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Black Rock IPA

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Roasty and toasty on a dark malt base, with a touch of coffee and chocolate and a lingering hop character on top. This Black IPA, listed as a Cascadian Dark Ale, has 6.8% ABV and 85 IBU. Taos Mesa Brewing brews on a 10 BBL Craftwerks system and cans on a Wild Goose line.

ABV
6.8%
Bitterness
Very bitter85 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
dark30
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
toastyroastedhoppy
toasty
roasted
hoppy
chocolate
coffee
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with roasted malt character—burnt toast and dark chocolate notes dominate, supported by subtle coffee undertones.
also:citrusy
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Black Rock IPA

◎ Appearance

Deep garnet to near-black color with a SRM of 30, presenting significant opacity without cloudiness. A dense, tan head forms readily and maintains good adhesion to the glass throughout the pour. Carbonation appears measured and integrated, contributing to a composed, substantial visual profile.

deep garnetopaquelasting head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with roasted malt character—burnt toast and dark chocolate notes dominate, supported by subtle coffee undertones. Noble hop aromatics emerge in the mid-ground, introducing mild citrus and floral complexity that prevents the aroma from becoming one-dimensional. The interplay between dark grain and refined hop presence is deliberate and balanced.

roasted maltdark chocolatecoffeenoble hops

◐ Taste

Entry develops toasty, caramelized malt sweetness with chocolate notes evident on the mid-palate. A substantial 85 IBU bitterness rises steadily without overwhelming the malt base, while citrus-forward hop character cuts through cleanly. The finish holds firm with both roasted grain persistence and a resinous, lingering hop bite that defines the Black IPA's dual nature.

toastedchocolateassertive bitternesshoppy resin

◑ Finish

The aftertaste extends with a dry, bitter character anchored by roasted malt echoes and persistent hop bite. The 6.8% ABV remains gracefully restrained, never warming or alcohol-forward, allowing the flavor compounds to linger without harshness.

drylingering bitterness
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
82
Appearance
78
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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Black Rock IPA

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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 toasty, roasted, hoppy character as Black Rock IPA 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 →