American Black Ale

American Black Ale

692 beers | 3.761 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
Hopworks Organic Secession Cascadian Dark Ale
OR, United States
2
3.380
Olde Hickory Black Raven IPA
NC, United States
2
3.380
Midtfyns Gleipner
Denmark
2
3.380
Blue Hills Black Hops Beer
MA, United States
1
3.375
Svaty Norbert Echoes of the Past 15 °
Czech Republic
1
3.375
Blue Point Toxic Sludge
NY, United States
4
3.371
Sierra Nevada Blindfold
CA, United States
7
3.370
He'Brew Death of a Contract Brewer
NY, United States
3
3.367
Hornbeer Hophorn
Denmark
2
3.360
Fort Collins The Incredible Hop - Imperial Black IPA
CO, United States
4
3.357
Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA (Highland Scotch)
CA, United States
1
3.350
Sierra Nevada DevESTATEtion
CA, United States
3
3.350
Three Heads Skunk Black IPA
NY, United States
1
3.350
Grand Teton Trout Hop Black IPA
ID, United States
5
3.350
Church-Key Black IPA
Canada
1
3.350
Mother Road Brewing Lost Highway Imperial Black IPA
AZ, United States
1
3.350
Stone Bourbon Barreled 15th Anniversary Escondidian Black IPA with Espresso Beans
CA, United States
1
3.350
Oskar Blues Bayside Black IPA
CO, United States
1
3.350
Full Sail Bump In The Night
OR, United States
6
3.345
Big Rig Release The Hounds Black IPA
Canada
4
3.343