American Black Ale

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
	Cerebral Shadow Council CO, United States	1	3.350
	Simple Machine Dark Side of the Mash AZ, United States	1	3.250
	Bottle Logic Imperial Black IPA CA, United States	1	3.275
	Lánius Black IPA 18° Slovakia	1	3.025
	Boundary Black Is the Colour United Kingdom	1	3.175
	Star Wing Into The Woods United Kingdom	1	3.225
	71 / Lumi Musta Lumi (Black Snow) United Kingdom	1	3.125
	Bowness Bay Swan Black United Kingdom	1	3.050
	Charnwood Night Sky United Kingdom	1	3.175
	Chapel Dark Lord United Kingdom	1	3.125
	Wessex Wrinkled Retainer United Kingdom	1	3.100
	Marina Black Sea Spain	1	3.075
	Pühaste Tezcatlipoca Estonia	1	3.250
	Incredible Black IPA United Kingdom	1	3.075
	Anspach & Hobday The Dark Side of Papa United Kingdom	1	3.075
	Lerwick Blindside United Kingdom	1	3.050
	Althaia Mascarat Spain	1	3.250
	SPYBREW SKAAL's Black Hat IPA Denmark	1	3.075
	The Flying Dutchman Black is Black and I want My Baby Back Finland	1	3.125
	Off the Rail Cascadian Dark Ale Canada	1	2.925