Damn Cletus is a big, dark behemoth of a black IPA, one Big Shed brewed in collaboration with long-time customers, The Forager’s Drop in Melbourne's east. Several dark speciality malts were used, including Eclipse Wheat – a variety designed to add black colour without the bitterness of other roasted malts – with US hops Simcoe, Mosaic and Cashmere completing the picture.
At first look, it could be mistaken for an imperial stout given the very deep, dark black colour, and it wastes little time sending the drinker on an interesting journey, taking in flavours from a black forest cake that's been soaked in coffee and eaten amongst pine trees. The pine is quite dominant in the aroma, pushing a touch of roasted dark malt aside. Flavour wise, a bit of coffee and toasted caramel comes out to play, while there's even a hint of hidden grassiness in a beer with a decent bitter bite and a thick, syrupy mouthfeel. As it should at 9.1 percent ABV.
Matt King
Published June 22, 2020 2020-06-22 00:00:00
