hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

James

Tap to rate

Roasty and smooth, with accents of chocolate and a balanced hoppy finish. This American Black IPA is brewed with American and German malted barley, Columbus and Simcoe hops and the house ale yeast, dry-hopped, unfiltered and naturally carbonated, at 6.8%. James was the brewer's uncle, Edward James Hill Jr., and the brewery sits on land that was once home to him and his four siblings.

ABV
6.8%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
dark30
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
roastedchocolatehoppy
roasted
chocolate
hoppy
malty
citrusy
Aroma
The nose leads with roasted grain and dark chocolate, followed by earthy undertones from the Columbus hops.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for James

◎ Appearance

Deep brown to black in color with a dense, tan head that clings to the glass with visible lacing. The beer presents a slight haze characteristic of its unfiltered nature, with fine carbonation visible throughout. The natural carbonation produces a steady stream of small bubbles that sustains the foam structure.

deep brown-blackdense tan headunfiltered hazefine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with roasted grain and dark chocolate, followed by earthy undertones from the Columbus hops. Subtle citrus notes from the Simcoe hops emerge in the background, balanced against a slight mineral quality from the German and American malted barley. The house ale yeast contributes a clean, neutral fermentation character without fruity esters.

roasted graindark chocolatecitrus accentearthy hop character

◐ Taste

Entry shows smooth roasted malt and cocoa flavors, with a mild sweetness that establishes the beer's foundation. The mid-palate develops a firm hop bitterness from the dry-hopping, with citrus and herbal notes weaving through the chocolate backbone. The finish dries considerably, with lingering roast and a balanced bitterness that does not overpower.

roasted maltchocolate bodybalanced bitternesscitrus-herbal hops

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and moderately long, with roasted grain and mild hop bitterness persisting on the palate. A subtle chocolate note fades into a clean, slightly peppery aftertaste.

dry finishlingering roastmoderate length
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
80
Finish
78
Serve at 8–11°C

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

Tulip glass

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

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with James

More from Hill Farmstead Brewery

Abner
Abner
Double IPA
8.3%·Very bitter
Find matches →
Anna
Anna
Saison
6.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Arthur
Arthur
Saison
6%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Autumna
Autumna
Festbier
4.6%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Biere de Norma
Biere de Norma
Bière de Garde
7%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Brother Soigné
Brother Soigné
Saison
5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Charlie
Charlie
Saison
2%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Dorothy
Dorothy
Pale Ale
7%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

About Black IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a 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 Black IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, smooth, chocolate character as James will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Black IPA beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →