Name: Dark Horse
Brewer: Nipa Brew Craft Beers (Philippines)
Style: Strong Bitter
ABV: 4.6%
Review Year: 2021
Dark Horse is an “Extra Special Bitter” released by the Manila-based Nipa Brew Craft Beers as part of their limited batch releases for August.
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Strong Bitter (11C) in the context of the 2015 Beer Style Guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
Amber brown; clear with slight haziness; medium-sized beige head with fair retention. The aroma was fairly balanced with the hops (earthy and floral), malts (caramelly and nutty), and fruit esters (fig). Flavor was malt-forward (moderately high nutty, caramel, coffee, and slightly toasty) with complementing medium bitterness. Hop flavor took the back seat with moderate impressions of earthiness and a low spicy character; fruity esters followed suit. Dry (low residual sweetness); the aftertaste lingered with bitterness, malt, and coffee. No alcohol warmth.
THE VERDICT
Dark Horse is an excellent malt-forward British-style bitter ale. It is a beer that harmonized the bitterness with the robust malts and earthy hop flavor while maintaining its highly drinkable character. We would imagine this tasty beverage being enjoyed on a quiet weekend afternoon.
Related Reviews:
Nipa Brew Craft Beers
Beers From the Philippines
View this post on Instagram
