Alaskan Double Black IPA (Pilot Series) - Alaskan Brewing Co.

GreenCard

Oregon

3.8/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: dark brown to black, almost opaque; good clarity; huge layer of tan fine-beaded foam with excellent staying power and lace

Aroma: dark malts and roast; burnt caramel; coffee grinds; floral and citrusy hop scent

Flavor: you're hit first with a roasty malt thwack that slips in a fair amount of acidity, too; then an herbal hop flavor and coffee bitterness combo; finishes semisweet with a lingering roastiness

Mouthfeel: medium-full body, zippy carbonation, slight astringency; alcohol warmth in the belly

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2010 00:02:08 | More by GreenCard

twj2000

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +6.5%

11-06-2012 03:19:06 | More by twj2000

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.98/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 9/2010 notes. Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a dark, dark ruby red with a thin, attractive dark brown head. Aroma of smoky malt and hops. Medium bodied. Dark and smoky malt and dark fruit start merging into hoppy middle and finish with the dark malts staying present. Very different and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 19:21:30 | More by LiquidAmber

DarthKostrizer

California

4.5/5  rDev +12.8%

02-17-2012 02:08:05 | More by DarthKostrizer

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -12.3%

01-29-2012 07:32:18 | More by ygtbsm94

SargeC

Japan

4/5  rDev +0.3%

12-30-2011 09:06:34 | More by SargeC

phishsihq

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Alaskan Double Black IPA pours an opaque creamy black with an inviting tan head that sticks around and to the glass with decent lacing throughout. Rich and malty aromas are intertwined with hints of coffee, caramel, dark fruits and hops. The caramel and chocolate notes are again front and center in the first few sips, and the coffee flavors develop in the middle as the ale warms. Hops balance this dark brew very nicely, while the finish is excellent with a great creamy finish. Hopefully the new Spring Seasonal Black IPA from Alaskan Brewing Company shares a lot of these same traits.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 22:39:22 | More by phishsihq

weerezboy

Washington

5/5  rDev +25.3%

12-22-2011 23:30:57 | More by weerezboy

growlerfills

Montana

5/5  rDev +25.3%

12-22-2011 22:45:48 | More by growlerfills

twelveinches

Washington

4/5  rDev +0.3%

12-03-2011 07:00:01 | More by twelveinches

tbizzle0

California

4/5  rDev +0.3%

12-03-2011 04:07:11 | More by tbizzle0

kevwcamp

Washington

4/5  rDev +0.3%

11-29-2011 06:35:25 | More by kevwcamp

Exiled

Texas

4/5  rDev +0.3%

11-25-2011 19:54:13 | More by Exiled

beefandbean22

Washington

4/5  rDev +0.3%

11-23-2011 19:19:13 | More by beefandbean22

nmann08

Maryland

5/5  rDev +25.3%

11-15-2011 02:44:04 | More by nmann08

beerguru14

Arizona

5/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pour, Color, & Aroma:
The Alaskan Brewing Company has always been one of my favorites. I remember my Dad tended to have their beers in our refrigerator at all times. I also recall my first sip of the Alaskan Smoked Porter. Talk about a memorable beer. Getting my hands on their Double Black IPA proved to be much more difficult than I thought; however, a friend pulled through for me and manged to get one in my hands.

True to style, the beer poured a very nice black color with an inviting tan colored head. The retention was long lasting and was very smooth and velvety.

The beer had some serious malts on the forefront of the aroma. I got an excellent roasted chocolate, caramel and molasses. A plum sweetness was barely identifiable with some other dark fruits closely followed by a light banana aroma. On top of all this was a strong zesty citrus and a slight pine that made its presence known. I am already intrigued by this beer.



Taste:
Oh my goodness. Alaskan Brewing nailed this style of beer. My initial thought that came to mind was again of the malts. A caramel sweetness, rich and creamy chocolate malts, and definitely a sweetness of which I attributed to the dark fruits. There was also something about the taste reminding me of a sushi joint perhaps ginger?

Furthering the taste was a not too aggressive astringent bitterness that leveled out the sweetness. The hops added balanced grapefruit zest and a citrus tang. I can not get enough!!



Finish & Body:
The finish was one of the best I have ever had in any beer. There was a pleasant marshmallow creaminess that lingered on my palate. The finish also had a slight bitterness that did not intrude on the creaminess but one that was complimented in a beautiful way.

I would consider this to be a pretty full-bodied beer. The mouth feel was significant but not overwhelming. One thing I realized towards the end was that I hardly noticed the alcohol level. At 8.5% I thought it would be much more apparent.



Final Thoughts:
I may have found my new favorite beer. After drinking the brew, I wanted to have another one as well as call all my friends to let them know not to pass it up if they have the chance to drink this. Alaskan Brewing did a superb job representing one of the fastest growing styles of beer. My only disappointment is that I can't have another. Prost!

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 01:45:03 | More by beerguru14

beer2day

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Jet black with 2-fingers of rich, mocha head. Thick sheets of lace all around the glass. Still a 1/2 finger of head left with the last sip.

Nice crisp mix of chocolate malt and citrus hops. More chocolate than citrus. Light flowery hints, too.

Chocolate and citrus again mix well, especially in the finish. Getting dark roast coffee too in the follow on. After a few sips, coffee come out at the beginning. Light sweet chocolate in the middle. Bright mix of hops, coffee, and chocolate define the end. Nice bitter finish.

Feel is a little too light matched up against the robust flavors.

Overall a very good beer I would get again.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2011 01:38:00 | More by beer2day

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - Deep brown with a smaller tan head. Good Retention and lacing left on the glass.

S - Hops and brown sugars.

T - Piney hops up front, followed by sweet roasted malts.

D - A touch thick in the mouth for an IPA. A slight bitter bite as well.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 00:39:51 | More by HuskyinPDX

Ryan011235

Ohio

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

Poured into an E&J Cask & Cream glass on 3/25/11

Stamped A020911

Mid-range cola brown that exhibits deep hues in the glass with dark ruby and grape juice highlights. One finger head reduces to a thin, smooth layer of retention (second pour had three fingers). Lacing starts off as solid swaths that dry and become webbed grids and, even later, specs.

To some degree the aroma reminds me of a hoppy porter. Roast offers a tangy notion that's blended with earthy hops and hints of nuts. Sugars are present but it smell far from sweet. Molasses, unsweetened cocoa, caramel. Wisps of smoke, especially as it warms. Lightly floral. I picked out a stray, dulled citric hint once. It seems to have something of a cola vibe, actually.

While alcohol heat was mostly absent in the aroma, one sip finds Double Black IPA to be a warming critter. The aroma also seemed tame and this beer tastes anything but. Lots of roasted malts and a touch of smoke. Bittersweet chocolate is ramped up and is most prominent through mid-sip. Some dry, roasted coffee creeps in toward the finish. Moderate bitterness throughout. Some pine and remnants of citric zest on the peripheries.

The feel leaves me torn. On one hand it's a smooth, reasonably viscous, full bodied beer. Carbonation however, is far too high. The first sip was nearly painful with sharp, scathing carbonation. The up side is that the carbonation dissipates over time and of its own accord; I didn't have to swirl much away. Undercurrents of grit. After it opens up it is far more enjoyable. Finishes roasty with coffee and some residual bitterness.

Aside from the carbonation and the nose being on the weak side, I've found this beer quite enjoyable. Definitely one to let warm up, too. Not at all a CDA but a solid beer regardless. Worthwhile to give it a shot.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 19:17:42 | More by Ryan011235

thecarster1

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a- bomber poured into a snifter, dark brown black coloring, full fingers worth of tan head that fades slow leaving nice trailing and bubbly and wispy lace.

s- i'm getting some major alcohol esters in the nose, it's definitely off putting. bone dry malts, very little hops.. this is no good.

t- thankfully better than the nose. roasted malt front - bitter chocolate, coffee beans, some smoke, those dark flavors linger long in the finish as well, but give way to some mayor hopping, citrus and strongly bittered that linger long. this is some mild sweetness mid sip that is a welcome touch.

m- medium to full bodied, slick, coating.

d- this is a solid black ipa, glad for the chance to try this, all except for the nose. it's ok but nothing i would go out of my way to seek out again, that said it's no drain pour.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 22:19:30 | More by thecarster1

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.8/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this back at Hopfest at Brouwer's Cafe. Solid, dark and black looking dipa, slight ring of head to it, good clinging lace. Aroma was not huge in terms of hops.

Taste, lots of bitterness, but not a lot of hop mouthfeel. Hid the alcohol decently, came across more like it looked, like a hoppy porter or stout moreso than a dipa. The only things reminiscient of dipa territory would be the caramel malt flavor and the high bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2011 21:09:12 | More by Beerandraiderfan

ebrauser

Utah

3.93/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 bomber to a pint glass. A couple months old, but not sure how it affected the taste. Hops flavors were still good and fairly sophisticated.

Appearance: Ruby brown with thick brown/beige head.

Smell: Chocolate and figs, with subtle hops and alcohol.

Flavor: Bitter hops and dark chocolate. Spicy and malty beginning with a bitter chocolate finish. Hops begin to develop as I continue to drink, turning into a very good, thick IPA. Dark malts replace the abundant hops of a classic DIPA, making this more of a hoppy porter.

MF: Smooth and creamy, not coating, and easily drinkable because it is so good! Next time I get one, I'll drink it immediately.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2011 20:40:05 | More by ebrauser

chicano4craft

Colorado

4.35/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poura nearly black with some brown in the light. Hugh tan head. Two fingeers worth of tight bubbles. Looks great. Amazing lacing.

Big hop bitterness in the nose.The pine sap/resin is mixed with a nice roast. Burn chocolate and coffee round in out with a little smokiness.

Taste is really sticky. Bitterness drags across the palate leaving a hop oil, coffee, dark chocolate after taste. It's semi-sweet with a dry finish. Not as hoppy as the nose leads you to believe, but it's still one of the dankiest CDA I've had.

Mouthfeel is better than expected. The body is slightly heavy but finishes lighter. Drinkability is good. Really don't detect the high alcohol until it's to late!

I passed on this beer several times before finally caving. At $9 it's pretty steep, but well worth a go. Alaskan makes some excellent beers for their bomber series.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2011 23:53:16 | More by chicano4craft

notsoprobeer

Oregon

4.38/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Color is near black with a tan colored head. Aroma is very IPA-esque. It's a bit of a surprise to smell floral when you're looking at a black beer. It has the roasted malt taste of a porter but is balanced with the hoppy bitterness of an IPA. Also picked up some coffee flavors. Body is medium and it has a nice creamy mouth feel. Although it has a high alcohol content of 8.5%, you wouldn't know--it's very smooth.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2011 07:52:04 | More by notsoprobeer

bum732

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

S: rich chocolate and brownie mix, some roasted coffee, lots of gingerbread, toffee, hops subdued.

L: Black, some light through, cocoa like tan head that dissipates leaving great lacing.

T: Chocolate malt with some coffee bitterness. Some leafy hoppiness on the background that is hidden by the chocolate presence. Medium bitterness finishing with roasty dryness and touch of hop resin. Very little fruitiness from the hops.

M: Medium carbonation, medium-full body.

A nice black IPA, more malt driven than hops, or perhaps my bottle was old. Really enjoyed it and would definitely have again.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2011 03:46:48 | More by bum732