Celebrating its newfound independence with a friendly dismissal to ‘contract brewers,’ complex 7-malt/ 7-hop Cascadian Dark Ale piles dark-roasted mocha malting to less distinct dried fruiting and acrid charcoal-burnt pine ash. Dark chocolate, dusty cocoa and stove-burnt coffee crowd earthen peat midst, where pineapple, grapefruit, apple and orange undertones fight for space. Distant walnut, cola nut and Brazil nut illusions deepen overall mocha richness.

On tap at Dog & Cask, rich dark chocolate malting, kiln-roasted coffee bittering and piney hop-charred fruiting find a balanced blend. Capacious grapefruit-pineapple-lemon tang leaves permanent impression upon heavy mocha molasses romp. Ashen pine embers and resinous evergreen cinders bring mild pungent acridity to burnt black bread bottom.

On tap at Doherty’s, stylishly fine dark-roasted dry body overloads black chocolate-cocoa-coffee conflux with blackened hop-charred bittering and black patent malting. Charcoal-stained ashen pine resin hides musky dried fruiting.

On tap at Blue Ribbon Tavern, daringly sophisticated Cascadian Dark Ale enriches stylish hop-charred black chocolate malting and distant grapefruit-dried pineapple fondue undertones with surprisingly insistent walnut-roasted bitterness (and less prominently contrasted hazelnut sweetness). Light charcoal burn increases resolute bitterness while relegating sugary toffee dalliance.

Ambitious full-bodied Cascadian dark ale betters the rest thanks to richer dark-roasted chocolate malting and spicier dried fruiting. True, its loud mocha overtones outdo the recessive stewed fruits, but the pine-needled wood char and dry hop bittering penetrate the surface. Black molasses bread, raisin toast, black licorice, ground coffee, Nestles Quik cocoa and chocolate fondue illusions round out the busy mix. Tertiary pineapple, grapefruit, black grape and peach snips hide below.

Delicately pungent Black India Pale Ale (a.k.a Cascadian Dark) with penetrative dark-roasted chocolate malting and hop-charred flaked oats bittering receives resinous piney buildup to contrast light citrus smear. Bakers chocolate, black coffee, black currant, black grape, blackberry, cocoa and cola nut undertones waver.

Affluent dark-roasted chocolate malting overrides reedy hop-charred dark fruiting. Stove-burnt coffee bittering and resinous pine meadow deepen oncoming cocoa bean influence. Peat mossy bottom moistens mighty mocha finish.  

Hefty black chocolate roast contrasts sweet and sour orange-peeled grapefruit tang. Creamy coffee sugaring raids the mocha template while resinous hop-charred pining, earthen peat mossing and dark floral bouquet conquer the rustic backend.

Obliging mahogany-hued medium body offers blackened hop-charred bittering and wood-dried charcoal sear to mocha-fruited expectancy. Black chocolate roast deepens piquant piney-sapped grapefruit, pineapple and orange tartness. Black grape, fig and plum undertones waver.

On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, bold pumpernickel essence rolls over peat-smoked chocolate malting and caraway-seeded molasses breading. Cocoa-dried rye toasting and blackened hop char relegate dried fruited fig, date and plum undertones. Bittersweet mocha influence far outweighs any fruitful IPA tendencies.

Captivating Cascadian dark ale contrasts prodigious hop-charred piney citric bittering against cocoa-powdered smoked chocolate malting. Sharp grapefruit-peeled orange rind sting envelops rich mocha roast. Baker’s chocolate, roasted coffee, espresso and cacao nibs commingle with black grape, black currant and brown apple undertones.