Specialty Beer XXX Black Double IPA - Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

Kuaff

Alaska

4.34/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass.

The appearance is really quite fantastic. It's not the blackest of blacks, as it becomes a dark transparent brown when there's only a little left in the glass, but it's pretty darn black. The head is a good three or four fingers of light brown, billowy, fine foam with an aggressive pour.

It smells like a perfect blend of an imperial stout and a double IPA. The sweet, malty, slight chocolate aroma of a stout is there, but there's also that familiar strong hoppy smell. The stout characteristics remind me a quite a lot of the aroma of Old Raputin, which is a very good thing.

The taste does the same thing the smell does! This is my first black ale (or black DIPA, if you prefer), and it really is an amalgamation of a stout and an IPA. It's got that roasty, choclate after-taste, but also the juicy hop tanginess of a really good double IPA. I didn't know such a wicked fusion as this was possible...

I think it wouldn't have hurt for this to be a tad bit more carbonated, but this is just knit-picking. It's kind of thin, and very drinkable for being 8.5% ABV.

Overall, this is outstanding. A marvelous combination of two of my favorite styles which I think really has to be tried to be believed.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 03:46:01 | More by Kuaff

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -19%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

650 mL bottle poured into a Teku snifter.

Appearance - Almost black. Clings to the inside of the glass. Nice surface wisps.

Smell - Green pine hop aroma. Lots of nutty and chocolate malt. Very sweet smelling.

Taste - Very sweet. Less intense hoppiness. Much more sugar and chocolate. Overwhelms the black IPA aspects. Meh.

Mouthfeel - Very thick. Too sweet. Medium carbonation.

Overall - The sugars take over and kill most of the good flavors. Starts off well though.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 01:20:58 | More by Alieniloquium

Kendo

New York

3.99/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Poured from the bomber into a Piraat tulip/snifter-type glass. Body is black with a 1-finger, tight-bubbled light-brown head. Leaves behind good lacing.

S: Some roasty notes, a touch of hops - but not terribly strong in the nose all around.

T: Roasted barley malt, some charcoal or char and a lingering touch of chocolate malt at the finish. Hops are piney, and first impression is that they're not as strong or as juicy (citrusy) as I'd like. However, as it warms up a bit (or as my palate adjusts to the roasty flavors), I get more grapefuit and juicy hops. Alcohol is noted at the finish, both in heat and as a drying element. Heat felt in belly. Finishes with lingering roastiness that borders on burnt at times.

M: Good feel to this beer - quite smooth, with modest carbonation. Medium-to-full in heft, but drinks lighter.

O: Good. I was hoping for better, but this is solid.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 01:33:51 | More by Kendo

woemad

Washington

4.08/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle purchased at Enoteca in Post Falls, Idaho, for $9.99. No freshness date. Different label than the one picture above, and it appears Specialty Beer is no longer a part of this beer's name.

Poured a nearly black-looking dark brown that took on rubyish highlights on it’s edges when held up to direct light. Big, sudsy-looking tan head that left lots of lace on the sides of my glass.

Citrusy hops stand out the most in the scent department, with some slightly bitter coffee notes in the background. Definitely a hop forward beer, which is just fine for anything labeled an IPA, Black or otherwise.

Much more malty than the nose led on, with citrusy and piney hops wrapped in a cloak of milk chocolate and coffee. It’s almost like a stout, except that the hops are a little more sharp than is generally the case.

Resiny and coating mouthfeel. Don’t pare this up with any food that can be described as delicate tasting!

A very tasty beer. This beer goes down remarkably easy considering it's abv percentage. Once again Midnight Sun has not let me down. I’d definitely drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 23:43:29 | More by woemad

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.09/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Served in a tulip.

Appearance: Opaque black, not as "black" as some stouts with a superior dark brown tint and a very light tan head rising to about 1/3".

Smell: This brew is light, smells good but still of light hops and malts.

Taste: For what this beer lacks in scent it beyond makes up for in taste, rich malts and smooth but heavy hops. Malty and hoppy not exactly super floral as some DIPAs but still good.

Mouth: Medium carbonation and oh so sticky, with an after finish that feels a slight sour but

Overall: Pretty good brew, not the best Black IPA I have had but does satisfy the taste buds. Would I buy it again, maybe. It's a little pricey I will add that so If you have a go to black IPA (which I already do) it might be a safer bet. If not you can always split the 12 bucks with a friend. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 06:37:38 | More by BlurryVisi0n

Greywulfken

New York

4.05/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: almost pitch black body - hint of ruby peeks through - with a thick dark tan head; scattered lacings

S: chocolate roasted malts, dark deep fruit; earthy, piney hops

T: lotsa of dark malt flavors, like espresso sweetened with cane sugar; buried dark fruit and dark caramel; bitterer on the finish than the front

M: crisp, bittering finish, smooth, slightly sticky, slightly coating

O: a delicious black ale - reminded me of other great ABAs like Stone's Sublimely Self-Righteous, Uinta's Dubhe, Dark Horse's Special Black Ale, and Dark Element. If any of those strike your fancy, this is a safe bet. Lots of roasty dark malts and well-represented hops. A little on the sweet (as opposed to dry/bitter) side of an ABA.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 23:48:00 | More by Greywulfken

LiquidAmber

Washington

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a very dark brown, appearing black in the glass. Two finger tan head with great retention and lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, aromatic grassy, somewhat piney hops and a hint of citrus and chocolate. Flavor is dark toasted malt, aromatic piney hops and coffee, finishing with a light, almost floral herbal hops. Medium bodied. The taste progression is great with interesting herbal and light fruit flavors in the aftertaste. I really enjoyed this black IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 04:25:04 | More by LiquidAmber

atalayafr

4.21/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A-Very dark with a medium head that subsides quickly.
S-Strong hop smell with noticeable alcohol.
T-This is where this beer comes alive. Abundantly hoppy, high alcohol flavor.
M-Moderately carbonated. Lingers on the palate quite awhile.
O-A good IPA, not too overwhelming and very drinkable. But still with plenty of hops and good IBU presence.
S-22oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 06:37:56 | More by atalayafr

kojevergas

California

3.56/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

8.5% ABV confirmed. 22 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap acquired at a local SoCal beer store for $12.00 USD and served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude, Los Feliz, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are average; this brewery has been very hit and miss for me.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a one finger dark khaki colour head of nice cream and thickness, and above average retention (~2 minutes) for the high ABV. Body colour is a solid nontransparent opaque dark brown-black. A bit cola-esque. Not jet black by any means. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Standard fare for a black IPA. Nothing unique or special here, but no overt flaws.

Sm: Caramel, floral hop character, a touch of vanilla, milky malty sweetness, spruce, chocolate, light subtle espresso, and timid roast. Intriguing and spot on for a black IPA. The dark elements are well integrated with the hoppy notes here. I'm curious to see how this one goes down. A mild strength aroma.

T: Bold milk chocolate with a hint of crisp bitterness, timid roast, a bit of spruce, wonderful light espresso, delightfully well integrated espresso, floral hops, a bit of piney hop character, and some bitter grains. The marriage of dark notes like roast, espresso, and chocolate with lighter IPA notes like the floral character works well here, but then the hops are rather tame. It could use more bold pine notes and hop character to really satisfy the needs of the style. That said, it's quite well balanced and impressively well executed. I definitely like it. Complex and even a bit subtle - especially the espresso. I'm fairly impressed. Chocolate is dominant.

Mf: Nicely smooth and wet, aiding its refreshing yet filling feel. Good body. Good palate presence. A touch oily from the hops. Heavy on the palate but welcome. Nicely thick. Good if slightly overdone carbonation.

Dr: One of the better beers in the style I've had to date. Midnight Sun's IPAs have often disappointed me, but this black IPA hits the mark. Well executed and worth trying. A great beer to ease you into the style. It's not the best I've had, but it's solid. I'd have this on-draught, though it is rather pricey. $7-8 would be a much more acceptable price for this brew. Hides its ABV well. Very drinkable.

Low B

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 01:55:42 | More by kojevergas

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big beer, very tasty and well integrated roast and citrus hops.Sweet pine,spruce. The hops rule, the roast, the chocolate, is substantive and yet not obtrusive.Though some charring, clean, not astringent. Warming alcohol. Long finish.Trade with Andrew.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 04:04:25 | More by northyorksammy

SHODriver

California

3.9/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours black with a small tan head that recedes to a small pool
S: Smells of roast malts mixed with chocolate and some piney citrusy hop aroma
T: tropical fruit flavor kicks things off along with a dash of roastiness and a little bit of pine and a touch of chocolate. Aftertaste is oily piny hop goodness and a fair bit of roastiness
M: about what you would expect from a double IPA. Not a lot of carbonation going in but it is there.
O: An enjoyable beverage that is pretty drinkable

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 01:58:31 | More by SHODriver

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours out a befitting black body with a small, sudsy, light beige head.

Smell: Dark chocolate paired with toast and robust roast, though what I'll call a laid back roast character. Hop accents of citrus peel and temperate wood resins.

Taste: A bite of chocolate of bitter variety followed by a sip of espresso delivering a full roastiness without breeding any astringency. Soothed by some sweet, helpful caramel. Hoppiness bringing about some florals, citrus, and light resins. Medium-light bitterness. Just the right amount of alcohol warmth. Fairly dry finish with a lingering bitterness, still quite light.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Smooth mouthfeel.

Overall: An agreeable black ale.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 15:49:48 | More by ChainGangGuy

Beerenauslese

California

3.8/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown body, almost black, with a tint of reddish brown at the edges. Poured in a tulip to a 3/4 inch tan head, dissipates quickly to a ring with some moderate amounts of sticky lacing.

Smells of dark roasted malt, milk chocolate, and orange hops.

Tastes of smooth chocolate and roasted malts, and orange rind, with a lightly bitter dark chocolate finish. The flavor is pretty good, but I have had others that are more complex like Drake's 2011 Jolly Rodger.

Body is medium as is the carbonation, producing a creamy mouthfeel.

This is another good black IPA, a double with 8.5% ABV, the alcohol is not very noticeable.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 10:34:30 | More by Beerenauslese

MasterSki

Illinois

3.83/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to ChrisPro for sharing. I'm guessing this is from January 2011? Served in a wine glass while consuming Thai BYOB.

A - A finger of white foam settles to a thin cap, leaving behind spotty lace. Dark brown body with some reddish tints.

S - Not much hops left here. Nice chocolate and caramel malt flavors, minimal alcohol. For an aged Black DIPA this has turned into a nice porter-esque beer.

T - Taste is again mostly chocolate and nutty malts. There's a bit of herbal hop flavor in the finish as well as a low level of bitterness. Again, it's somewhat bland at this stage.

M - Medium body, low carbonation, extremely silky-smooth texture, no alcohol, and a very clean finish. Best thing about this beer.

D - This was probably much better nine months ago, but it was still pretty enjoyable. Easier to drink than the oak-aged version although lacking in complexity. Will revisit when a fresh batch is released. I appreciated that there was actually a beer underneath the hops instead of bitter and astringent black malt, like in so many Black IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 18:13:47 | More by MasterSki

Docer

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: (4.0)
- Rich dark brown brew.. can't see through it... heavily poured into a glass.. rendered about a finger and a half of light mocha colored bubbly foam. Settled to some creamy spotting like a nice porter. Big bubbles left about.

Smell: (4.5)
- Lovely roasty chocolate and bitter coffee touch.. perfectly sweet and grassy bitter with hops. Nice grainy malt, and plenty of bittering hop here.

Taste: (4.5)
- Yum. Perfectly solid and balanced brew. Taste is rather light actually, but melds so well. Chocolate grainy malt, bitter husky barley flare.. light coffee skunk, and grassy earthy bitter hops.. perfectly melded. This is a really good Black IPA.

Mouth Feel: (4.0)
- Creamy medium to heavy body.. though the flavor was certainly smooth and drinkable. Bitter dryness, and chewy. This is a light meal in a bottle. Carbonation is just right, and leaves a slight chalky finish as it should.

Overall: (4.5)
- A beer I would buy many more of if more available. On tap I am sure this beer would be bliss. It holds up to my favorite CDA's and has certainly found its spot at the top. Get it.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 00:53:58 | More by Docer

willjschmidt

California

3.95/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a Sierra Nevada hop tulip glass.

A: Pours a nearly jet black color with a thin light tan head. When held up to the light it's a ruby red hue.

S: Milk chocolate malt with a hint of northwest hops.

T: A very good black IPA. The first thing on the palate is that of the chocolaty malt, milk chocolate to be exact. Nearly no roasted flavors which I like to see in a black IPA. The hops are bursting around the edges as well as the finish. Loads of citrusy and piney American hops in this one. Nice balance between the two.

M: Medium bodied, average carbonation.

O: An enjoyable black IPA, would seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 03:52:42 | More by willjschmidt

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

black as night with a light colored head that rose up about an inch and a half before settling down into a nice broken crown that stayed throughout the session. The aroma was very bright, lots of citrus here, orange and tangerine mostly and a wonderfully bright lemon like aroma that rose up, not at all what you would have expected from something that looked so fark. Nice medium body with a smooth and mellow carbonation and a lightness to it that again was outside what I was expecting. Smooth flavor, clean, crisp, loaded with bitter citrus hops. Lots of grapefruit and pineapple here.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2011 01:37:44 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle courtesy of Dan. Served in a Captain Lawrence tulip. Currently the #24 American Black Ale. Reviewed from my tasting sheet.

Pours nearly black with a small tan head, not much lacing, and a thin collar throughout. The nose carries some good resinous pine and roast plus some earthiness in the background. The flavor drops off with the roast coming through too much and not bringing enough hops. Mouthfeel is very dry, though it tastes like it's coming from the roast rather than hops and bitterness, which isn't ideal. A bit of a disappointment from a brewery that's normally dead on with its beers.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 22:57:58 | More by Thorpe429

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.78/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle shared by mdfb79. Thanks Dan!

The beer is a dark brown hue with 1/4" or so of tan head and sparse lacing.

The aroma consists of roasted malt, with pine and citrus hops.

The flavor brings some nice chocolate, with a healthy dose of roasted malt. The hops get lost in the shuffle here, as they are overshadowed by roast and chocolate.

The finish has some of the hop bitterness I was hoping for, along with a lingering chocolaty roast.

Overall, this was a decent brew, but a bit out of balance, as again, the hops were buried in the flavor too much.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2011 02:18:42 | More by Huhzubendah

mdfb79

New York

3.68/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From 07/07/11 notes. Brought this one to a small get together. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into my Fantome tulip.

a - Pours an almost black brown color with one inch of tan head and moderate carbonation evident. Some light lacing left on the glass.

s - Smells of citrus hops, roasted malts, pine hops, and chocolate. Some definite hops in the nose, pretty good.

t - Tastes of roasted malts, chocolate, and pine hops. Hops are not as strong as the nose, but still present.

m - Medium body and light carbonation. Pretty easy to drink.

o - Overall a good Black IPA, but like most, heavy on the roasted characteristics. Better than the other Black IPA we tried that night, North Peak's Furry. Would give it another shot.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 19:57:22 | More by mdfb79

drabmuh

Maryland

3.83/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I think this was mdfb79's bottle, maybe. Thanks Dan! Consumed out of a snifter. At the time of this review this beer is #28 on the best of American Black Ale list.

Beer is black with a thin brown head that leaves a little lacing behind.

Beer has a piny aroma to it, mild citrus. There is perhaps a little bit of roast.

Beer is medium in body and mildly sweet on the front end. Overall the beer is fine but not as hoppy or as bitter as I assumed it would be. There is more roast at the back end but there are some nice pine notes in the midpalate. Overall this comes off as a hoppy porter more than a IPA that has some roasted barley in it. I think I'd skip it the next time around.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 19:52:29 | More by drabmuh

4000qtrap

Missouri

4.2/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Source/serving: 22 oz. bottle

S: Well balanced roast and citrus hop character. You'd actually believe this was a ridiculously fruity coffee. Pine forest. Fresh moss as it warms. Not very sweet, but its fairly sticky with a faint bourbon/rum character.

T: Quite intense, but not harsh. Again, the roast/citrus hop balance is perfectly precise with each character neck and neck. Smooth espresso with a woody edge starts up front. Just a light touch of acidity that elegantly smooth. Semi-sweet here which only dried out slightly throughout. Definitely not very bitter though there is definitely some rummy alcohol and it could be a touch smoother. Oily citrus, grapefruit and light pine are there, but lay low until the middle when they slightly push the roast character into second. Finish is smooth except for prickly carbonation. Lingering pine oiliness and a hint of rum that gives way to pleasant, soft, lightly roasted bourbon. Doesn't really dry out much. Fairly full bodied, but not too creamy.

Notes: Nice, drinkable but still intense BDIPA.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2011 04:37:59 | More by 4000qtrap

laituegonflable

Australia

3.85/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown, but with murky red tinge up to the light. Head is beige, dense, pretty good retention and lace that is thin but clingy. Yeah, nice look.

Smells very coffee-esque. Lots of roasted malt with rich cocoa chocolate blending with bitter espresso. Touch of mint, licorice adding a sweet spice note to it, but it's ultimately more like a big bitter stout hit than an IBA.

Taste is dryer than anticipated. Starts rich and malty, lots of dark roastiness on the front, develops into a mid-palate which is spicy and roasty with espresso notes. Finish is mostly spicy with black pepper, fennel and even turmeric on there. It's spice without a lot of the flavour, because the roast doesn't quite last until the end except in bitterness. Good palate, nice overall, a bit heavy on the spice and could use more floral hoppy notes to carry it through.

Seems thin on the front but there's definitely plenty of body. More spunk on the back, almost too much with a fair boozey heat.

Yeah, good beer and interesting take on the IBA style. Rough at times and also a bit too much towards stouty blackness at times, but the rewards are ultimately there.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2011 00:45:07 | More by laituegonflable

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.9/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased from Ledger's Liquors in Berkeley, CA and carted back to Australia to drink with @LaitueGonflable, at his request.

Pours a deep balck-brown colour, but lightened at the edges, with a fine and frothy head of mocha-coffee beige. Lacing is excellent, and sticks like sediment to the sides of the glass. Body is a bit lighter that I expected, but otherwise, it's a good looking black ale.

Nose is roasty and dark, but the hops (or at least what hops are present) just lighten it enough to make it seem like a weak dark ale, without adding any true hoppy fragrance or citric acidity. It ends up a pleasantly sweet, slightly coffee charactered dark ale, but missing some of the best elements of the genre. Honestly, if you overhop an ABA anywhere, it's on the nose—and this doesn't do it.

Taste is pleasntly roasty, with a slight citric overtone, and a hint of greenness that reins it in from being overly dark. Here the hops just balance the palate nicely. I'd actually be quite a fan if there was some true hop fragrance on the nose. The palae is good, however, giving a subtle twinge of freshness above the roasted black notes. It leavens the palate very nicely.

Feel is light, but appropriate.

It's a decent brew, but one that doesn't ever step up for its genre. There are much better examples, and beers I'd much rather drink on a regular basis. Something that I'm glad I've tried, but not something I'd be excited about drinking again.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2011 11:11:43 | More by lacqueredmouse

vande

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A ~ like a carbonated pepsi... dark and a bit bubbly...

S ~ not a lot [could do with its age, being june and brewed this past winter]...hints of dark chocolate/coffee....little bits of hops

T ~ held up really, really well... lots of coffee up front, hidden hops blended in....dark chocolate a bit on the back...

M ~ smooth...somewhat cream medium bodied Black IPA

O ~ a really good beer.. Next time, I'll have to drink it fresh and compare!!

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2011 20:50:38 | More by vande