Dark Matter

Dark Matter came to me by way of Victoria, British Columbia. It gets its start in life at the Hoyne Brewing Company, where it is coddled up to a strength of 5.3% alcohol and bundled into 650mL bottles. The labels on these hefty bottles are lovely, displaying a campfire and the aurora borealis. Curiously, there is no style listed on the bottle; just "beer/bière". I'm gonna call it a dark ale, likely a porter, and double check on their website later.

Stout dark, and topped with a layer of cream head, Dark Matter has an extremely malt forward aroma. There are also notes of molasses and raisin to tickle the nose. It's got a creamy mouthfeel and ample flavour. The latter leans heavily to the malty side of the spectrum, and favours roasted grain and mocha vibes.

Victoria is a city that I've yet to visit, but I've tried a lot of craft beer that hails from BC's capital, and it's got me hankerin' to make the trip. Dark Matter is a credit to its hometown. Not quite as strong or as bitter as I'd have liked it, but rich in texture and flavour.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.