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Black Bucket

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Rye and roasted malts balance against fresh hop flavours and aromas, which is a harder trick than it sounds at this colour: the beer pours dark brown to black but drinks like a hoppy ale rather than a stout. American hops carry the aroma. Black Bucket is the darker, stronger counterpart to Rustbucket, first brewed in 2014, and the most decorated beer of the house.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Very bitter69 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
dark30
PaceTwo or Three

AWARDS

Gold · 2022
World Beer Cup
American-Style Black Ale or American-Style Stout
Gold · 2018
Brussels Beer Challenge
Dark Ale : Dark/Black IPA
Bronze · 2019
Brussels Beer Challenge
Dark Ale : Dark/Black IPA
Gold · 2020
Brussels Beer Challenge
Dark Ale : Dark/Black IPA
Gold · 2024
Brussels Beer Challenge
Dark Ale : Dark/Black IPA
★Gold — World Beer Cup (American-Style Black Ale or American-Style Stout)
★Gold — Brussels Beer Challenge (Dark Ale : Dark/Black IPA)
★Bronze — Brussels Beer Challenge (Dark Ale : Dark/Black IPA)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppyroastedmalty
hoppy
roasted
malty
floral
piney
citrusy
Aroma
American hop varieties dominate the nose with citrus, pine, and subtle floral notes that cut through the roasted malt backdrop.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Black Bucket

◎ Appearance

Black Bucket pours dark brown to black with a tight, persistent head that leaves distinct lacing on the glass. The opacity is complete, though light does penetrate the beer's edge with mahogany tones. Carbonation is moderate and stable, supporting the foam structure throughout the session.

dark brown to blackpersistent headopaque with mahogany rim

◌ Aroma

American hop varieties dominate the nose with citrus, pine, and subtle floral notes that cut through the roasted malt backdrop. Rye contributes a spicy, grainy undertone that sits cleanly beneath the hops. No fermentation esters are evident; the aroma stays tightly focused on the interplay between roast and resinous hop character.

citrus and pine hopsroasted grainspicy rye notes

◐ Taste

The palate enters with bright hop bitterness and piney resin, followed by a mid-palate where rye and roasted malts emerge with cocoa and dried-grain character. The 69 IBUs anchor the beer without overwhelming the roasted base. Mouthfeel is clean and crisp, allowing the hop flavor to linger without harsh tannins.

resinous hop bitecocoa and roasted maltspicy grain structurebright and dry

◑ Finish

The finish is persistently bitter with a dry, lingering hop character that extends well beyond the swallow. Subtle cocoa and rye spice fade into a clean, astringent aftertaste.

dry hop finishlingering bitterness
84
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
85
Appearance
82
Finish
82
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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Black Bucket

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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 hoppy, roasted, malty character as Black Bucket 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 Ireland beers →