American Black Ale

American Black Ale

684 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
Rogue Dads Little Helper Black IPA
OR, United States
9
3.600
Clown Shoes Lubrication
MA, United States
8
3.573
Lagunitas NightTime IPA
CA, United States
8
3.755
Rogue Mogul Madness Ale
OR, United States
8
3.509
Lakefront IBA
WI, United States
8
3.236
Left Hand Fade to Black, Volume 4: Rocky Mountain Black Ale
CO, United States
8
3.327
The Alchemist / Ninkasi / Stone More Brown than Black IPA
CA, United States
8
3.700
Heavy Seas Black Cannon
MD, United States
8
3.473
Mikkeller Koppi Tomahawk x Guji Natural Coffee IPA
Denmark
7
3.330
Sierra Nevada Blindfold
CA, United States
7
3.370
Mad River Serious Madness Black Ale
CA, United States
7
3.330
Phillips Skookum Cascadian Brown
Canada
7
3.480
Tree Hophead Black IPA
Canada
7
3.490
Alaskan Brewing Black IPA
AK, United States
7
3.300
Buxton Imperial Black India Pale Ale
United Kingdom
7
3.790
Barrel House Boss Cox Double Dark IPA
OH, United States
6
3.455
Boulevard Grainstorm
MO, United States
6
3.622
Pyramid Discord Dark IPA
WA, United States
6
3.145
Full Sail Bump In The Night
OR, United States
6
3.345
Wellington Welly One Off: Terrestrial India Brown Ale
Canada
6
3.311