Back in Black

Tall, dark, and mysterious

This is a post about a style of crafty beer that is presently sweeping the nation. You may not have heard of it yet, but chances are, if you travel in the good beer circles, before long, you’ll be staring down this menacing visage from across the bar and succumbing to its wiles of deliciousness. This crafty specter is none other than the Black IPA.

Blogger’s note: I realized recently that, while I have found a real affinity for Black IPAs in recent years, many people have never even heard of them. A friend of mine (who I will refer to as Jimmy for the duration of this post) was getting ready to go back to Sacramento, California and mentioned that he really enjoyed the beers that are made by the 21^st Amendment Brewing Co in San Francisco. He mentioned that his favorite was the “Brew Free or Die” India Pale Ale (an excellent beer by the way), and then I mentioned that their “Back in Black” Black IPA was wonderful. To which he replied, “Black IPA? Is that actually a thing?” Jimmy, you can tell everybody that this is your blog post.

Sweet can art

Black IPAs are known by many other names, such as India Dark Ale, India Black Ale, Cascadian Dark Ale, Dark IPA, and sometimes India Brown Ale. But whatever you call it, there is no denying the wonder and sheer spectacle of a beer with IPA-level hopping, relatively high alcohol and a distinct toasty dark malt character. Hop heads will be drawn to the expressive dry-hopping using American hops that are common in the style. Stout hounds will find that the style is slightly less roasty than a strong stout, but is hoppier than a strong porter. They range in color from dark brown to pitch black and, if the brewer is going for a “double or imperial” version, can be quite alcoholic.

In addition to 21^st Amendment’s Back in Black, there are several delicious, and fairly easy to find Black IPAs out there. One of the best I’ve ever had is the Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale by the Stone Brewing Co in San Diego, California, which is generously laced with Chinook, Simcoe and Amarillo hops, and weighs in at 8.70% ABV. It is available in 22oz bottles, or on draft if you can find it.

This label scares the bejesus out of me

An excellent Black IPA that I’ve had the pleasure of stumbling upon in the DC metro area is the Tupper’s India Ink Black IPA, made by the Mad Fox Brewing Co in Falls Church, VA. It is an assertive jet black brew that is aggressively hopped and dry-hopped with Mt. Hood hops, weighing in at 7.20% ABV and 70 IBUs.

Others that I encourage everyone (not just Jimmy) to go find and enjoy are Iniquity Imperial Black Ale by the Southern Tier Brewing Co in Lakewood, New York, Heavy Seas Black Cannon by the Clipper City Brewing Co in Baltimore, MD, Alaskan Black IPA and Double Black IPA by the Alaskan Brewing Co in Juneau, Alaska and Big Black Van by the Three Floyds Brewing Co in Munster, Indiana. There are, of course, countless others out there, but for the purposes of this post I have provided an adequate list that should serve as a launching point for your search.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!