Pitch Black IPA - Widmer Brothers Brewing Company

mrfreakybig

New York

3.48/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours very dark, nearly black. Really smells great. I grabbed a couple of bottles of this at a nearby store, and was really looking forward to it. It’s not a bad beer, malty and hoppy all at once, with a really nice roasty taste to it, but I felt like there was something missing from it. The flavor was a bit too smooth. Something was just not quite there. It’s not a bad beer, but it’s not quite a great one either. Certainly worth a try, though.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2012 13:58:29 | More by mrfreakybig

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass. Finger of tan head and (surprise!) pitch black body.

Citrus aroma, strong. Picking up a little bread too.

Milk taste, pine, lemon and more pine.

Softer body, moderate carbonation.

I enjoyed it and probably will again. No weaknesses here.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 02:47:10 | More by Fatehunter

estlinska

Arkansas

3.59/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured on tap at the J. Clyde in June 2011. Pours a flat black color that eats up the light with a very moderate chestnut tones at the edges of the glass. Creamy, khaki head with decent lacing overall. The nose was light on hops, mostly pine and lemons, and heavy on the roasted malt. The tast was full of oily hops, very pine driven and low key on the malt; more the opposite of the nose, which was a little off for me. Overall not a bad beer, but maybe could have produced a more harmonious interaction between malt and hop.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2012 07:22:39 | More by estlinska

TheSixthRing

California

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

Appearance - Pours near black with light penetrating only the thinnest edges to reveal a brown edging. Head is light tan and 2 finger thick, great retention, and the resulting lace is thick and clings to the sides like Spider-man.

Smell - Prominent pine hop aroma, with notes of citrus and some roasted coffee malt notes.

Taste - Surprisingly, the roasted malt is at the forefront, with coffee and a slightly bitter chocolate getting their share before a pine and citrus hop comes in to balance things out. Finishes with a harmonious balance of flavors riding it out into the depths of the abyss, then a touch of smoke makes an appearance, clouding up any trace of the previous character as it fades to the end.

Mouthfeel - Medium body. Somewhat creamy. Very little bite from the carbonation.

Overall - Not big on the pine hop character, but the citrus is there to keep it in check. Great malt/hop balance for a CDA. Not sure I could drink more than a few of these at a time, but a standout amongst it's contemporaries in a fairly new style of beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2012 07:00:46 | More by TheSixthRing

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz Bottle from Whole Foods Las Vegas NV for 1.99$

Appearance - Black/brown colour with a large size frothy beige coloured head. I can't make out the amount of carbonation showing and there is some decent lacing. The head lasted for 5 minutes.

Smell - Malts, chocolate/coffee, grapefruit, hops

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and I can taste malts mixed with coffee/chocolate and hops. There is also a bit of a grapefruit flavour and a touch of a smoke. It ends with a chocolate/hop aftertaste with some lingering bitterness.

Overall - This one was a little more on the stout side of the style in my opinion. It still had some nice hop bitterness but only during the aftertaste. I'd also like a little more of a grapefruit presence. Still a very good beer that I would have again.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 18:47:23 | More by spinrsx

tlazaroff

Virginia

3.38/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big citrus, tangerine, lime, grapefruit, and a whole mess of tropical notes too. This smells fantastic! I wish it was a bit maltier on the nose.

Its quite dark at first glance, but highlights around the edges are brown, and when held to the light it becomes brown with ruby highlights. The head was really non-existent, and lacing is spotty at best.

I'm picking up some roast in the taste, as well as a bit of the hops coming across as the tropical fruits. Its somewhat toasty and doughy, but not overly such.

It's a tad astringent but mostly okay. Medium body and carbonation with a moderately dry finish. Overall this is a good beer, but not a great beer. I would probably try it again, however.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 04:24:13 | More by tlazaroff

BucannonXC5

California

4.08/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a draft into a goblet at South Park Abbey in San Diego, Calif., on May 5, 2012. About two fingers of head. Color was espresso. White lacing that lasted for the entirety of the pour. Lots of film across the glass.

Smelled smoky spices up front, followed by sharp and wet hops. Roasty coffee notes as well.

Tasted just a bit hoppier than the smell. I want to say tangerine hops first. Also some pine, roasted nuts and a small hint of coffee notes.

Medium body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Smooth finish.

Really enjoyed this beer. Would love to pick up some more.

Serving type: on-tap

05-10-2012 05:22:19 | More by BucannonXC5

jbphoto88

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I wouldn't go as far as saying pitch black IPA but widmer brothers brewing comes very very close. Think deep brown that is so rich in color that it's downright inky with ruby highlights only in the thinnest of areas. The head is a frothy cap of yellow khaki foam. Very even with some lasting power.

The nose is rather pleasent with more of a roasted grain scent then a hoppy wiff. The cones are there though and please the olfactory glands with light citrus. Mild nose all together but all the pieces are in the right place.

This is a solid black IPA with again the strongest flavor coming from the grains. Sweet, roasted grains with caramel notes, subtle hints of chocolate and coffee. The hops fade into the background and take more of a supportive role here in flavor town.

My favorite part of this brew is the way it feels in your mouth. The carbonation is smooth with small bubbles but adds a nice crisp texture to the brew. Also the hops have a nice presence here with a clean bitterness balanced by the sweeter malts. A really good beer and a great cheap find at costco. Well worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 23:10:17 | More by jbphoto88

goldennectar

Ohio

4.23/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into Sam Adams tulip glass.

Appearance: Dark amber to black with light brownish head that slowly fades

Smell: Malty, piney hoppy, and a hint of roasted coffee

Taste: As it smells, only better. Very well balanced I think between the hops, malt and blackness

Mouthfeel: Medium and light carbonantion, Very very smooth

Overall: A very fine beer and one that I look forward to again.
Definitely worthy of anyone trying it.

Thank you sir may I have another

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2012 00:31:13 | More by goldennectar

mschind

California

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle dated 1-9-12

A- Pours a dark translucent mahogany with a one inch foamy mocha colored head.

S- Nose is hops and carmel malt with some biscuit.

T- Expecting some stout like bitterness, it is there but very muted. Mild citrus hops, some toasty malt with consistent mild hop bitterness across the palate. Definitely qualifies as hoppy. Not sure what I was expecting here. Not as crisp as a standard IPA, the dark malt adds a different note and perhaps a bit more richness.

M- It has more body than I expected and I would agree with the description on the bottle; it is smooth, dark and hoppy.

O- This one is a genre bender, never heard of a black ipa before. I like it. It isn't an over hopped stout or a burnt tasting ipa. Unique and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 22:43:20 | More by mschind

kylehay2004

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Half finger head on a deep amber body with nice lacing but poor head retention.

S: Nutty, vanilla, oak, bourbon and overall sweet. Nice aroma.

T: Flavors are more hoppy with mostly pine and lighter on the roasted malt than I expected.

M: smooth, a little thick and moderate carbonation.

Overall: For me this is more like a Black IPA; Hoppy with roasted malt as oppose to a roasted malt beer with hop notes somewhere in the background.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 02:09:51 | More by kylehay2004

BigRedN

Nebraska

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Poured from the 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. The beer is, naturally, black in color. My pour produced a nice thick light tan head about 1 inch in height. The head has some good staying power, remaining a solid cover on the liquid, and left good, thick, lacing down the glass.

Smell: A solid mix of malt and hop aromas. Seems like an even balance of roasted malt (burnt cocoa and roasted nuts) with some piney and citrus hop aromas.

Taste: The taste follows along with the scent. It begins up front with the roasted malt (taste same as the scent except it is perhaps more coffee bean than roasted nut). There is a strong hop bitterness on the finish that lingers on the tongue.

Mouthfeel: Medium in body with a low carbonation. A bit of a slick oiliness on the tongue as well.

Overall: I am not overly familiar with a "Black IPA". Listed here as an American Black Ale. This has a good balance of malt and hop, both in ample quantities. Purchased a 4-pack on "close-out" for $3; well worth that price.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 03:57:53 | More by BigRedN

rangerred

Tennessee

4.13/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours pitch black with a 1.5 finger off'white head with great lacing and head retention.

There is a nice roasty aroma with some hints of coffee. There is a slightly unpleasant metallic note along with some spicy floral hops.

The flavor is very nice with some roasted malt, lightly roasted coffee and milk chocolate. Maybe a touch of dark fruit in there as well. Some floral hop flavor leading to a moderate bitterness. Mouthfeel is quite silky and smooth.

Overall I really like this beer. It is smoother than a lot of American black ales in that there isn't a lot of tannic bitterness from the malt. A really good effort and something I will pick up again.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 01:50:28 | More by rangerred

Durge

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Yet another nice find at The World of Beers in Fort Myers, Florida, this black IPA has a solid black color with a big tan layer of thick bubbles on top and really impressive lacing. The nose detects piney hop delight with citrus edges and just a touch of swampy malt. Very much what the doctor ordered. The flavor offers a minty pine/herbal/citrus medley of hop goodness with a touch of bread pudding sweetness. It’s medium bodied with a smooth midland feel that includes a healthy carbonation. A very solid black IPA that I enjoyed.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2012 03:09:01 | More by Durge

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a deep amber to black in color with a light tan head. In the aroma, citrus hops and a mellow grapefuity citrus. In the taste, mellow citrus hops and a small roast. A small bite and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry hop and roast in the aftertaste. A nice hop presence, with a small roast presence, quite smooth and nice.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 16:29:01 | More by OWSLEY069

thekevlarkid

Maryland

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

Out of a bottle this beer was a nearly opaque, dark brown color with one finger of khaki-colored head. The retention was good and it left lacing in chunks and then, later, bands. The aroma was of toasted and roasted malt, anise, molasses balanced with pine, grass and resiny hops. The flavors were quite enjoyable and appropriate for the style. I tasted all the elements from the aroma with the roasted malt and sweet notes being in harmony with the bitter elements of the piney hops. Well balanced and I really enjoyed the light chocolate and coffee notes that ‘filled out’ and added to the traditional IPA flavor profile. The mouthfeel was creamy, the body medium/full and the carbonation soft. A very good example of an American Black Ale/Black IPA/Cascadian Dark Ale and if you’ve never tried one (though it is a little more pricey) I’d recommend picking up a four-pack.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 13:34:59 | More by thekevlarkid

Trifecta1

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle bought from Oasis Micro Pub in Rockford, IL.

A - Opaque black, small amount of brown, pearly head. Dissipates fast, but leaves some nice lacing.

S - Cascade hops dipped in bitter cocoa and burnt vanilla. Spot on the a black IPA. Smells great.

T - Up front smokey, malty, dark cocoa, with a lead-up to grapefruit bitter-sweetness. Wow, what a fantastic black IPA, probably the best flavor profile I've had for this type. Very well balanced.

M - Low carbonation, kind of flat and oily on the tongue. Could use some work, but not displeasing.

O - A great, great black IPA, and a personal favorite in the style. If you would like to explore the newfound world of black IPAs, seek this one out. If you're a hophead, I would recommend trying it if you see it. Not for the new, pretty complex stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 06:45:41 | More by Trifecta1

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.15/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I got this as part of an M&M 6pk from Everett's in South Beloit for $9.99 in early 2012.

Pours a pitch black color with a slight but quickly disappearing head but with rather good lacing. Only scent I'm able to pick out are hops yet the scent is rather mild. The texture is quite full and thick. First you get a taste of chalky malts and robust flavors which turn into a crisp bitter finish. Great overall taste a highly drinkable. A rather good and reasonable sipping beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 06:00:39 | More by Lemke10

AMiz602

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very nice beer to eat with a nice juicy steak or burger.

It pours almost complete "stout" with its "Pitch Black" (but not quite) into the glass and leaves a nice creamy, frothy beige head that has some intricate yet bulky lacing.

It smells nutty, with a strong scent of molasses or maple to it.

This beer tastes in 2 parts. First (after proper warming Please!) it has a rich, creamy burnt cocoa flavor. There is a slight hint of caramel malt in there, and towards the back end takes on a walnut sort of toastiness. Second, after going down it bitters up into a mild, pleasant, dry hoppiness with a grapefruity (Cascade) tanginess.

A very complex and worthwhile beer, especially if you want the best of both worlds, a dark stoutish beer with IPA hoppiness.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 01:37:09 | More by AMiz602

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This poured out as a deep brown color. The head was foamy looking and had a tan color to it. The smell of the beer gave off some lively hops on the nose with a bit of roasted malts underneath that. The taste was fairly well balanced I thought between the citrusy hops with the roasted malts. The mouthfeel of the beer was sharp and yet smooth at the same time. Overall I thought that this beer was pretty good and wouldn't mind drinking it again someday.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 03:58:04 | More by Knapp85

tgorgz

Pennsylvania

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

P: Into a standard pint glass from a 12 oz. Not a bad pour, a little crema coloured head and minimal lacing.

A: As the name would imply, it is indeed 'pitch black'. Few bubbles coming up, and little movement after agitation.

S: Good balance of the caramel malty sweetness and the slightly bitter hops. However, the former definitely hits first.

T: As is so often the case, tongue follows the nose. Excellent balance of sweet and hoppy.The sweet hits first, followed by a rather subtle bitterness. This is definitely not your typical IPA, though.

M: Distinctly thick, and rather creamy in comparison to what I'm used to from IPAs. A refreshing difference.

O: Solid beer right here. These Portland hipsters know how to do their brews.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 02:53:30 | More by tgorgz

Chris1272

Alabama

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pour: Nice off white head with good lacing.

Aroma: Not overwhelming but nice resiny citrus

Appearance Beer is not pitch black yet a beautiful deep mahogany.

Taste a little toasty malt on the front end with sweet citrus notes from the hops on the back end. The beer has a very nice mouth feel and has a solid malt back bone to balance the hops over all a great shot at the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 05:26:55 | More by Chris1272

CaptDavyJones

New York

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a dark brown color from a 22 oz bomber, with ABV and the date of bottling marked on the label.

Nice one finger off-white head that dissipates very slowly and leaves behind some very nice visually arresting lace.

Aroma up front is mildly hoppy with notes of pine and some grapefruit coming through. As the beer warms up, the roasted malt notes come through.

Taste, however, is more on the malty side. The hops which are prevalent in the aroma are completely buried in the taste. Burnt, roasted malt flavor comes through with just a hint of bitterness in the finish. The finish leans towards the drier side. I have to mention the lace again, there is just so much of it, and it only makes this black IPA look even better.

Overall, I think this is a very nice black IPA. Although, I do wish I had a fresher bottle. Would be nice to compare a fresh bottle to this one.

Definitely worth a try and comes recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 02:31:30 | More by CaptDavyJones

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.47/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Finally! Pitch Black IPA made its way to Denver! I remember putting this to the face at Great American Beer Fest last year as it was one of my absolute favorites. My favorite style without a doubt. Picked up a 4 pack at Lukas. Poured to pint glass immediately upon getting home. Bottled Feb 2, 2011 09:32 WA.

A - The beer pours what appears to be deep black however when held to the light you can see it's actually a transparent deep dark mahogony/brown color, though appears black. A nice 1.5 finger tan colored head with decent retention and lots of lacing. Looks good.

S - Yes the sweetness of the malts along with a nice subtle roasted character and those cascadian hops! Citrus and pine and floral.

T - The beer starts with the malty sweetness and hits the corners of your mouth with a little pucker. Next comes a wave of the citrus hops which blends nicely with the light roasted malt character. Well balanced, the hops are present as is a medium bitterness, but it works well with the roasted malt. Very good. The beer finishes with a dry malty bitterness.

M - Medium bodied with good carbonation.

D - Yes. Hides the alcohol well. If my kidney and lover could handle it I'd drink this all day.

Overall, I think this is a great representation of the style. So many American Black Ales are so in your face with hops and malt and alcohol. This is nice and smooth and gentle, lighter than the beasts. Highly recommended. Wish it came in a six pack.

Note: This review was a re-post from my former account, jmkratt, which was hacked and I lost all my reviews...sorry for the redundancy.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 03-14-2011 23:11:54

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 14:01:55 | More by hopfacebrew

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Widmer Pitch Black IPA. "Always Bet On Black." 6.5% ABV. "Embrace the Dark Side." Smooth, dark, and hoppy. Series 924. And so on, and so forth. Let's crack this open.

Indeed, it is pitch black in color, roasty tan head, mmm, enticing.

Aroma: there we go, grassy, piney, hovering over black malt, cocoa and coffee. Ah, hoptastic, it is, big time.

Tasting it, …there we go. Black malt, dark and tasty, low roast, minor toast, some chocolate happening. The hoppy buzz keeps on top of the palate.
After all the black IPAs/black ales I try, I'm still not 100% crazy about them. A big so what, is how I feel. I don't want grassy hops over a dark ale. And if I yearn for something hoppy, I don't want the dark malts. Peanut butter in my chocolate, that sort of thing.

Earthy, malty, and tasty. But, eh…not the sort of thing I'm going to turn to, again and again. Just doesn't thrill me. I hope this fad dies off soon, actually.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2012 09:24:30 | More by feloniousmonk