21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA

Question 1

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - Overall Impression

Answer 1

A beer with the dryness, hop-forward balance, and flavor characteristics of an American IPA, only darker in color – but without strongly roasted or burnt flavors. The flavor of darker malts is gentle and supportive, not a major flavor component. Drinkability is a key characteristic.

Question 2

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - Aroma

Answer 2

A moderate to high hop aroma, often with a stone fruit, tropical, citrusy, resinous, piney, berry, or melon character. If dry hopped, can have an additional floral, herbal, or grassy aroma, although this is not required. Very low to moderate dark malt aroma, which can optionally include light chocolate, coffee, or toast notes. Some clean or lightly caramelly malty sweetness may be found in the background. Fruitiness, either from esters or from hops, may also be detected in some versions, although a neutral fermentation character is also acceptable.

Question 3

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - Appearance

Answer 3

Color ranges from dark brown to black. Should be clear, although unfiltered dry-hopped versions may be a bit hazy; if opaque, should not be murky. Good head stand with light tan to tan color should persist.

Question 4

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - Flavor

Answer 4

Medium-low to high hop flavor with tropical, stone fruit, melon, citrusy, berry, piney or resinous aspects. Medium-high to very high hop bitterness, although dark malts may contribute to the perceived bitterness. The base malt flavor is generally clean and of low to medium intensity, and can optionally have low caramel or toffee flavors. Dark malt flavors are low to medium-low; restrained chocolate or coffee flavors may be present, but the roasted notes should not be intense, ashy, or burnt, and should not clash with the hops. Low to moderate fruitiness (from yeast or hops) is acceptable but not required. Dry to slightly off-dry finish. The finish may include a light roast character that contributes to perceived dryness, although this is not required. The bitterness may linger into the aftertaste but should not be harsh. Some clean alcohol flavor can be noted in stronger versions.

Question 5

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - Mouthfeel

Answer 5

Smooth, medium-light to medium-bodied mouthfeel without significant hop- or (especially) roasted malt-derived astringency. Dry-hopped versions may be a bit resiny. Medium carbonation. A bit of creaminess may be present but is not required. Some smooth alcohol warming can and should be sensed in stronger (but not all) versions.

Question 6

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - Characteristic Ingredients

Answer 6

Debittered roast malts for color and some flavor without harshness and burnt qualities; American or New World hop varieties that don’t clash with roasted malts. Hop characteristics cited are typical of these type of hops; others characteristics are possible, particularly if derived from newer varietals.

Question 7

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - Style Comparison

Answer 7

Balance and overall impression of an American or Double IPA with restrained roast similar to the type found in Schwarzbiers. Not as roasty-burnt as American stouts and porters, and with less body and increased smoothness and drinkability.

Question 8

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - Comments

Answer 8

Most examples are standard strength. Strong examples can sometimes seem like big, hoppy porters if made too extreme, which hurts their drinkability. The hops and malt can combine to produce interesting interactions.

Question 9

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - History

Answer 9

A variation of the American IPA style first commercially produced by Greg Noonan as Blackwatch IPA around 1990. Popularized in the Pacific Northwest and Southern California of the US starting in the early-mid 2000s. This style is sometimes known as Cascadian Dark Ale (CDA), mainly in the Pacific Northwest.

Question 10

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - Commerical Examples

Answer 10

21st Amendment Back in Black (standard), Deschutes Hop in the Dark CDA (standard), Rogue Dad’s Little Helper (standard), Southern Tier Iniquity (double), Widmer Pitch Black IPA (standard)

Question 11

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - OG

Answer 11

1.050-1.085

Question 12

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - FG

Answer 12

1.010-1.018

Question 13

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - ABV

Answer 13

5.5-9

Question 14

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - IBU

Answer 14

50-90

Question 15

21B-2 Speciality IPA - Black IPA - SRM

Answer 15

25-40