• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Beer Info

Beer News, Beer Releases and New Breweries

  • Home
  • Top 10 Beers
    • Ales
    • Lagers
    • Barrel Aged
    • Hybrid
    • Specialty
  • GABF
    • 2024 GABF
    • 2023 GABF
    • 2021 GABF
    • 2022 GABF
    • 2020 GABF
    • 2019 GABF
    • 2018 GABF
    • 2017 GABF
    • 2016 GABF
    • 2015 GABF
    • 2014 GABF
    • 2013 GABF
    • 2012 GABF
    • 2011 GABF
    • 2010 GABF
    • 1987 GABF
  • World Beer Cup
    • 2022 World Beer Cup
    • 2018 World Beer Cup
    • 2016 World Beer Cup
    • 2014 World Beer Cup
    • 2012 World Beer Cup
    • 2010 World Beer Cup
    • 2008 World Beer Cup
    • 2006 World Beer Cup
    • 2004 World Beer Cup
    • 2002 World Beer Cup
    • 2000 World Beer Cup
    • 1998 World Beer Cup
    • 1996 World Beer cup
  • U.S. Open
    • 2022 U.S. Open
    • 2021 U.S. Open
    • 2020 U.S. Open
    • 2019 U.S. Open
    • 2018 U.S. Open
    • 2017 U.S. Open
    • 2016 U.S. Open
    • 2015 U.S. Open
    • 2014 U.S. Open
    • 2013 U.S. Open
    • 2012 U.S. Open
    • 2011 U.S. Open
    • 2010 U.S. Open
    • 2009 U.S. Open
  • U.S. Open Cider
    • 2021 U.S. Open Cider
    • 2020 U.S. Open Cider
    • 2019 U.S. Open Cider
    • 2018 U.S. Open Cider
    • 2017 U.S. Open Cider
    • 2016 U.S. Open Cider
    • 2015 U.S. Open Cider
  • U.S. Open College
    • 2021 U.S. Open College
    • 2019 U.S. Open College
    • 2018 U.S. Open College
    • 2017 U.S. Open College
    • 2016 U.S. Open College
  • More
    • Craft Beer Releases
    • Schools
      • United States
      • Canada
      • Europe
    • Writers
      • Edwin Arnaudin
        • Zebulon Artisan Ales
        • Highland Brewing
      • Morgan Forsyth
      • Paul Leone
      • Austin Foster
      • Anne-Fitten Glenn
    • Books
      • Starting a Brewery
      • Homebrew
      • History
      • Fun & Games
    • Fun Facts

Top 10 American-Style Black Ales Brewed in North America

Top 10 American-Style Black Ales Brewed in North America
This Top Ten American-Style Black Ales list is from the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. The Top 10 American black ales are perceived to have medium high to high hop bitterness, flavor and aroma with medium-high alcohol content, balanced with a medium body. Fruity, floral and herbal character from hops of all origins may contribute character. The style is further characterized by a moderate degree of caramel malt character and dark roasted malt flavor and aroma. High astringency and high degree of burnt roast malt character should be absent. ABV: 6.30% – 9.0%. IBU: 50-70.

1. Once You Go – Lynnwood Brewing Concern – North Carolina
2. Hoppa Emeritus – Beachwood BBQ & Brewing – California
3. Bet on Black Dark Cascadian Ale – Feather Falls Brewing – California
4. Black 28 – Cannonball Creek Brewing – Colorado
5. Midnight Moonlight – Fat Head’s Brewery – Ohio
6. Wookey Jack – Firestone Walker Brewing – Colorado
7. Black Imperial IPA – Reuben’s Brew – Washington
8. Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA – Stone Brewing – California
9. Mountain Standard Double Black IPA – Odell Brewing – Colorado
10. Turmoil – Barley Brown’s Brewpub – Oregon

 

History of American-Style Black Ales

American-style black ales, often referred to as Black IPAs or Cascadian Dark Ales, are a bold and innovative craft beer style that combines the roasty, dark malt character of stouts or porters with the aggressive hop profile of India Pale Ales. Originating in the United States, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, this style emerged in the early 2000s as brewers experimented with blending the deep, jet-black color and subtle chocolate or coffee notes of dark malts with the resinous, citrusy, and piney hop flavors typical of American IPAs. The result is a beer that pours dark as night with a creamy tan head, offering a complex aroma where bright hops—often featuring varieties like Cascade, Centennial, or Simcoe—clash with roasted malt undertones. The alcohol content typically ranges from 6% to 8% ABV, providing a balanced yet robust drinking experience that appeals to fans of both dark beers and hop-forward styles.

The flavor profile of American black ales is a study in contrast, delivering a harmonious yet daring interplay between bitterness and malt depth. On the palate, you’ll encounter a burst of hop-driven grapefruit, pine, or tropical fruit notes, followed by a smooth, roasted malt backbone that might hint at dark chocolate, toasted bread, or mild coffee. The mouthfeel is often medium-bodied, with a dry finish that keeps the beer refreshing despite its dark appearance. Unlike traditional stouts, black ales avoid heavy sweetness, leaning instead toward a crisp, hoppy bite that makes them versatile for pairing with foods like grilled meats, spicy dishes, or even rich desserts. Breweries like Stone Brewing, Deschutes, and Firestone Walker have championed this style, with iconic examples like Stone’s Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale showcasing its enduring popularity in the craft beer scene.

Top 10 Beers in America – Ales  Lagers  Specialty  Barrel Aged

Primary Sidebar

Follow us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

2024 U.S. Open Beer Championship  
Medal Winners

 
2024 U.S. Open Cider Championship  
Medal Winners

Archives

  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017

Copyright © 2025 · BeerInfo.com. All Rights Reserved.