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Pipeworks Brewing Company – Close Encounter

Brewery: Pipeworks Brewing Company
Location Chicago, IL
Style American Stout
 ABV 7.0%
 IBUs n/a

 

Best Quote During Tasting

They definitely have the nicest cans.

Justin:

Aroma - Malts come across as very roasty, slight milk chocolate, verging on burnt but not quite there. The hops are subdued but come across as equal parts citrus and dankness..
Score: 11/12
Appearance - Pours an opaque, deep brown with a tightly bubbled khaki head.
Score: 3/3
Flavor - Dark chocolate, roasted malts with a definitively bitter hoppiness.  Hops come across as resinous but I'm missing the citrus I found in the aroma.
Score: 17/20
Mouthfeel - Medium+ carbonation with medium body.  Clean finish.
Score: 4/5
Overall Impression - Personally for me, this beer is the best of both worlds. I got started with craft beer by falling in love with IPAs.  Now, I'm all about a well made malty beer (stouts, lagers, Scottish ales, etc.).  Smash the two together and this one hits the spot.  Not as hoppy as a black IPA but more hoppy than your traditional stout.  Definitely grab this one if you see it in the wild.
Score: 9/10

 

Blake:

Aroma - Roasted malts of chocolate and coffee meets the bitter aromas of hops. A bit of floral and citrus notes from the hops come through quite well against the more robust flavors of the roasted malts.
Score: 11/12
Appearance - The beautiful motor oil look of a dark and thick stout. Significant mocha colored head. 
Score: 3/3
Flavor - Juicy resiny hops play second fiddle to the dark roasted coffee, chocolate, and burnt sugars present in this beer. It isn't a pairing you see much, but it works quite well with this beer. 
Score: 18/20
Mouthfeel - Medium-full bodied with medium carbonation with a clean slightly dry bitter finish. 
Score: 4/5
Overall Impression - I could drink this one all day. Tons of rich flavors that you expect from a stout, and plenty of the juicy flavors you normally find in an IPA.  It's a very interesting beer, and might not be for everyone, but it's worth a shot because you don't see a lot like it out there. I'd expect these hoppy stouts to start showing up more and more, so maybe get in on the craze early.
Score: 9/10

 

Close Encounter Final Score
  • Aroma
  • Appearance
  • Flavor
  • Mouthfeel
  • Overall
4.5
User Rating: 0.0 (1 votes)
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Justin Phelps

Justin Phelps

Co-Founder at Saint Brewis
Justin Phelps is a Certified Cicerone® who was born and raised in St. Louis. His passion for beer goes beyond just drinking it as he is also an award-winning home brewer. While he may be a marketing professional by day, he's a blogger, brewery hopper, and beer enthusiast by night.

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