Firestone Walker - Wookey Jack

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Yup. Its a black IPA. Its good. Is it that much better than Black Cannon or whatever the 21st Amendment one is called that I'd continually spend $8 a bomber for it? Probably not.

I also don't get much rye, its overshadowed by the roast malts and hops. 

Stone - More Brown Than Black IPA

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This was pretty tasty. I think I smell some galaxy hops (i thought it was simcoe at first, but the label corrected me).

Really great fruity, tropical hops taste. Only slightly dark malt flavors. If you close your eyes, you can't really tell this is a dark ipa. Slightly bitter. I'd recommend it.

New Belgium - Snow Day

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Ew. This has a weird soapy/metallic aftertaste. Would not recommend.

DuClaw - Oak Aged Double Black Lightning

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

I ran across two barrel aged offerings from DuClaw and decided to pick them up in an effort to drink local.

This is actually really good. I think its based off of their normal black IPA, but it tastes more like a subtlety piney stout than a super piney/citrusy/whatever IPA. There are notes of vanilla from the barrel aging. I'd recommend it.

Stone - 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Ridiculous long name.

Really bitter. Some chocolate and a slight licorice sweetness. Eh.

Heavy Seas Black Cannon

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

This beer met expectations. I'd drink it again. I think I like it better than the cans of Back in Black that I had.

Sierra Nevada - Juniper Black Ale

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

Hmm. This was... interesting. It tastes like a black IPA with an off aftertaste. I'm not sure I really taste the juniper a lot except for the aftertaste. I wouldn't go out of my way to buy this (or drink it).


Bonus Mandy Thoughts:
Oh god, it has an aftertaste of like marijuana.

Sam Adams Longshot - Blackend Hops

From Joe Drinks Dinner and Stuff

These bottles are just so goofy.

This is actually a pretty good black IPA.

Full Sail Bump in the Night

I kind of like this. No lingering bitterness. A slight taste of coffee & citrus. Not heavy.

Bonus Mandy Review:
Eh, its okay. But I'd rather have a mini-egg. [Goes to closet and grabs bag of Cadbury Mini-Eggs.]

Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

Pretty sure I've had this before.

Truly bitter. Lots of grapefruit and piney hoppiness. Thanks to the Mikkeller & Weyerbacher brews single-hop brews, I can taste the Simcoe hops in it. Slight roasted malt /chocolate flavor underlying the hops.

I should have bought two bottles.

21st Amendment Back in Black

Slightly bitter but with a nice roast malt taste. Almost just a bitter porter.

If I recall correctly, this was a hit with the table.

Brew Dog Bashah

A collaboration between Brew Dog and Stone Brewing. The bottle described it as a Black Belgian Style Double Indian Pale Ale.

A strong roasted malt flavor with a slightly bitter aftertaste. The hops is definitely present here. Not sure I'd describe it as an IPA of any sort, but I haven't had a "Black IPA" before.

Its slightly interesting, but I don't think I'd get another.

Victory Yakima Twilight

Lots of roasted caramel taste with a lot of carbonation. Hops provide a nice balance in this. Its not too sweet which I like. Solid brew.