I went through the usual weekly prep for the spotlight, finding examples to highlight, then I opened my computer to find Vinepair had written on the same topic. Black IPAs, or Cascadian Dark ale, hit their high note in the 2010s. While the article talks about the roastiness and bitterness in the beer, Mitch Steele’s book IPA notes a number of examples that use Carafa, a debittered roast malt for the color to tone down the roast. That is my own preference for the beer as a style. BJCP notes “A beer with the dryness, hop-forward balance, and flavor characteristics of an American IPA, but darker in color. Darker malts add a gentle and supportive flavor, not a strongly roasted or burnt character.”

Carolina Brewery, Dark Saber 5.8% abv

Pine and citrus notes, it has a balanced vibe from then centennial and chinook hops, but the added twist from Elani hops brings it together. It features the Carafa malt I mentioned earlier. For now it’s mostly at the taprooms in Pittsboro and Chapel Hill, but it’s available in draft so ask for it at your local bottle shop.

Deep River Brewing, Backcountry Black IPA, 7.9% abv

This Black brew is as dark as they come with deep Brown foam with a rich hoppy aroma. The hops are apparent on the first sip but with a chocolate finish. Definitely more like West Coast but dark and as it warmed the resin and chocolate notes became more apparent.

Allagash Brewing, Haunted House Hoppy Dark Ale, 6.6% abv

This was suggested by the Lowe’s Beer Den manager; it featured Black body and lighter tan foam, it had a great hop aroma. But probably the most subdued hop flavor, probably because it was brewed as an Autumn seasonal, so that character had faded since the Summer. But it had just enough bitterness to balance the malt character of it, so I’ll check it out fresh next time.

Trophy Brewing, Come To the Coast We’ll Have Some Laughs 6.6% abv

Just to be clear, yes Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Great artwork on the can with a rich Black color and light tan foam. The bitterness is nice with a good roast too, more on the malt side and probably closer to the origins of the style.