Hop Noir

◎ Aussehen

Deep garnet-brown to near-black, with a dense tan head that clings to the glass in a fine, persistent lace. Clarity is moderate; the beer shows as opaque when held to light, consistent with the style's dark grain bill. Carbonation appears steady and well-integrated.

◌ Aroma

A layered nose opens with resinous and citrus notes from the New Zealand hop blend—Waimea and Taiheke contribute bright, slightly herbaceous top notes alongside subtle pine undertones. Below, roasted malt emerges softly, grounding the composition with cocoa and subtle charcoal without overwhelming the hops. The balance is striking for a 4.7% beer; hop character remains clearly in focus.

◐ Geschmack

The palate enters clean and medium-bodied, with hop bitterness (60 IBU) arriving early and holding firm across the mid-palate without harshness. Roasted malt flavours—dark chocolate, slight coffee—build gradually and support rather than dominate. The finish transitions to a sweet, toasty character from the dark Malz, creating a pleasant contrast with the lingering hop bite.

◑ Abgang

The finish is medium-length, retreating gradually as the hop bitterness and roasted malt sweetness fade in tandem. A subtle, dry roast note persists on the palate, leaving no harsh edges.