My first beer from the Blackman’s folk, on the beautiful Victorian southern coast. Blackman’s comes highly recommended from BrewsBuzz buddy Leigh, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s billed as a West Coast IPA, but the great balancing malt meant that it had a foot firmly in both the US and UK camps. Definitely a good thing in my view.

Can. Pours a relatively hazy amber with orange edges and an oily, but thin white head. Aromas of citrus and stone fruit, interwoven with malted caramel and a long pine and resin finish. Moderate to strong bitterness full of resinous pine, subtle peach backnotes and a balancing underpinning of sweet caramel malt. Incredibly smooth mouthfeel that fulfilled my hops craving yet the big dose of malt provided such wonderful balance that left me wishing I’d bought more than one can.

Appearance 3/5
Aroma 8/10
Flavour 8/10
Palate 4/5
Overall 14/20