Bad Shepherd Brewing Co Darkbine Black IPA 6.7% 24 Pack Cans 355ml

Darkbine is a winter release from Bad Shepherd in Cheltenham, and the brewery describes it as born from the shadows and fuelled by a monstrous appetite for hops. It sits deliberately on the line between two worlds: the bold hop character of a West Coast IPA and the smooth, dark complexity of a stout.It pours jet black beneath a tan head, which sets up a genuine surprise on the nose. Mosaic, Nelson Sauvin and Nectaron drive the aroma, throwing out ripe tropical fruit, passionfruit, citrus and stone fruit where the colour promises roast.The malt bill answers underneath with hints of dark chocolate, toasted bread crust and roasted coffee, and a firm bitterness ties the two halves together. Good on a cool night, and very good alongside smoky barbecue.