Beer Review: Burton Bridge Dark Shield

Name: Dark Shield

ABV: 5.6%

Style: Black IPA

Brewery: Burton Bridge

Location: Burton, Derbyshire 

Aroma:  Strong notes hops with citrus fruit coming through on the nose, washed down with caramel and a whisp of roasted malt and coffee notes in the background.

Colour: Dark with a thin tan coloured head. 

Flavour: A malty caramel base with hints of sweetness, a tinge of citrus fruits including lemons and oranges, offset with a bittersweet roasted malt background that has hints of dark chocolate, coffee and charcoal coming through. Medium bodied mouthfeel, its relatively high strength has a warming effect on the aftertaste.

Verdict: Almost two beers in one, mixing the hallmarks of a tradiitonal English IPA with the elements of a Porter. The distinctive flavours that made Worthington's White Shield so great are somewhat overshadowed by the agressive flavours coming through from the dark malts, though it is refreshing to see a Black IPA that isn't plundered with American hops for a change. A niceley balanced beer that celebrates the best qualities in British hops and malt. 


Rating: 8/10

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