Firestone Walker Wookey Jack

I saw this beer for $5.99 for 22oz at Costco, which is about a dollar less than it costs at other stores, so I thought I'd give it a try. It's a black IPA, like Back in Black, and from Firestone Walker, makers of Double Jack, which I adore. I thought there was a good chance I'd love this one too, but unfortunately I don't.

It pours black and very dark. It looks really appealing and rich. The nose is IPA all the way. It smells like grapefruit and pine, almost exactly like Double Jack in fact. I'm not sure I could tell them apart by the nose. The taste is kind of complex. Super hoppy, at first, but then it fades a bit to a little caramel. Then the hop comes back with pine notes at the front, and then there's a coffee-like bitterness at the end.

It just doesn't quite mesh well together for me. The mouthfeel is really nice and creamy, but I can't quite get past the bitterness at the end. It seems overwhelming.  I had some pretzels with it, and the saltiness helped cut it a little bit, but I can't see myself reaching for this over Double Jack or Back in Black.

You can't like 'em all. This is why they make lots of beers!