“Donning double dry-hopped Citra for a big citrussy hit with Cascade and Centennial hops balanced perfectly against a light, smooth, dark-as-night malt backbone, this special brew is very near and dear to us and engineered for absolute stouty pleasure. As a great man once said, “Holy mackerel! This hoppy stout is perfect for every occasion!”

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: Solid black with a dense two finger head. Excellent retention and a tonne of lace weaving its way down the glass.

Aroma: Getting heady black IPA vibes from it. *Can check* definitely says stout on it. Read the brewers ramblings and it states that it has a big double dry hop with Citra so that explains it! Smells damn fine too. The Citra really kicks off with its hallmark grapefruit, rind, pine/resins then the malt base provides generous helpings of coffee and roast. Brilliant.

Flavour: Man they’ve absolutely gone to town with the hops here. We love it. If we were blindfolded we’d dead set call this a black IPA. The ratio is literally 50/50. Punchy resins and pine, zesty grapefruit and oily rind rubs elbows with the robust toasty-ness, coffee and bittersweet chocolate. Culminating in a dry, resinous, roasty and bitter finish with good duration.

Mouthfeel: Viscous, chewy, yet smooth. Medium-full body, low-ish Co2 and a 5.8% ABV that punches above its weight.

Overall: Impressive stuff from Reckless. Stout? Black IPA? Call it what you will. Either way it’s an absolute pearler.