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
Oproer Black Flag
Netherlands
2
3.240
Labietis Lentenu Kāvējs
Latvia
2
3.320
KAIJU! Cthulhu on the Moon Black IPA
Australia
2
3.220
Cigar City Humidor Series Double American Black Ale
FL, United States
2
3.480
Great Lakes Brewery 7 Barrel Series: Apocalypse Later Black IPA
Canada
2
3.260
Great Lakes Brewery 25th Anniversary Imperial Black IPA
Canada
2
3.420
Ruhstaller Capt.
CA, United States
2
3.200
Indeed Midnight Ryder
MN, United States
2
3.400
Stone 15th anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA (Lowland Scotch)
CA, United States
2
3.600
Magic Rock Magic 8 Ball
United Kingdom
2
3.420
Dunham Black IPA
Canada
2
3.420
Evil Twin Yin & Yang
NY, United States
2
3.480
Thornbridge Raven
United Kingdom
2
3.420
Left Coast The Wedge
CA, United States
2
3.440
Sanitas Black IPA
CO, United States
2
3.100
Harpoon 100 Barrel Series - Black IPA
MA, United States
2
2.980
Bridgeport Dark Rain
OR, United States
2
3.320
Village Brewery Blacksmith India Black Ale
Canada
2
3.080
Sprecher Black IPA
WI, United States
2
3.240
Great Basin Black Eye PA
NV, United States
2
3.420