Terrapin / New Belgium Black Is The New Wit

Black Is The New Wit is a recent collaboration release from Terrapin and New Belgium. The label describes this as an Imperial Black Rye Wit, 7.4% ABV. It is brewed with rye malt, and aged on sassafras wood. My expectations of this were pretty low, but I have to say I am pleasantly surprised by this one.

It pours black like a nice porter, which is what I expected by the name of the beer. The aroma has more wheat ale qualities than rye or roasted malts, I’m also getting hints of root beer and clove coming through. Sweet and a bit fruity upfront, classic wheat beer with a dose of clove and a little banana as well. The finish brings in a switch to a nice dry roasted malt flavor. The aftertaste has a little of that root beer thing I got in the nose as well.

I love it when a beer I thought I was really taking a risk on ends up going well beyond those expectations!