Pizza Port Black Lie IPA

Brewed by Pizza Port (Carlsbad)
Style: American Strong Ale
Carlsbad, California USA

ON tap at brewery. Clear dark brown with a fizzy white head. Citrus and very hoppy aroma and taste with a crisp dry finish.

On tap @ Boulder Strong Ale Fest poured a clear dark brown with a lasting tan head. Aromas of roastiness, grapefruit, pine and earthiness. Palate was light to medium bodied and smooth. Flavors of grapefruit, pine, carmel and light roastiness with a smooth lingering bitter finish.

On tap at Pizza Port Carlsbad. I’ve been waiting a long time to try this one. A pretty outstanding black IIPA I thought. Frothy and lacy white head with a thoroughly floral and piny aroma. Flavor and hop profile seemed quite similar to Poor Man’s IPA. Spicy grapefruit and orange citrus that leans crisp and refreshing, with a prominent malt undertone. Lots of carbonation in the finish that helps to prolong the resiny bitterness.

Pint at PP Carlsbad. Debated on whether to get a pint of this and a taster of taster of Czar RIS, or vice versa. Wish I had gotten the vice versa. I don’t what it is about black IPAs, like this and Stone 11th. I don’t like them as much. It’s possible it is simply a delusion, but more likely, the limited number of Black IPAs just haven’t been that good compared to the best IIPAs. Dark black-red color. Head fades to a cottony wisp on the surface, with lingering lacing on the side of the glass. Aroma is mildly hoppy. This seems to happen often when I get a pint at a bar. I think it has something to do with the carbonation setup. Lots of grassy and grapefruit hops. Lots of bitterness. Not as smooth as other famous hoppy beers.

Growler from PP Carlsbad. Pours dark red as you pour it but in the glass it looks pitch black. Hold it up to the light and there is ruby red highlights. Good carbonation produces a nice 3 finger head that leaves nice lacing. Smell is nice citrus hops, light bready notes, sweet malt, faint chocolate and roast. Taste is out of this world. Dank hops, roasted malts, smoke/ash, light chocolate and earthy tones. Mouthfeel is nice with a somewhat oily texture and solid carbonation. This is much better then the Stone 11th and it was a pleasure to drink.

On-tap at PP C’Bad. Pours very dark brown with a creamy off-white head that leaves lots of spiderweb lace. Smells dark, somewhat smokey malty and hoppy citrusy, grassy as well. Tastes hoppy but also roasty malty at the same time. The malts hit first and then the citrusy and grassy hops take over. Medium body, coats the mouth, active carbonation.

Now this brew is fantastic! No, really. Tap at Liar’s Club and Dtown Johnny Brown... flat out delicious. Very deceiving from the looks of it, opaque black color, but has the taste of a DIPA. Hence the name. Good balance, easy to slam down, but they def catch up with you. Too bad its all gone! Bring this one back!

On tap at Stone brewpub. Pours pitch black with a creamy white head. Monster piney hops aroma which you never expect from this dark of a beer if you dont know its an IPA. Tastes like an IPA, just darker. Its got the hoppy grapefruit taste to it, but nothing overpowering. Very nicely blended and well balanced. Just cool to drink a beer that dark that tastes so hoppy.