Olde Hickory Black Raven IPA

This one is listed at 7%ABV and described as an IPA using roasted malts for a dark color and rich flavor.  Read their description here.  It pours a very dark brown.  The head is minimal.  The smell is all IPA.  The malts are only faintly present.  Olde Hickory makes some very hoppy beers so I expect this one to follow suit.  The taste is complex at first and nothng really stands out.  The hops becomes very present finally.  The hops are a touch on the bitter side.  After letting the beer warm I realized that it should be served warmer than a standard IPA.  A thicker head was achieved and it persisted as shown in the picture throughout drinking.  The bitter edge on the hops faded and the toasted malts began to come through.  This isn't the kind of IPA you would want to drink on a hot summer day but in the fall and winter months this would make an excellent IPA to reach for.  The ideal drinking temp for this beer is between 48 and 52.  For a brewery that makes some beers hopped to the extreme this may be one of my favorite offerings by Olde Hickory.  That may change come spring, but for the time I will enjoy some more of these.  I would recommend this beer for anyone that is a fan of the IPA style.  It may be inaccessible to those who don't like heavily hopped beers.  The warm temperature needed to experience the full effect may also turn some away.  I expected this to be a bold beer and it is a pleasant variation of a tried and true style.