Rogue Brewing Co. -- Dad's Little Helper Black IPA

Rogue Brewing Co.'s Dad's Little Helper is an annual Father's day release that changes in style each year. Last year it was a Malt Liquor. This year it is a Black IPA (also sometimes called a Cascadian Dark Ale or CDA)

6ish% ABV and 70 IBU

Review:

Appearance: This beer pours very dark-- similar to a porter or an extremely dark brown ale. The head is light tan and is quite thick.

Aroma: Roasty, citrus and earthy hops, chocolate.

Taste: ROAST! Some grain astringency, a bit of a sour hop character and what I think is Chinook hop bittering.

Mouthfeel: wheaty, earthy, gritty. Slightly chalky... like walking down a dirt road and a car speeds past you kicking up a dust storm. 

(Side Note: Another Black IPA / CDA that I rated can be found here)

Overall:

This style is still being defined. As such, it is a little tough to grade it on what it should be. Still, I'll just write what my taste buds are telling me: Too wheaty, too much astringency from the roasted grains, too porter/stout like to call it an IPA. 

Grade: B-

Barrel Man says,

"Sorry, Dad."

(Bottle Purchased at Liquor Collection)

Deschutes Brewery's -- Hop in the Dark C.D.A. (Cascadian Dark Ale)

Deschutes Brewery's Hop in the Dark was the second best beer reviewed by Wine Enthusiast magazine in 2010. Some beer writers are saying that this year, Hop in the Dark is even better!

6.5% ABV and 70 IBU's

Review:

Appearance: This beer looks just like a stout as it sits in the glass. It is seriously black with a dark tan head. The head retention is great and leaves lacing down the entire glass. My guess is that there are wheat and oats in this beer.

Aroma: Strong cascade/citrusy hop aromas. Behind that, there is just a hint of sweet malt. 

Taste: 

First sip-- hops, then rye bread, then roasted coffee notes.

Second sip-- hops and then roasty notes.

Third sip -- hops and then more hops.

Every other sip-- hops and hops and hops. 

The hop character is citrusy and grapefruity up front, with an earthy middle and a gritty Chinook-like feel late.

(Side Note: Cascadian Dark Ales are an emerging style that is new to the commercial market. It is my humble opinion that this trend was pushed by home brewers who were concerned with making something tasty to drink -- and unconcerned with how to market or make money on a beer that doesn't fit in the style guidelines. Commercial brewers who make their money by marketing beer took a while to come around to this innovative style. If you enjoy this beer, and how different it is from most other beers on the market, you may enjoy making your own beer.)

Overall: 

This is a great dark IPA or CDA or whatever you want to call it. It is very hoppy but not so much that you laugh at how ridiculous it is. Kanaka who like malty beers will be disappointed, as this beer is not balanced between hops and malts. This beer is balanced by setting a roasty mouthfeel against hops, and balancing the aggressive hops with earthy hops. 

On Deschutes website it states that it took the brewery 22 experimental batches to get the right combination. I believe this is probably true. Overall this is a well crafted IPA-like CDA.

Grade: A

Barrel Man says,

"As dark as a 

well-digger's hole

on a moonless

winter solstice."

(Bottle purchased at Liquor Collection)