Hop Strike Black IPA - Tommyknocker Brewery

Jparker37

Wisconsin

4.06/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into an oversized tulip. Best by 4.1.13

A - Big tight tan head holds on for a long while. Not opaque but very dark. Nice amount of lacing.

S - Packed full of pine hops. Mild floral and citrus notes. Malt chimes in as smooth chocolate and biscuit.

T - Has strong malt presence. Creamy chocolate malt leads into a more spicy hop flavor midway. Bitterness is middle of the road in strength. Leaves my mouth with a semi-dry feel and a lingering spicy/piney hop flavor. Hides almost all signs of alcohol.

M - Medium body, medium carbonation, semi-dry.

O - This beer is loaded with aroma and flavor. I tend to gravitate towards Black IPAs that focus a little more on hops but I did enjoy this interpretation. The chocolate malts lended greatly to the smooth feel of this beer and held a nice profile of flavor. Great feel and is quite deceptive in strength.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 02:15:49 | More by Jparker37

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.14/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

BB 1/13. consumed 3/13.

A: Dark ice tea pour appears a very dark brown in the vessel. The head is thin, milky, weakly holding, and khaki in color. Lacing is spotty, spacious, small and uneventful. The coloring appeared more dark brown then black with some dark melot edges from lighting.

S: Floral hops on the nose, orchard and dry celery tones with a strength that is a bit underwhelming per style.

T: Flavor faired a bit better, roasty pine, soft burnt woodiness, dry coffee, dry citrus and toasted rye leaves a bit of lingering peppercorns and caraway behind. Chocolate coffee roast and some burnt caramel sweetness sneaks in.

M: A bit above average for the mouthful, average rate of carbonation, body leans on the lighter side of medium while there was a bit of chewy oat texture.

O: Overall an average rate of drinkability, some level of hop respectability, though the complexity was rather lax and laid back. A C+ feels about right here.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 00:14:59 | More by beerthulhu

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.91/5  rDev -23%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

It'd be pretty odd to strike a vein of hop cones whilst pickaxing through a mine shaft, eh? Anyway, this stuff pours a dark garnet-brown topped by a finger of glowing off-cream foam. The nose comprises toasted malts, pine sap, light molasses, and sour grapefruit rind. There's a strangely acrid quality in there, despite the thick pall of roasty sweetness up front. The taste continues this harsh dichotomy, stark proof that disagreements far too often lead to battles, rather than orchestrated discussion. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, a generally unattractive and clashy black IPA, the two things you wanna avoid when brewing the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 00:12:26 | More by TMoney2591

klkatz

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

good dark cola coffee black... nice. (4.5)

taste (3) is MALTY... guess I'd expect more Rye - is this an IPA (where's the bitter?) - though seems traditional IPAs aren't bitter, just the American ones...

aroma is malty, smokey... yummy. 3.5

overall - I'd save this for the cold nights of Monday Night Football... late season games in december...

gets a pretty good rating from me... would bye if I saw on the shelf... well done.

Idaho? No... You da ho!

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 02:14:13 | More by klkatz

Chaney

District of Columbia

3.48/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Served in a Magic Hat glass that the owner of Fox & Parrot gave me.

A: Almost pitch black, big mocha head.

S: Almost like a black and tan. Big dark malt component, followed by some hops. Pedestrian.

T: Same as the nose, only the roast won out by a nose.

M: Carbonation was fine, lotsa lacing.

O: Meh. Not a fan of the style overall, but I'm warming up to it base on entries by Stone and Firestone Walker. I'll pass.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 04:14:16 | More by Chaney

metter98

New York

3.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A: The beer is nearly black in color—amber is visible at the sides and bottom of the glass when it is held up to a light source. It poured with a finger high frothy tan colored head that has good retention properties and consistently left a short head covering the surface and lots of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of dark, roasted malts in the nose along with hints of pine resin hops.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and also has some notes of chocolate malts along with a moderate amount of hop bitterness. There are notes of spiciness from the rye in the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I found this Black IPA to be quite easy to drink because it has a good base of malts supporting the hop bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 03:08:02 | More by metter98

RockyRaku

Arizona

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I poured this into a pint glass. The head was about 1-2 fingers, creamy with some lacing....contrary to other reviews, this had light carbonation and a seemingly thinner head. This combined with the black and hazy finish made an pleasing appearance. I took many liberal whiffs of this beer and I came across what seemed to be a strong and inviting toasty and smoky aroma with a slight sweet smell. I tasted dark fruit and pine. Beer had a decent amount of appealing flavors that did not linger too long. . The beer was relatively smooth with an above average full bodied sense...but not overpowering. Hops and malts seemed to be very balanced. I may try this again a bit warmer sample... initially it may have been too cold.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 04:02:16 | More by RockyRaku

DannyHartman

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

As I pour a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass, a nice 2-inch tan head appears atop a brew that is blacker than black.... As I hold it under the light; however, I see a tint of amber red.... This brew has good retention and leaves tons of lacing throughout the drink.

I take a whiff and get upfront toasted malts followed by earthiness, pine, and even a little cocoa.... Funny thing is that there isn't much of a hoppy smell for being an I.P.A..

During the drink, I mostly get toasted malts like the nose.... Again, there's only the slightest hoppiness in the taste just like the nose.... Strange due to the fact that it's an "I.P.A.".... I also get a little coffee in the taste.

I'd say this is a medium-bodied brew with moderate carbonation.... It's very silly and smooth with a bitter and boozy aftertaste that lingers for a bit.

Overall, this is an interesting brew.... I enjoyed it, though it wasn't what I was expecting.... Would certainly try it again.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 19:24:38 | More by DannyHartman

GiantMidget

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Third bottle of this that I've had from a Tommyknocker variety sampler purchased at Limerick Beverage in Limerick PA.

Poured into a pint glass, significant off white/brownish head, I would say easily 4 fingers, overflowing the glass.
Much lacing.
The color is to be expected from a black IPA, however that head was a bit much for my liking. Felt like I was only drinking half of a beer.

Malt and hop scent emerges quickly, slight pine as well.
Very toasted nature, hops and bitter but not overpowering.
The 78 IBU is not lost on this one...very evident.

Very well rounded black IPA, full carbonation and a palate pleaser.
I'd recommend any black IPA fan to check it out!

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 01:49:06 | More by GiantMidget

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass.

Pours a very nice dark amber and caramel brown with a good 0.25 inch light cream head that is dense and recedes fairly quickly. (4.5)

Starts off with some awesome grassy and herbal pine that is not too intense but very rich and fuul. There are some roasted malt notes and slight cocoa notes. Very nice aroma. Delicious mix of resinous piney hops with some nice spicy rye notes and some slight sweetness. The back end of the aroma is dominated by the rye spice and grain earthiness. (4.0)

Upon first inspection. Delicious. Rye IPA notes mixed in with some roasted, darker malts. Spicy hop notes start things off and play well with the spicy, earthy grains. There is some slight malt sweetness and a slight cocoa note as well that works well with the earthy grain, the rye spice and the resinous and spicy hops. Mouthfeel is smooth and silky with some good carbonation. (4.0) (4.0)

Very good ABA. Not strong or extremely hoppy. Great balance of the dark malts the rye spice and the hops. (4.0)

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2012 02:50:54 | More by JoEBoBpr

dfillius

Michigan

4.08/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass

A: Aggressive pour yields 1 finger of thick tight head with stellar retention. Looks like Whipped cream with hard peaks! Ideal. Dark brown clear liquid is 2 steps shy of black. I'd like it to be a little darker for an ABA.
S: Pine, coffee, dark chocolate. Some apple-y fruit ester. Pleasant.
T: Mellow, pronounced roast with fair APA level bitterness leaning towards the grapefruit side. Slightly sweet. I like ABA's a bit hoppier. This is more like an American Brown Ale maybe. Tasty regardless.
M: Smooth and silky, as if it was poured from a nitro tap.
O: An easy drinker. Very enjoyable. I'd like a second pint. I'd maybe buy a 6-pack. This won't be the last time I have this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 20:41:45 | More by dfillius

BierStein711

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

So smooth!!!

Bottle poured into imperial pint, four finger head crests the glass and overflows briefly.

Jet black with beige head

Smells of rye, hop, and grain

Flavor is of bitter hop, and smooth, smoothest rye. This isn't too complex of a beer, but it is fantastic in so many ways.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, and thick. Carbonation is not too noticeable

Overall, this is a fantastic beer from Colorado. I'm going to explore the Tommyknocker brewery's portfolio at this point. I'm inspired. Black Strike has struck me!! I'm going to dive into Colorado quality!!

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 16:37:41 | More by BierStein711

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

What a nose on this one. Real citrus and pine hop tones that hit you when you first open it. Unfortunately, it drops to a lesser strength not long after the pour. The flavor profile is nice, but honestly, I was expecting a bit more punch after the initial whiff of the nose. It's still decent though. Nice enough black ale tones that keep it interesting enough. I bet this would be good on cask. Doubt I'll ever see that though. Worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 23:16:02 | More by RblWthACoz

Mister_Falcon

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured an impenetrably dark red-brown with a inch and a half of head into a pint glass, the head sat there for a while.

Smelled of hops and a little bit of malt.

A very toasty, roasty flavor with a fair helping of hops and bitterness.

Not the best "Black IPA" I've ever had but it's alright, I don't think I would buy any real quantity of this beer if it came down to it. This beer looks and smells better than it tastes and feels, those are the wrong two if you ask me.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 03:42:13 | More by Mister_Falcon

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

3.8/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours black into Teku glass. Nice cream colored head that lingers well with lots of lacing along sides of glass.

Smell is heavy with chocolate and toasted malts. Not very hoppy but there is a hint present. Little coffee as well.

Taste is heavy with toasted malt. Definitely not what I would call an IPA flavor. More in line with a stout. Lots of dark chocolate and malt. Good bitterness. Very tasty, but not what I was expecting.

Mouthfeel is creamy and medium bodied.

Overall this was good. Not really for the hop-heads. Would definitely buy again.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 21:23:26 | More by TrappistJohnMD

donmonkey1

Tennessee

4.23/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours an opaque dark brown/black with a nice frothy tan head that has awesome lacing. The head could have been a little thicker and last a little longer.

Smell: Powdered malt used to brew your own beer. Sweet, burnt toast, brown sugar, roasted nuts, coffee.

Taste: Sweet hops, sugary pine tree bark, licorice (black and red), interesting bitterness and sweetness at the same time.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, lacks carbonation, boring.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 19:40:12 | More by donmonkey1

suspect

New York

3.23/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Samuel Adams Perfect Pint glass.

A: Dark brown pour. Aggressive pour leads to a thick 2 finger espresso foam colored head. Lacing sticks to the entire glass.

S: Lots of toasted malts with a pinch of hearty hops to go along with it. Not an amazing smell but good nonetheless.

T: Good enough mix of toasted malts and hops but there really isn't much else going on the flavor.

M: Okay, kind of thin. Plenty carbonated.

O: Pretty average black IPA. Not great, not terrible. Pretty easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 04:15:05 | More by suspect

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

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

Reviewed from notes.

A. Dark brown in color with a three finger head, retains for more than three minutes, leaves moderate levels of lacing behind. A real pretty beer!

S. The initial aroma upon cracking open the bottle was a brief burst of pine resin and nothing else, but thirty seconds later the entire nose blossomed into existence, presenting me with a lightly roasted chocolate malt / black peppercorn sort of aroma profile with the pine resin taking up the role of background support.

T,M. Medium resinous bitterness with a medium roasted character throughout and the chocolate / peppercorn combo from the nose as well. Nice bitter lingering finish. Medium body and carbonation levels keep things sharp, but not too sharp, on the tongue.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2012 16:56:49 | More by WastingFreetime

drakkath

Alabama

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

16 ounce bottle purchased from Whole Foods into 32 oz mug; can't find a freshness date on this one.

a: black, very dark brown in front of light, 1 finger head with some lacing

s: I love the smell of this beer. Very fruity, some citrus hop presence. Perhaps some roasted coffee beans

t: Taste like a very hoppy black ale. I know I'm stating the obvious, but that's what's here. Definitely taste the coffee and some chocolate. The hops seem to layer nicely over the coffee and chocolatey flavors here. Very interesting flavor.

m: This just feels a little under carbonated to me. It's not flat, but it's not as crisp as I feel like it should be. Medium body.

o: I am not a fan of black or brown ales. I actually hate them. I love IPAs, however. Picked this one up with low expectations (and only because it said IPA) but I'm really fond of this beer. It's a great marriage, to me, of the two styles. Although not as hoppy as most regluar IPAs, the flavors balance well. If I saw another 16 oz of this, I'd definitely grab one, but this one wouldn't be a session beer. Consider me pleasantly surprised.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 18:00:35 | More by drakkath

TheSarge

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured this brew into a standard pint glass, and the brew forms a thin tan head of about a pinkie in thickness. The body is jet black, but shows off dark ruby red hues when held up to sunlight.

The aroma is copper metallic, toasted graininess, floral and citrusy hops.

The flavor has a kind of milky quality, a little cocoa, lemony hops, and finishes off bitter in the way of burnt toast.

Feels mildly carbonated, full in body, oily slick, and wets the palate in the end but has a mild warmth to it.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 20:01:19 | More by TheSarge

Billolick

New York

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle, "Best By" dating on the side of the label

Pours very dark brown, frothy tan head, slow to settle, leaves a nice thick collar, fine sheeting and spots of lace.

Complex nose with hints of chocolate malts, and citric hops.

Sniff leads to the palate, with more chocolate and citrus picked up.
Carbonation is on point and I'd say this is on the slightly heavier side of the mouthfeel scale.
Better then average hoppy black ale (they call it a black IPA on the label). Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 23:46:06 | More by Billolick

bnes09

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dark, brown, nearly black and opaque brew with good head retention and lacing.

Citrusy aroma of grapefruit and tangerines. Sweet and smooth with hints of roastiness in the mix.

Hop forward flavor with citric and pine flavors adding and acidic bite. Mild burnt malt flavor, toasty and rich. Well balanced with lingering hop flavor.

Light to medium bodied. Slick feel. Descent carbonation.

Good stuff. Like to complexity and balance.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 02:26:53 | More by bnes09

dlello2

Illinois

3.23/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

A - Nice. Black IPA color. Little head.

S - Not all that much going on. Very little hop presence. Malts come through and maybe a touch of caramel.

T - Decent. Average. The best thing I can say about it is that it tastes very refreshing. Not much hops and even the malts take a back seat. Not overly sweet. Nice.

M - This was the best part of the beer. Perfectly carbonated, perfect medium body. Very sessionable.

O - Maybe I should have had this beer fresher (this one spent a few months in the fridge) but for me it was as average as they come. Not that I wouldn't enjoy it again... just not one to seek out.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 01:38:00 | More by dlello2

duderus123

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance -DARK Brown, Bordering Black, it does have some clarity The head didn't hang around... who needs it with an ale.

Smell - It smells pretty dank. India's are always pretty hefty ... my nose is confused...

Taste - It's almost like a chocolaty licorice flavor comes out. Malt taste is very dark, hops are strong and dry but take a back seat to the kick you in the teeth roasted malt flavor. Very bitter, but very good.

Mouthfeel - Heavy. It leaves a syrupy feel in your palate

Overall - Not for the faint of heart are any IPA's. It smells hefty, it tastes hefty, it feels hefty, it looks hefty. I wish it was a bit hoppier, but its a good one

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 04:52:06 | More by duderus123

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

3.7/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into standard pint.

A - Nearly black with a ruby hue and a two finger beige head. Retains well and leaves a nice lacing.

S - Toasty malts combined with piney hops, wood, and some smoke. I don't get very much of the rye, but the other smells work nicely.

T - Slightly bitter up front but smooths out as it goes down. I now detect the rye that the nose was lacking. Wonderful balance of pine, toastiness, and a hint of chocolate. The aftertaste is burnt coffee.

M - It is pretty thick and velvety which supports the toasty flavors well. Carbonation is good as well. Finish is smooth and somewhere between dry and moist.

O - The flavors are exactly what I look for in a Black IPA. It is on the hoppy side but the toasted malts are robust enough to balance it out. I like the fact that they use rye malts because they add a unique character to the beer. I have had better black ales but this one is very good and I will probably get it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 04:38:53 | More by NoLeafClover44