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Liberum Fermentum

Rocky Ridge Brewing Co.
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🌍 Australia · Black IPA · One of 11 Black IPAs in hopIQ

Liberum Fermentum is a black IPA at 8.5% ABV, brewed with Bracket Brewing from Sydney for IPA Day 2026 in a West Coast style. Munich malt, roasted wheat and chocolate malt give it a midnight-black body under a creamy tan head, yet it drinks lighter than it looks. Pine, guava, fresh berries and citrus rise over gentle roast and dark bread crust. The palate brings tropical fruit, resin and citrus with a subtle roasted edge, finishing crisp with a long, firm bitterness that echoes the roast.

ABV
8.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
dark30
See all Black IPA alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Firm bitter edge.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Firmly bitter and substantial.

The frame carries the weight and the hops set the tone — dense structure with a pointed edge.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Black IPA.
Hop character
piney
tropical
citrusy
resinous
hoppy
Malt character
roasted
bready
Distinctive notes
berry

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Liberum Fermentum

Appearance

A striking midnight-black body sits beneath a creamy tan head with firm retention and fine lacing. The deep SRM 30 hue dominates the glass, yet the beer reads surprisingly translucent when held to light, suggesting a lighter body than the dark malts would initially suggest. Carbonation appears well-integrated and steady.

midnight blackcreamy tan headfine lacingdeceptively light

Aroma

Pine and citrus lead the nose with bright, resinous hop character balanced by gentle roasted grain undertones. Guava and fresh berries emerge from beneath, alongside hints of dark bread crust and subtle chocolate complexity. The aromatic profile walks a compelling line between West Coast hop intensity and roasted malt restraint.

pine, resinousguava, citrus, berriesgentle roastdark bread crust

Taste

The palate opens with tropical fruit and citrus zip, followed by a wave of resinous bitterness and subtle roasted grain in the mid-palate. Cocoa and bread notes provide gentle textural depth without overwhelming the hop-forward structure. The finish arrives crisp and clean, with a long, firm bitterness that echoes the roasted character throughout.

tropical fruit forwardresinous bitternessroasted edgelong finish

Finish

A crisp, dry conclusion with substantial bitterness that lingers and evolves, the roasted undertones persisting as a textural memory. The aftertaste remains clean and composed, never harsh or overly astringent.

long firm bitternessdry, composed
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
81
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Liberum Fermentum

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 Liberum Fermentum

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 tropical, piney, bitter character as Liberum Fermentum will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Black IPAs in hopIQ

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