All About Beer Magazine - Volume 34, Issue 3
June 26, 2013 By

97 Dank Tank Ghoulash, Sweetwater Brewing Co. (GA). 8.5% ABV (3/12)

Dark brown black color. Bold piney hops, molasses, chocolate orange and pumpernickel toast aromas with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a long, spicy, dried fruit, mocha, pepper and dusty root vegetable finish. Artfully crafted and balanced; a benchmark for this new style.

94 Demonic Ale, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 6.7% ABV (2/12) %{Brewpub}

Deep brown black color. Rich hoppy aromas of chocolate, fruit cake, hemp and baking spices are very attractive with a savor vegetable, chocolate latte and sweet baking spice driven finish.

94 Secession Organic Cascadian Dark Ale, Hopworks Urban Brewery (OR). 6.5% ABV (2/12)

Deep brown black color. Fruity hoppy aromas and flavors of apricot, grapefruit marmalade and raisin scone with a supple dryish medium-full and an herbal, grassy oregano, root vegetable and pine sap-accented finish. A delicious dark treat for hop heads.

94 Dark Depths Baltic IPA, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 7.6% ABV (3/13)

Deep brown color with a red heart. Rich hoppy aromas of grapefruit, toffee, maple and pine sap with a chewy, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a long, molasses, nut, cocoa, rye toast and pepper finish. A delicious black IPA balanced for hopheads and regular folks.

93 Cascadian Dark Ale, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada). 6% ABV (7/12)

Dark brown color. Earthy, somewhat rustic aromas of barnyard, chocolate, vegetable and citrus bread toast with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a stewed and roasted vegetable, chocolate pudding, cheese rind and roasted nut driven finish with peppery, citrus rind hops.

92 Bump in the Night Cascadian Dark Ale, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 6.5% ABV (3/11)

Dark reddish brown color. Mouthwatering aromas and flavors of seared ham and gouda on buttery toasted pumpernickel with a tangy touch of a red sauerkraut. Round and supple with a frothy, dryish medium-to-full with butter caramelized dark roasted nuts and coffee beans, honeyed citrus and dates, cocoa and peppery radicchio-like hops. A tantalizing amalgamation of flavors; serve with artisan sandwiches and spicy relishes.

92 Black Rock Ale, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 6.2% ABV (6/11)

Deep black brown color. Hoppy aromas and flavors of grapefruit, blood orange, creamy mocha and arugula with a smooth, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, astringent, beautifully balanced finish. A great, polished example of a new American style.

91 Wuchak Black, Kichesippi Beer Co. (Canada). 6.4% ABV (3/13)

Dark brown black color with a manila head. Aromas of baker’s chocolate, coffee and toast with a supple, dryish medium body and a crisp, balance between roasted grain, mocha and grassy, leafy greens-like hops in the finish. A great session and food beer.

91 Lakefront IBA, Lakefront Brewery (WI). 6.5% ABV (2/12)

Dark brown black color. Hoppy aromas of pine, grapefruit, coffee, cocoa and fruity cake with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a chocolate mint, cola and peppery spice driven finish. Very tasty and sessionable.

88 Swordfish Double Cascadian Dark Ale, Fish Brewing Co. (WA). 7.5% ABV (6/11)

Dark brown color. Nice caramelized roasted nut, citrus and peppered spinach aromas with a tangy medium body and homemade catsup, dried cherry and citrus and earthy beet-accented finish. A nice savory beer for the pub table; serve with sausages and onion rings.

86 Black Torrent IPA, Destihl Restaurant & Brew Works (IL). 6.7% ABV (3/11) %{Brewpub}

Opaque brown black color with a faint lacy head. Aromas of freshly baking date bread, baker’s chocolate, chicory and pickled okra with a silky, dryish medium-full body and a savory and smooth roasted nut nougat, caramel and puréed sweet potato finish with leafy hops.

85 Dad’s Little Helper Black IPA, Rogue Ales (OR). 7% ABV (2/12)

Mild earthy aromas with a dryish medium body and a molasses, burnt sugar, coffee, herb and almond scone-accented finish.