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
Cascade Dark Day IPA
OR, United States
2
3.380
Thornbridge Raven
United Kingdom
2
3.420
Evil Twin Yin & Yang
New York, United States
2
3.480
Hornbeer Hophorn
Denmark
2
3.360
Windsor & Eton Conqueror
United Kingdom
2
3.320
JailHouse Midnight Special
GA, United States
2
3.500
512 Black IPA
TX, United States
2
3.260
Upland Komodo Dragonfly Black IPA
IN, United States
2
3.200
Cigar City Humidor Series Double American Black Ale
FL, United States
2
3.480
BrewDog Abstrakt AB:06
United Kingdom
2
3.120
Peak Organic Hop Noir
ME, United States
2
3.420
Midtfyns Gleipner
Denmark
2
3.380
Scullery Brew Dark IPA
Denmark
2
3.140
Wicked Weed Ruffian Imperial Black IPA
NC, United States
2
3.540
Emelisse Black IPA
Netherlands
2
3.420
10 Barrel Hop Project #37 Brown IPA
OR, United States
2
3.260
The Bruery Batch #1000 Bryeian
CA, United States
2
3.340
Sweetwater Dank Tank Some Strange
GA, United States
2
3.400
Hopworks Organic Secession Cascadian Dark Ale
OR, United States
2
3.380
White Birch Apprentice Series Nyx
NH, United States
2
3.140