Dubhe Imperial Black IPA - Uinta Brewing Company

cvm4

Mississippi

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours black in color, doesn't seem overly thick. Creamy off tan two finger head. Great lacing.

S - Roasted malts, sweetened expresso and syrup/molasses.

T - Big notes of roasted malts & brown sugar. Piney hops cut the opening tastes to lead with a bitter finish.

M - Full body & medium carbonation.

O - A solid black DIPA that delivers. It's worth a buy.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 21:10:26 | More by cvm4

IronLover

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Black in color with mahogany tones on the edges of the glass. Poured with a short beige foam that reduced to a nice cap that left random sticky lacings on the glass. Pungent pine and citrus hop aromas with grainy dark roasted malt aromas beneath. Thick, oily feel up front that transitioned to a grainy, reisnous feel at the end. Pungent pine and citrus, mostly pine, that ride over dark roasted malts. The hop and dark malts ceate an intense but flavorful bitterness. Finishes cleanly with a dark roasted malt, roasted coffee and pine hop aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 03:58:20 | More by IronLover

jbphoto88

Texas

3.63/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A deep rich brown colored beer with plenty of coffee colored head. A good showing right out of the gate.

The nose is chock-full of brown sugar, toasted malts and generous hops. A great smelling brew that begs you to drink it

Sadly the taste slips slightly from the nose and appearance. The roasted grains and brown sugar dominate the taste like the nose but the hops fade into the background which is disappointing. To me the flavor edges more towards a stout or porter then blAck IPA.

The mouthfeel is full bodied with a good dose of carbonation that is a nice contrast to the smooth sweet feel of the grains. Hops are present and nicely acidic but could always be more for my taste. A solid brew that's worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 02:20:18 | More by jbphoto88

eriktoyra

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a dark brown, almost black liquid into the glass. There are a lots of visible carbonation bubbles. The head is fudge colored and creamy. Nice lacings on the glass.

S: It smells of roasted malts, wet leather, dark bread and molasses. The hops are more spicy and floral than citrusy. I can also find some delicately hidden alchohol.

T: It tastes of roasted malts, dark bread and molasses with some spicy hops. The aftertaste is bitter and clean with some warming alcohol. The bitterness tasted like grapefruit peel.

M: The body is medium with medium strong carbonation. If feels very, very smooth and balanced.

O: I'm usually not very fond of this beer style but this one is an exception. A must try!

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 18:11:24 | More by eriktoyra

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

imperial black ipa with hemp seeds. this is a really unique brew. pours a nice dark brown smooth looking color with a very excited tan head on top that stays for awhile, leaving lots of lacing on the glass. the nose is not hops right away, but a complex combination of malts, chocolate and toast come up first, and maybe even some oats or something. there is a gentle sweetness too, followed by a growing bitterness. the whole thing culminates in a powerfully delicious brew. notes of coffee and burnt bagel at the end with the bitter hops, and a scarily well hidden alcohol potency that makes a 4 pack tough to get through without being dickered. velvet gentle mouthfeel, just enough bubbles for it to not be heavy, full body but not weighty at all. overall a sensational beer, one of the best ive had from uinta.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 17:33:20 | More by StonedTrippin

arizcards

Arizona

4.33/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a 4 pack from Total Wine in mid-September for $7.99. Bottled on 7-3-12.

Beer poured dark brown with a nice tan head that is leaving lacing behind.

Nose is citrus and pine, with a hint of roast and mocha.

Taste is very well balance, chocolate malts lay a nice backbone. Citrus and piney hops counteract the sweetness in a near perfect manner.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth.

Overall this is a very good beer that i would do again. As good as any black ipa i have had to date. Very easy drinking despite the high abv. Love the hop blast paired with chocolate malt - almost could be considered an imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 23:12:54 | More by arizcards

BucannonXC5

California

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12-oz. bottle into a pint glass at my house on Nov. 7, 2012 (purchased at World Market in La Mesa (San Diego, Calif.) for $9.99 for a 4-pack on Nov. 7, 2012). Light black (if that is a color) with two fingers of tan head. Great circular tan retention on the side and above average on the top.

Smelled toffee, caramel and dark chocolate malts up front, giving way to a hop finish. Couldn’t put my finger on the type of hops, though. Seemed pretty a heavy beer overall.

Tasted similar to the smell. Got toffee and coffee malts up front, followed by a hoppy finish. Bitter coffee beans in there, albeit light. Very good overall.

Medium-to-full body. Creamy texture. Average-to-soft carbonation. Bitter finish.

Really good Black IPA. Not too many negatives at all. Glad I have four of these. Uinta is just so good…

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 07:26:25 | More by BucannonXC5

ghengisflan

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: It pours with a nice, thick tan head and leaves plenty of lacing on the glass. The beer is the darkest possible red.

Smell: The well-rounded hop aroma coming off this beer comes with just the slightest hint of dark malt.

Taste: A great, dark chocolate malty flavor that is well supported by the hops.

Mouthfeel: I like that it has a rich mouthfeel compared to an IPA. It sets the black IPA apart a bit.

Overall: An excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 00:36:24 | More by ghengisflan

One2Remeber

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Black lagoon body with a creamy, lite mocha head which stays put.

S: Roasty chalky chocolate. Not burnt at all makes it an enjoyable roastiness. Big pungent American hops are not tamed. Smells thick like hersey syrup. Clean aroma without any booziness.

T: Malts and hops fight for attention. Smooth, creamy, roasted chocolate up front to a pungent, herbal hop flavor.

M: Unique blend of a chalky dry feel with a slightly sticky lingering feel.

O: Great interpretation of a Black IPA. The mouthfeel I expect, not as thick or bitter as a stout, with a hop presence that is richly bitter but not over-top-taste that sits on pallet taking away from the malts.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 18:24:06 | More by One2Remeber

mpedara429

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours out a little darker than cola with two fingers of light brown head. Good retention and heavy lacing.

S: Piney hops, carmel and roasted malt, and a little grapefruit.

T: Taste matches the nose. Some milk chocolate and earthiness in there too. Not even a trace of booze. Somehow this is 109 IBU and I had no idea. Terrific balance.

M: Medium to heavy body. Creamy and smooth.

O: A bottle was gifted to me and I'm sad I haven't been able to find it on my own. This is a great brew. Not popping with flavor but a real easy drinker for an imperial. Plus, the creaminess is something I don't usually see in black IPAs and it is a great fit.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 06:32:27 | More by mpedara429

BEERMILER12

Maine

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Best Before 12/30/12

A: Pours a very dark brown color with 2 fingers worth of tannish brown head

S: Some nice dark fruit and roasty malts up front, along with chocolate and some earthy hops

T: Follows the nose, with the addition of some resinous pine and coffee. Complex with waves of different flavors

M: Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth

O: A very good black ale with plenty of hops and enough malts to keep it balanced. Very easy to drink given the abv. I say we have a winner here

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 05:34:21 | More by BEERMILER12

larryi86

Delaware

4.23/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a tulip

A- Black with a three finger light tab head.

S- Roasted malts, citrus hops, pine, kind of dank, some chocolate.

T- Very hoppy, tropical fruits and citrus hops, piney, resin, some coffee and chocolate, great complexity, really wowed me.

M- Smooth, a little creamy, medium body.

O- A great black IPA, very hop. This is the second beer I have tried from Uinta and this is much better than the first. Will pick this up again.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 00:24:58 | More by larryi86

alexgash

Connecticut

4.4/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle. Best before 12/21/12.

Dark maple syrup garnet-brown. Sticky, frothy, light khaki brown head. Good lacing. Big piny hop nose. Some mint and resin. Roasted barley and traces of caramel malt lurk beneath.

Bitter, herbal, minty hops up front. Wallop of sweetish, roasty, caramel-y malt barrels in. Hops turn more citrusy, but with plenty of resinous pine in tow. Finish is a mix of coffee and hop bitterness. Some lingering sticky malt. Medium-full body with a very creamy feel. Very well done!

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 03:42:04 | More by alexgash

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a duvel glass

A: pours a dark brown, a few shades off from black with a finger of off white head, the color of the head reminds me of eggnog, which is strange to me, dissapates into a film, not much lacing.

S: a decent of hops, I get notes of grapefruit and a touch of mango, along with a touch of pine and some roastyness, some caramel in there as well.

T: nice lightly roasty malt character defined with a very nice blend of citrusy hops and a little bi of pine, the hops seem to be what is more on display here then the malts and they are quite delicious. A touch of alcohol starts to come in as the brew warms

M: light medium body, I feel like this brew deffinatly says a little bit more in the ipa side of things then the porter or stout, slightly dry on the finish with a rich of lingering bitterness.

O: a pretty good black ipa, again I'd say this one ends up a bit more on the ipa side of the spectrum, nice hop flavor here.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 00:21:18 | More by PeterIngemi

Phelps

Arizona

3.8/5  rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed in a snifter at world of beer.

Black, black, black. No light getting through any part of this. One finger of frothy tan bubbles coats the walls. Foreboding.

A dollop of dry dark chocolate, followed quickly by grass and pine needles. Good amount of grapefruit peel as well. Pithy.

Nice change-up in the flavor. The dark malts are roasted, rather than just black, which gives the brew a nice finish of toast and burnt peanut. Grass and orange blend on the hoppy side, while burnt malts add acrid bitterness to the sides of the tongue.Very orangey up front, but a nice toasted brown ale finish.

Smooth medium-light body, moderate carbonation. Active. The alcohol should be way more noticeable than it is.

Decent. Not mind-blowing. A good balance of malt and hops. I enjoy how the roast plays a role in flavor, rather than simply adding color.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2012 07:03:10 | More by Phelps

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer #36 in my great Utah Brew Hunt.

Oh, the infamous Dubhe. How I have waited for our paths to cross.

This strikes me as the quintessential black ale. It doesn't get really boisterous and loud in its personality, but it is definitely delivering. Consistent flavor. Carries the tones I expect for the style. Has that after effect of hoppy tones with the robust black ale body attached to it.

Well, I can see why people talk this beer up. It's nice to see beers that really go all the way out and exceed all others, but it's also nice to see beers that can match style parameters without having to be showy or out there to prove a point. I can definitely suggest this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 01:57:11 | More by RblWthACoz

rangerred

Tennessee

4.15/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours an opaque black with a one finger tan head. Decent head retention and lacing.

Aroma is absolutely glorious. A huge shot of pine and a little citrus blends wonderfully with cocoa and roast undertones. Really a great smelling ABA.

Lots of pine along with pineapple and grapefruit on the taste. There is a quick shot of alcohol followed by heavily roasted malt. A little bit of dark chocolate and coffee follows along with bitterness seemingly from the roasted malt. Bitterness is very high as to be expected with 109 ibu's. Mouthfeel is very slick and oily and a little bit light.

Overall, this an amazing ABA. Probably the best one I have ever had. The alcohol is barely present and the roasted character shines through remarkably. Something I will have to pick up again whenever I can find it.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 00:59:57 | More by rangerred

Kendo

New York

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from the bottle into a pint glass. Body appears black, but when backlit it's brown with mahogany/crimson hues on the edges. Small (half-finger) khaki-colored head rests on top. Leaves nice lace with each sip.

S: The nose I like for an American Black Ale - roasty malt and juicy hops. Both are evident and both are fairly pronounced.

T: Dry roasted barley malt and charcoal up front, followed by a nice juicy citrusy hop flavor. Finishes with char/charcoal and ash. Quite dry, with a water-sucking, lingering dry hoppy bitterness - think bitter, chewed-up pine needles. Heat from the ABV noted in the belly.

M: Medium-plus in heft; carbonation is modest, making it slightly creamy and even slick at times.

O: Good stuff. I like it really roasty like this. Very close to being exactly what I look for in an American Black Ale, though I have to say the claimed 109 IBUs really make this a palate-shredder. Tempted to lower the score here to 4.0 based on drinkability concerns, but I think I'll leave it at 4.5 for an "overall" positive impression.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 01:45:30 | More by Kendo

nickfl

Florida

4.23/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours with one finger of tan foam on top of an opaque, black body. The head settles at a moderate pace and leaves nice, thick lace on the glass.

S - Pungent, green hops with a background note of coffee.

T - Pine hops and dark caramel up front. Some roasted notes in the middle with a mocha character and more green pine. Finishes with coffee, modately strong bitterness and a lingering note of char.

M - Medium-thick body, moderate carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - pretty well done, the hop character is nice with a pine character that works well with the roast. The malt character is, if anything too roasty, which is the opposite of the problem most black ipa seem to suffer from.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 03:43:56 | More by nickfl

Gushue3

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into mastic hotel cup.

A. Nice 1+ finger head tan head sits above a robust black body. Somewhat transparent on the pour but black in the glass. Beer is slightly lively with some visable carbonation. Nice lacing rings left after the head goes down.

S. Roasted dark malts, earthy hops. Not too overwhelming but smells nice

T. Roasty dark malts, bitter coffee, piney hops.finish is a big bitter bite with a piney linger. Tastes like black coffee dumped into a bag of weed.

M. Medium to thicker feel with a lower carbonation. Finish is slightly syrupy.

O. Nice ABA. I like t how you can actually taste the pronounced roast unlike many ABAs that are to hop centric.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 19:30:56 | More by Gushue3

asabreed

New York

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle into a 10 oz. Samuel Smith nonic.

Appearance: I need to start realizing that most Black IPAs are not, in fact, opaque like a RIS. That said, this looks really nice in the glass, with a very dark amber color throughout the body, and a nice chocolate-covered-cherry colored head that sticks around in nice sheets above the top of the body.

Smell: A nice sense of hemp and oily hops, more on the citrus and bitter grapefruit side of things, with some nice mild chocolate, berries, and a good sense of not-overpowering char that mingles with and lingers in the background.

Taste: Very nicely hopped to be sure, with some bright citrus coming through, almost into mild sweetness territory, to grapefruit-ring bitterness, to lingering char and mild chocolate and berries. It's interesting how with each sip there's a layer of flavors to take in, and that's what a good Black IPA can do that I've noticed. If it's on, complexity and nuance -- along with strength in most cases -- keep surprising you changing, and if it's off, it can become a complete mess. I feel like this may be one of the hardest styles to get right, and that makes sense.

Mouthfeel: Not as heavy-bodied as I'd first assumed it would be, as there's a nice creaminess that balances the medium body, and nothing feels too cloying or syrupy in the least.

Drinkability: This is a palate-wrecker of a brew, and one to take on, most likely, at the end of a sampling, or as the last pint at a bar. Though this isn't my favorite style, Uinta's doing a lot of great things here, and this is the kind I'd go back to: complex, nuanced, and strong. A good balance that, if done right, can be a kind of weird but very pleasurable experience for the palate, and I'm looking forward to trying more across the board in the future.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 01:38:15 | More by asabreed

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep amber to black in color with a light tan head. In the aroma, a lighter roast and some pine hops. In the taste, a small hop and a small caramel like roast. A hop bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry pine hop and caramel maltiness in the aftertaste. Nice roast and big pine hops, hides the alcohol, and pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 15:54:09 | More by OWSLEY069

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured hard from bottle into a Founders pint glass. Loads of light tan head with considerable lacing. Dark, dark brown, almost black coloring, with hints of deep red. From a distance, this would appear to be a stout. Look is fantastic. Smell is great too. Hints of smoke, but mostly I get sweet floral hops with some malt and maybe a bit of caramel. It smells nothing like it looks, I suppose overall smell is typical of an imperial IPA. Taste is similar -- like a smokey IIPA, and incredibly drinkable. Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy with little bite and carbonation. This is a fantastic beer, I wish I had picked up more than one bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 21:57:56 | More by rodlavers

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dubhe poured a deep black color, with a nice sized creamy tan head. Their was a nice strong smokey burnt floral aroma. The taste had strong bold hop flavors, with a strong smokey malty undertone, that finished bitter and dry. Nice strong flavors, and could drink a few of these easily. Overall a fantastic black ale.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2012 21:51:34 | More by vette2006c5r

Chico1985

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I've had this a few times now, bouts time for a review.

Pours a dark red, some clarity when held to the light. Nice creamy tan head retains well.

Big fruity and piny hops in the scent - grapefruit, tropical, pineapple comes to mind. Nice chocolatey caramel backs it up with some roasted coffee there too.

Taste is great and a slight improvement over the scent. Hops are huge for a black IPA - lots of bright fruitiness that leans towards tropical and resiny pine (must be the hemp). The "blackness" is big as well, but sweeter than most for the style with milk chocolate and caramel. Light roastiness and bread.

Big mouthfeel that's kinda foamy. Big bitterness and some alcohol bite make this a bit of a sipper.

Overall this has been great every time I've had it, a standout for the style at a pretty good price. The hops are the showcase but good flavor all around.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 17:38:59 | More by Chico1985