American Black Ale

American Black Ale

681 beers | 3.760 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
Boréale Collection Nokturn Black IPA
Canada
2
3.220
Beau's All Natural Wild Oats Series No. 49: Schwarzwälder
Canada
2
3.260
Les Brasseurs du Temps Asticou
Canada
2
3.260
Anderson Valley Bahl Hornin’ Nettied Madge Black IPA
CA, United States
2
3.320
Speakeasy Butchertown Black Ale
CA, United States
2
3.140
Innis & Gunn Don's Choice
United Kingdom
2
3.080
Summit Silver Anniversary Ale
MN, United States
2
3.440
Hornbeer Hophorn
Denmark
2
3.360
Windsor & Eton Conqueror
United Kingdom
2
3.320
Beau's All Natural Wild Oats Series No. 60: Le Coeur Noir
Canada
2
3.260
Upland Komodo Dragonfly Black IPA
IN, United States
2
3.200
Barley Days Ursa Major Black IPA
Canada
2
3.140
White Birch Apprentice Series Nyx
NH, United States
2
3.140
BrewDog Abstrakt AB:06
United Kingdom
2
3.120
Olde Hickory Black Raven IPA
NC, United States
2
3.380
JailHouse Midnight Special
GA, United States
2
3.500
512 Black IPA
TX, United States
2
3.260
Cascade Dark Day IPA
OR, United States
2
3.380
Hopworks Organic Secession Cascadian Dark Ale
OR, United States
2
3.380
Magnotta Brewery Double Drooling Dog Black IPA
Canada
2
2.900