Surly Blakkr Review

Name: Surly Blakkr
Style: Black IPA/Imperial Black Ale
ABV: 9.99%

For this review, I bring to you a collaboration beer courtesy of Surly Brewing, 3 Floyds, and Real Ale Brewing: Surly Blakkr. Surly & 3 Floyds have done a collaboration beer before with Urine Trouble but I think this may be the first time they have worked with with Real Ale.

All 3 brewmasters with the aforementioned breweries are big metal music fans, which is the inspiration behind this beer. Even the name and beer label artwork look like they belong on a Norwegian black metal album cover. Even the name, Blakkr, comes from the Old Norse word which means "black."

Blakkr pours a black color that turns into a barely noticeable crimson red when held to a light along with a khaki-colored head. The lacing in this beer is also pretty good

The aroma is quite unique to say the least. I'm picking up on notes of mangoes, citrus hops, dark fruits, and mild chocolate malts. For a black ale or IPA, depending on who you ask, this is rather fruity smelling with only a minor but noticeable chocolate/roasty characteristic.

The flavor starts out with some strong citrus hop, piney hop notes, and mango notes; Followed by some roasted barley, chocolate malts and a citrusy aftertaste with just a hint of a resiny bitterness.

The palate possess a fairly heavy body but with some very light carbonation. It's got a pretty smooth texture and it's very easy to drink. Perhaps a little too easy for it's own good when you consider the strength of this beer.

It goes without saying that this is very tasty, well-balanced and a must have for any craft beer fan or anybody looking for something a little different. Since this is the closest thing we'll get to 3 Floyds here in Minnesota for the time being, I don't expect to see this sitting on shelves for too long so pick this up while you still can!

Surly Blakkr - 9/10

New Glarus Black Top Review

New Glarus Black Top is probably the first Black IPA that I have ever had. At the time of trying it, I was not quite into craft beer and still getting used to the styles that I still considered "off-beat" at the time and this was no exception. I remember having this at a bar while visiting a couple of friends who were going to Marquette University in Milwaukee.

What was my initial impression of Black Top at the time, you ask? Let me put it to you this way: You remember that tire swing on the playground that you used to swing on when you were a kid; And when it got very warm and sunny, it had a that burnt rubber smell? Well, that's what I said it tasted like when I took my first sip of it. It wasn't my proudest moment because I ordered a Miller Lite after that and drank it like the curmudgeon-y college kid that I was.

Well after 4 years, I'm ready to give this another go thanks to my refined palate. Black Top is a Black IPA with an ABV of 6.9%. From my experience, Black IPAs are usually as a seasonal or limited release, according to the New Glarus Website it's a year-round offering.

Black Top pours a pitch black color with a soapy khaki-colored head. There is some lacing left on the side of the glass.

The nose has a pretty strong piney hop scent along with chocolate, licorice, roasted barley and malts. This is definitely one of the hoppier smelling Black IPAs out there.

As for the flavor, the piney hops are fairly prevalent upfront along with the licorice and chocolate notes. After that you have some roasted malt & barley flavors which rest on the back of the palate. The aftertaste is a bittersweet chocolate and hoppy finish.

The body is fairly moderate in weight and the carbonation is fairly moderate as well but allows you to experience the flavors without getting in the way too much.

Well, it certainly tastes alot better than I remember it! Looking back, I probably mistook the licorice flavor for "burnt rubber." To sum it up, it's a nicely balanced Black IPA with just the right amount of hoppiness and roastiness for anyone who's a fan of the style to enjoy and possibly fans of both IPAs and stouts.

New Glarus Black Top - 8.5/10

Lake Superior Deep Water Black IPA Review

In honor of my new home, I figured it would only be appropriate by kicking things off with a beer made here in Duluth. Lake Superior Brewing was one of the first craft breweries I tried out when I first got into craft beer back in college; If my memory serves me correctly, the first beer I had was their Mesabi Red which I picked up from Haskell's.

Lake Superior Brewing just released their newest beer called Deep Water Black IPA. And like many of Lake Superior's beers I've looked at, they are mum when it comes to giving us an ABV.

Deep Water pours an almost-black color that turns a clear dark brown when held up to the light. The head is rather thin and khaki colored that fades away fairly quickly.

The nose has a fairly strong citrus hops scent upfront followed by chocolate, roasted malts & barley notes. The flavor on the other hand has a strong piney/citrus hop profile which is backed by equally strong roasted malts, coffee, and caramel.

The body is fairly light and the carbonation has a slight bite to it so it helps add a bit of flavor to what some may already consider to be a unique flavor.

I consider this one to be very good. It's not a style that's for everyone but those who know and love the style will find something to like about this one.

Lake Superior Deep Water Black IPA - 8.5/10