Scylla & Charybdis

◎ Appearance

Deep garnet to near-black in the glass, with an opaque body that reveals only hints of ruby at the rim when held to light. A dense, tan head forms on the pour and clings persistently to the glass walls, leaving distinct rings of lacing with each sip. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, supporting the visual depth without excessive effervescence.

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with vibrant tropical fruit character—ripe mango and citrus zest—underpinned by sharp pine resin and forest floor notes from Columbus and Simcoe hops. Beneath the hop-forward profile, roasted malt and dark chocolate emerge, adding warmth and subtle earthy complexity. A gentle alcohol warmth threads through, hinting at the beer's potent ABV without dominating the bouquet.

◐ Taste

Entry is full-bodied and assertive, with tropical and piney hop bitterness immediately engaging the palate. The mid-palate develops a striking interplay between citrus-forward Citra hops and waves of warming chocolate and caramel from the malt bill, creating textural richness. Bitterness builds steadily but remains integrated rather than harsh, finishing with resinous bite balanced against roasted grain and dark fruit undertones.

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with lingering pine and chocolate notes fading gradually into dry roasted grain. Alcohol heat emerges more noticeably in the aftertaste, reinforcing the beer's potency while the bitter-sweet hop-malt interplay persists.