Bravehop Dark Review – Loch Lomond Brewery

Bravehop Dark Review

A Black IPA that quietly proves how good this style can be.

Sometimes a beer surprises you for no reason other than the fact it’s genuinely well made. That’s exactly how I felt when I tried Bravehop Dark from Loch Lomond Brewery.

I’d like to say I picked this up on a whim in Lidl, but the truth is a bit more deliberate. I like to review a wide range of beers, and if there’s something I’ve never tried before, it usually ends up in the basket. At £1.99 for a 440ml can, Bravehop Dark also ticked another box. I’ve been trying to build out my Black IPA reviews and get a better handle on the style.

What I didn’t expect was for it to end up as one of my favourites in the category, scoring a solid 8 out of 10.

Black IPAs are one of those styles that can take a little getting used to. They look dark and heavy, like a stout or porter, then hit you with hops, fruit, and sometimes pine. That contrast can feel strange the first time around, and I can completely understand why it puts some people off.

For me, though, Bravehop Dark absolutely nailed the balance. It made me sit back and appreciate what this style can do when it’s handled properly.

 

Appearance

Poured into the glass, Bravehop Dark shows off a rich, deep brown colour, edging towards opaque. There’s a creamy tan head that settles slowly and leaves a tidy lace down the glass as you drink.

It doesn’t sparkle like a pale ale or a standard IPA, but there’s a subtle sheen that hints at drinkability rather than heaviness. Visually, it tells you there’s roast in the beer, but it also suggests there’s more going on than just dark malt.

It looks serious without being intimidating, which is the first thing it gets right.

 

Aroma

The first thing that hits you on the nose is roast. There’s a gentle chocolate and coffee note sitting in the background, but it never feels overpowering. It smells like a beer with depth, but also one you could happily drink a full can of.

After that initial roastiness, softer hop notes start to appear. I picked up light citrus, leaning more towards orange zest than anything sharp. Interestingly, I didn’t get much pine on the aroma at all.

The hops aren’t shouting in the way some American IPAs do. They’re there quietly, doing their job. This isn’t a dark beer that happens to have hops added. It’s a proper Black IPA where both sides of the style get their moment.

I’ve said it before about Black IPAs, but it’s worth repeating. This style can mess with your senses at first. Your brain expects chocolate and coffee, then citrus appears and you pause for a second. It’s a strange contradiction, and when it’s done well, it’s hugely enjoyable.

 

Taste

This is where Bravehop Dark really won me over. It’s also worth saying straight away that this is a very smooth beer, and that makes a big difference to how enjoyable it is.

The first sip delivers that roastiness you picked up on the aroma. It’s warm, smooth, and malty, but never heavy or cloying. It gives the beer a solid backbone and sets the stage nicely for the hops.

Then the hops arrive. Gentle citrus, a hint of pine, and nothing aggressive or sharp. Like the aroma, they don’t overpower the malt. Instead, they sit just behind it, creating a really pleasing push-and-pull across the palate.

The bitterness is measured rather than bold. It lingers just enough to remind you that you’re drinking a Black IPA, but it never overwhelms. I mainly picked up coffee-like bitterness from the malts, with a softer bitterness from the hops underneath.

The finish is clean, dry, and lightly coffee-led, which brings the whole thing together and leaves the beer feeling polished and complete.

I was genuinely impressed by the level of flavour here, especially given the price. Too many beers at this end of the market either fall flat or lean too heavily on one element. Bravehop Dark feels rounded, thoughtful, and satisfying.

It probably helps that Loch Lomond rarely disappoint. I’m struggling to think of a genuinely bad beer I’ve had from them.

 

Mouthfeel

As already mentioned, this is a lovely smooth beer. Body-wise, it sits comfortably in the medium range. There’s enough weight to support the roasted malts, but it never drifts into heavy or dessert-like territory.

The carbonation is moderate, giving the beer a lift on the palate and stopping it from feeling dense. It’s easy to drink, but it still has presence.

This is the kind of beer that works just as well on its own as it does with food, or simply enjoyed in front of the TV without feeling like hard work.

 

Value for money

This is the bit that really seals it. I paid £1.99 for a 440ml can in Lidl. Let that sink in.

A beer with this much balance, this much flavour, and a proper handle on the Black IPA style for under two pounds feels almost unfair. You just don’t expect value like this in this corner of the beer world.

Even if price wasn’t part of the equation, I’d still recommend it. As it stands, it feels like an absolute bargain.

 

Overall impression

Bravehop Dark scores an 8 out of 10 from me. It’s not perfect, and there are bigger, bolder Black IPAs out there, but for what it is, it delivers everything you’d want from the style.

The roast leads without dominating, the hops are present without being aggressive, and the finish is clean and drinkable. It’s approachable enough for someone new to Black IPAs, but still satisfying for those who already enjoy the style.

It’s the kind of beer that encourages you to explore Black IPAs further and see how different breweries interpret them.

 

Closing notes

Bravehop Dark is a standout Black IPA in the UK market. It doesn’t have hype or flashy branding on its side, but it doesn’t need it.

This is a beer that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get something complex, enjoyable, and memorable. If you spot it in Lidl or elsewhere, grab a can, pour it into a glass, and give it the time it deserves.

It’s earned a permanent place on my Black IPA shortlist.