malt notes helping to balance out the heat. I think it might be hard to drink a whole can of this on its own, but we paired it with pulled pork, and it elevated both the food and beer together. If you’re going to try this, make sure you get some BBQ meat to try with it, as it’s a delicious combo!