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Camba Black Shark

Camba Bavaria
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🌍 Germany · Imperial Black IPA · One of 1 Imperial Black IPAs in hopIQ

Camba Bavaria's Black Shark is the rare Imperial Black IPA that doesn't apologise for either half of its identity. Jet-black, dense, 8.5% and 75 IBU — roasted malt and dark chocolate anchor a serious hoppy punch that's almost resinous, with barely a whisper of sweetness to soften the blow. Won gold at the World Beer Awards 2024. For hop lovers who aren't afraid of the dark.

ABV
8.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
dark35

AWARDS

Gold · 2024
World Beer Awards 2024
Dark Lager
Gold — World Beer Awards 2024 (Dark Lager)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Very dry and assertively bitter.

The malt sets the frame and lets the hops carry the flavour.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Imperial Black IPA.
Hop character
hoppy
piney
resinous
citrusy
Malt character
roasted
chocolate
malty
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
smoky
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best German IPAs

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Camba Black Shark

Appearance

Jet-black with minimal light penetration, presenting the deep opacity characteristic of roasted grain bills. The head is dense and persistent, leaving fine lacing that clings to the glass with each sip. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, supporting a sustained foam collar.

jet-blackopaquedense headpersistent lacing

Aroma

The nose opens with roasted malt and dark chocolate notes, anchored by a serious resinous hop presence that borders on piney. Beneath lies a subtle citrus thread and hints of dark fruit complexity. The alcohol warmth is present but restrained, allowing the malt-hop interplay to remain prominent without aromatic roughness.

roasted maltdark chocolateresinous hopspinedark fruit

Taste

Entry is bold and uncompromising: roasted grain and chocolate immediately establish themselves, followed by a clean, assertive hop bitterness that carries a distinctly resinous character. The mid-palate reveals layered dark fruit and piney notes without excessive sweetness to blunt the finish. Alcohol structure at 8.5% provides fullness without heat, while a subtle smokiness adds dimension to the bittersweet core.

hoppybitterresinousdark chocolatedry palatepiney finish

Finish

The finish is long and dry, with lingering bitterness and resinous hop compounds settling into the aftertaste. A whisper of roasted grain persists without cloying; the overall impression is one of architectural restraint—bitterness without aggression.

dry finishlingering bitternessresinous aftertaste
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
89
Appearance
85
Finish
86
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Camba Black Shark

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass
Recommended for this style

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Camba Black Shark

About Imperial Black IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Imperial Black IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar Imperial Black IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, bitter, resinous character as Camba Black Shark will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

WHERE TO BUY

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