Samuel Adams Longshot Blackened Hops

This 7.0% ABV beer is the winning entry of Rodney Kibzey of Illinois in the 2011 Samuel Adams Longshot brewing competition.  HOmebrewers submit recipes and several are chosen each year to be brewed by Samuel Adams.

This beer pours a dark coal black, with ample carbonation and an inch of light brown cappucino foam that leaves moderate lacing down the glass.  The aroma is predominantly hoppy, very citrus and tropical fruit, with a bit of sweet, dark roasted malt in the background.  The beer drinks surprisingly light for its very dark color and full flavor.  There is a wave of big citrusy hops, with a touch of pine, a background of dark roasted malt, a hint of coffee and an intensely bitter finish.  This is a hop wallop at the beginning, and stays predominately hoppy, but the dark roasted malt does moderate the hop intensity some as you make your way through the beer.