Sierra Nevada Brewer’s Blackbird Black IPA

Brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Style: Black IPA
Chico, California USA

Serve in Shaker, Tulip

Had on tap at the brewpub. How is this supposed to be an IPA? Even a black IPA at that should at least have some robust hop character. The description calls it a "bold and bracing blast of citrusy hops." Yet, nowhere in the beer were any hops to be found. There was the slightest hint of hops on the nose, but the second you taste it, it’s all sugary-sweet malts. Based on the two other reviews, I’m not quite sure what happened from glass to glass, but this beer is a complete mess. The taste is nothing but sugary sweetness. It’s quite off-putting and with no hops to balance it, it’s really tough to drink. I even thought about sending this one back as I couldn’t finish it. The finish is just pure sweetness as if the yeast never even had a chance to work on the sugar and I’m just completely perplexed by the fact that they call this an IPA as any and all hop characteristics are missing. There’s no citrus. No pine. No floral. Just pure, unadulterated sugar and an aftertaste that rivaled the vanilla malt shake I got after this beer. Never again on this one. A waste of a pint glass.

Draft @ Rattle ’N’ Hum SN event. Dark pour with tan head. Aroma is more of chocolate, with a touch of pine and earthy hops. Flavor is dominated with chocolate, and roasted malt, some light earthy and bitterness. Would have preferred more hop presence.

Tap at Blind Tiger. Pitch black pour. The nose is softly cocoaish with a touch of piny hops on the finish. A little bit earthy with a distinct milk chocolate character. The nose has an earthy hoppiness and some light milky sweetness. Soft and surprisingly restrained on the the hopping. Decent balance. Lean through the middle with some fairly sticky sweetness toward the finish. As it warms the hoppiness picks up a distinctly pine flavour on the finish. A little bit of resinousness toward the finish as well. Fresh and quite tasty - although it’s more of a hoppy stout to me.

draft, Sierra takes the taps, Rattle & Hum, NYC. dark dark pour. Big roasty aroma. Notes of mocha & chocolate malts. TONS of flavor. Hops, chocolate, roasted malts. Balanced, BIG flavor. Really nice

Draft. Pours a black body with a tan head. Bitter and roast y, with light peat, and roasted malt. Malty grain bill, really malty. Chocolate malt dry and bitter with a lightly roast y finish.

draught, poured dark w/mildhead and a nice combination of fruits hops malts and chocolates. I enjoyed.

On tap at Rattle n Hum during their Sierra Nevada event. Pours a deep black with a thick tanned beige head. Roast, earthy and full of citrus and caramel. Big earthy roast, lots of toast and citrus. Toast, caramel, and long grapefruit on the end with some spicy roast. Well done Patrick.

UPDATED: FEB 2, 2011 On tap @ Rattle N Hum. Black opaque with a thick tan head that laces nicely. Aroma of roasty malts, chocolate, raisins, with some piney hops. Full bodied, hops come out a bit more on the palate, bit of malty sweetness along with some coffee/smoke. Finish is mostly hoppy and somewhat bitter. Strong but well balanced, quite complex and enjoyable.

tap at Blind Tiger SN event (as the RnH collaboration) - arouma is piney and floral, lots of chocolate roast. Finishes floral and astringent. Smooth bodied with nice licorice and brandy-like.