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

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

baybassboy

California

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-14-2013 05:12:01 | More by baybassboy

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

Laklimell

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%

05-07-2013 00:54:01 | More by Laklimell

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

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.2%

05-02-2013 22:58:36 | More by xnicknj

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

chase2634

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -12.7%

04-26-2013 15:23:12 | More by chase2634

sneaks2210

New York

4.25/5  rDev +6%

04-12-2013 00:21:37 | More by sneaks2210

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

devlishdamsel

Washington

4/5  rDev -0.2%

03-30-2013 05:48:28 | More by devlishdamsel

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

ayarbs

Oregon

4/5  rDev -0.2%

03-27-2013 01:52:51 | More by ayarbs

RedneckBeerz

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -0.2%

03-21-2013 12:56:17 | More by RedneckBeerz

kscaldef

Oregon

2.5/5  rDev -37.7%

03-20-2013 22:53:24 | More by kscaldef

RichH55

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +6%

03-15-2013 15:46:13 | More by RichH55

litheum94

California

4.25/5  rDev +6%

03-15-2013 03:04:18 | More by litheum94

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

3/5  rDev -25.2%

03-11-2013 02:49:35 | More by SmellsofMahagony

Hopmodium

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -6.5%

02-26-2013 03:49:58 | More by Hopmodium

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

CheapBeerBuzz

California

4/5  rDev -0.2%

02-22-2013 06:15:37 | More by CheapBeerBuzz

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

CEDAMA

California

5/5  rDev +24.7%

02-09-2013 16:55:36 | More by CEDAMA

unclekeith

Alaska

4/5  rDev -0.2%

01-20-2013 23:24:35 | More by unclekeith