What Is a Black IPA? And Are There Any Worth Trying in the UK?

What Is a Black IPA? And Are There Any Worth Trying in the UK?

If you like your beer bold, bitter, and a bit different, a Black IPA might be right up your street.

It’s a style that doesn’t make much sense at first. Dark like a stout, but packed with the hops you’d expect from an IPA.

I’ll be honest, it took me a couple of goes to really “get” it. But once it clicks, it’s one of the most interesting styles out there.

You won’t see loads of them in supermarkets, but they do pop up now and again, and when they do, they’re worth paying attention to.

So, what exactly is a Black IPA?

A Black IPA, sometimes called a Cascadian Dark Ale, blends two things that don’t sound like they should work together. Roasted dark malts and the bright, punchy hops of an IPA.

You end up with something that looks like a porter, smells slightly roasty, but drinks like a hopped-up pale ale.

The malt brings coffee, chocolate, and a bit of depth. The hops bring citrus, pine, and bitterness. When it’s done well, it balances beautifully .. they are rich, but still crisp.

Where did it come from?

Like a lot of these hop-heavy styles, it started in the US.

Brewers in the Pacific Northwest began experimenting in the late 1990s, adding darker malts to IPA recipes to see what would happen. The result was something new. Dark, bitter, and not quite anything else.

When it reached the UK, it softened slightly. Still hoppy, but often a bit smoother and more balanced.

What does a Black IPA taste like?

• Aroma: Roasted malt, coffee, with citrus or pine from the hops
• Taste: Grapefruit, orange peel, pine, followed by cocoa and roast
• Finish: Dry, slightly bitter, sometimes coffee-like
• Body: Medium, smooth, lighter than it looks

It’s one of those beers where your expectations get flipped. It looks like one thing and drinks like another.

Why it takes a bit of getting used to

The first time you try one, your brain expects a stout. What you get instead is bitterness, fruit, and hops.

That clash can feel odd at first.

But once your palate adjusts, it starts to make sense. The roast softens, the hops brighten, and the balance becomes the whole point.

A few Black IPAs worth trying

You won’t find loads of these in supermarkets, but they do exist, and they’re worth grabbing when you see them.

Rabbit Pants – Wild Beer Co (RIP)

This was the beer that got me into the style. Roasty, tropical, smooth, and properly balanced. A real shame it’s no longer around.

Black Mass – Abbeydale Brewery

Not labelled as a Black IPA, but very close. Dark, roasty, and full-bodied with a good hop edge. One that’s been around for years and still holds up.

Bravehop Dark – Loch Lomond Brewery

A great modern example. Roasty upfront, then citrus and pine come through before settling back into chocolate and coffee. Nicely balanced and very drinkable.

What makes a good Black IPA

• Balance: Hops and malt working together
• Clean finish: Crisp, not heavy
• Freshness: Important for the hop character
• Controlled roast: Enough to add depth, not overwhelm

Get that right, and it’s a truly brilliant style.

Why you don’t see more of them

Black IPAs sit in an odd space.

Too dark for IPA drinkers who want something light and hazy. Too hoppy for people expecting a stout.

That probably explains why they’ve never really gone mainstream, especially in supermarkets.

But when you do find one, it’s usually because a brewery knows what it’s doing.

Final thoughts

Black IPA is one of those styles that rewards a bit of patience.

It’s a contradiction, dark but hoppy, rich but still refreshing.

Not something you’ll drink every day, but definitely something worth trying if you want a change from the usual.

If you’re looking for more accessible styles, I’ve put together a guide to good beers you can buy in UK supermarkets that are easier to find and consistently worth picking up.

But if you ever see a Black IPA on the shelf, grab it. It might just surprise you.