Back In Black vs Labyrinth Black Ale: Which Should You Drink?

HOPIQ FACEOFF

Back In Black

Naparbier

Spain · Black IPA

hopIQ rank #2947

73%

Overall similarity

side by side, across 56 flavour tags

Labyrinth Black Ale

Uinta Brewing Company

United States · Black IPA

HOPIQ TAKE

Back In Black if you want to ease into black IPAs without getting knocked around, Labyrinth Black Ale if you want the full heavyweight experience. Both hit the same IBU target at 60, so bitterness-wise you're in the same ballpark—the real difference is that extra 1.5% ABV in Labyrinth, which you'll feel warming your chest on the finish. Back In Black is the more approachable date; Labyrinth is the one that sticks around.

See what fits your taste

Build your Beer DNA

hopIQ scores every beer against your palate, not the average drinker's.

WHEN TO CHOOSE WHICH

Pick Back In Black when…

→You're early in the night and want something that drinks easy despite the dark color
→You want to understand what a black IPA is supposed to do without commitment

Pick Labyrinth Black Ale when…

→You're ready for something with real presence and substance
→You're okay with alcohol warmth as part of the experience, not a bug
→You're settling in for one or two thoughtful beers, not a session

SIDE BY SIDE

	Back In Black	Labyrinth Black Ale
ABV	7.5%	9%
Bitterness	Strongly bitter	Strongly bitter
Colour	Dark	Dark
Style	Black IPA	Black IPA
Origin	Spain	United States

WHAT IT TASTES OF

8 shared · 6 distinct

Both beers

roastedhoppychocolatepineycitrusybitterdark fruitboozy

STRUCTURE — HOW IT'S BUILT

Back In BlackLabyrinth Black Ale

Bitterness

Body

TASTING NOTES

Back In Black

RoastedHoppyResinous

Back In Black walks a tightrope that most black IPAs fumble—it's dark without being heavy-handed about it. You get actual roasted malt character, almost like burnt toast edges, but the pine and citrus hops cut through cleanly instead of muddying everything. At 7.5%, it drinks lighter than it looks, which is exactly the point. There's a dryness on the back end that keeps it from feeling syrupy, so you could genuinely have two of these without feeling like you need a nap.

Labyrinth Black Ale

RoastedHoppyChocolate

Labyrinth is noticeably more muscular—that extra ABV isn't just numbers on a label, you taste the warmth and body it brings. The roasted character goes deeper here, almost charcoal-like, and the hops have to work harder to assert themselves against the malt backbone. It's less crisp than Back In Black and more contemplative, the kind of beer where you slow down between sips. There's a slight alcohol heat on the finish that some will read as complexity, others as weight.

Find beers like Back In Black

View alternatives →

Find beers like Labyrinth Black Ale

View alternatives →

← All comparisons