American Black Ale

American Black Ale

5551 beers | 3.693 Avg Score

The recently developed American Black Ale (ABA) is the product of American craft brewers’ love affair with hops, and their constant desire to innovate and push the envelope. Believed to have originated at the Vermont Pub and Brewery in 1994, the style has surged in popularity since 2007, especially in the Pacific Northwest region, prompting many to refer to it as a Cascadian Dark Ale. The ABA, often called a Black IPA, is similar to its predecessor, the India Pale Ale, but has had its malt bill modified to include a small percentage of highly kilned or roasted malts, giving the beer a dark brown or black appearance. The aromas are typically grassy, spicy, floral, citrussy and/or piny, thanks to aggressive quantities of hops being added at the end of the boil and as dry-hops. Despite its dark color, the malt flavors are typically in the background as they are dominated by ample bitterness and hop flavor. Flavors are resinous and citrussy, and in some versions the dark malts can lend light caramel, chocolate, coffee, or ashy flavors to the beer. The alcohol content for ABAs is typically in the 5.5%-8% by volume range.

Beer | Location Reviews Score
Firestone Walker Leo v. Ursus #4: Wookus
CA, United States
2
3.280
Knee Deep Midnight Hoppyness
CA, United States
2
3.340
Pike Octopus Ink
WA, United States
2
3.380
Mother Road Lost Highway Imperial Black IPA
AZ, United States
2
3.360
Founders Dark Penance Imperial Black IPA
MI, United States
2
3.300
Avery Anniversary Twenty One
CO, United States
2
3.240
Barley Mow The Unkindness American Black Ale
Canada
2
3.360
Shmaltz Death Hoppy Black Ale
NY, United States
2
3.140
Lagunitas NightTime Ale
CA, United States
2
3.380
Wren House Olber's Paradox
AZ, United States
2
3.420
Iron John's Nardo - Black IPA
AZ, United States
2
3.140
Sierra Nevada Beer Camp 094: Belgian Black IPA
CA, United States
2
3.200
De Molen V Years - 20k
Netherlands
2
3.380
Epic Santa Cruz Brown IPA
New Zealand
2
3.420
Stone / The Alchemist / Ninkasi More Brown than Black IPA
CA, United States
2
3.420
Emelisse BIPA
Netherlands
2
3.380
Samuel Adams Dark Depths
MA, United States
2
3.280
Firestone Walker Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA
CA, United States
2
3.420
Sun Up Double Black Rye P.A.
AZ, United States
2
3.360
Buxton Imperial Black
United Kingdom
1
3.100