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
	Forked River Black Sheep Canada	1	3.075
	Etienne Brule Backdraft Canada	1	3.075
	Moor Illusion United Kingdom	1	3.075
	Red Eye Black IPA WI, United States	1	3.075
	Beach Chalet Dark Passenger Imperial CA, United States	1	3.075
	Freetail Tadarida Oscura TX, United States	1	3.075
	Terminal BrewHouse Mind Meld II TN, United States	1	3.075
	Back Road Black IPA IN, United States	1	3.075
	Gilgamesh Vader OR, United States	2	3.060
	Long Trail Brewing Farmhouse Black Rye IPA VT, United States	1	3.050
	Dominion City Gander Black IPA Canada	1	3.050
	Mammoth Owens Valley Wet Harvest Ale 2010 CA, United States	1	3.050
	Haven Disco Pants CA, United States	1	3.050
	Surly Damien MN, United States	1	3.050
	Nedstrand NB Black IPA Norway	1	3.050
	McHale's Black Dixie TN, United States	1	3.025
	Sanitas Black IPA CO, United States	1	3.025
	Fjordfolk Mørkeredd Black IPA Norway	1	3.025
	Kensington Black Market Canada	1	3.000
	Dead Frog The Obsidian Dagger IPA Noire Canada	1	3.000