Outcast, pariah, anti-hero, the black sheep. In our books the black sheep of brewing could well be the Black IPA. You have to wonder why? Why would someone brew one? I love me a toasty roasty cocoa coffee stout, and a nice hoppy IPA is a juicy joy to behold ….. but combine the two? Not only does it make no sense, it seems counterintuitive to me.
It’s not a highly favoured genre among the COM to say the least. No super suds status attained and no love lost.* But wait, there’s still hope. Forked River received one of the highest ratings ever given for their Full City Coffee Porter. Can FR elevate this black sheep of a brew to super suds status? Nope.
Ink black pour with a two finger froth to blow off, certainly a fine looking beer. But it looks nothing like an IPA, this one is a sheep in stout’s clothing. A hopped-up roast malt aroma, an odd and somewhat disconcerting introduction. First taste is a watery mouthfeel with a balanced mix of roasted malt cocoa morphing into a heavy handed hoppy finish and aftertaste. The combination drives dark and dank to new depths. Will it grow on me or grow old on me?
I tried, I really did. But I never really got into this one, I’m guessing it’s a good Black IPA, but not my cup of tea. I get the feeling if you could separate the two then you would have a tasty black lager and a hoppy IPA to enjoy. Together, not so good.
*Editor’s Comment: Although Black IPAs received no super suds ratings from formal reviews, Bootlegger Black IPA from Lake on the Mountain Brewery received an average rating of 15 out of 20 at the 5th COMDB AGM (Annual Golf Meeting).
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