Who knows whether it was the bar or the brewer, but I have to confess that I didn’t instantly fall in love with Black Rock beers, from Falmouth, down here in Cornwall. I started warming to the brews this summer when I enjoyed a Deep, its 5% ABV American pale ale, sitting in the sunshine at 5 Degrees West, Falmouth. But now the love affair has finally blossomed after trying the Black IPA at the Dock Inn beer festival — Docktoberfest — in Penzance last night.

Stephanie Todd Dock InnIf it has a fault, to me it’s not a black IPA by the definition that you can close you eyes and imagine you are drinking a golden beer. But what a brew. There’s hop bitterness on the finish, but en route it’s a smooth, creamy dark beer with, for me, a taste of raspberry ripple ice cream about it. Great beer, guys.

Docktoberfest continues today and ends tomorrow, but if you haven’t been already I’d go today as the Dock has some thirsty customers! Struggling through with a leg injury, but very much the perfect hostess, licensee Stephanie Todd (pictured) has put on a small, but classy beer menu, with brews from Penzance, HarbourBlack Flag and Sharp’s breweries, as well as the infamous Grandma’s Weapons Grade Ginger Beer and Hedley’s locally-made Cider. The atmosphere is terrific, with food available and live entertainment in the evening.

My other picks of the festival are Harbour’s American Rye (really enjoying rye beers at the moment and this one has lovely balance and a hint of spice) and the ever-reliable Penzance Scilly Stout, dark and dangerous as ever!