Tree Hophead Black India Pale Ale

Brewed by Tree Brewing
Style: Black IPA
Kelowna, Canada

Serve in Shaker, Tulip

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As an avid impy and DIPA fan these BlkIPA collaborations of style are (is?) both fascinating and, more often than not a matter of strongly disagreeing opinion. This one is just very good beer, the boldness of the strong hops nicely tempered by the malt and dark ale fruit profile. Not just a bunch of roast and chocolate clashing away at the piney-citrus hops, just enough cocoa and roast coffee - the key here, dark berry--ish undertones of fruit hold things in balance and makes this a very fine brew, regardless of what we expect a black ipa to be. It’s just great.

Bottle, LCBO. Dark brown pour, small bubbly head. Strong aroma of hops and roasted malt - those hops are quite kicky. Taste is excellent - maltiness expect with a ton of earthy and citrus hops. A ton. Alcohol right there too, mouthfeel bordering on thick. This is a big beer and it lets you know it. A really well done black IPA.

Decent brew although not what I would expect for the style. Nose is malty molasses and caramel. Taste also malty sweet. Minimal hop presence. Is smooth and easy drinking but not what I would consider a black ipa. Decent but not great

Pours a black with a thin beige ring. Aroma of roasted malts, bitter chocolate and floral hops. Taste is a mix of bitter chocolate, roasted malts and a small floral hop bitterness. Such a confusing style, everyone has a different interpretation.

Pours a mahogany brown with a fizzy beige cap. The aroma is malty, chocolate and roasted coffee, bit of alcohol, not much hops. The flavour is also dominated by roasted malts, chocolate, roasted coffee, touch of licorice, and toffee, hops show up in the end as almost an after thought. The flavour is good, but this isn’t really has hoppy as a black IPA should be.

Purchased at the LCBO in a single bomber, written "Limited Edition" on the front. Pours a very dark brown with ruby highlights. Beige frothy head that stays a long time and creates soapy lacing. Roasted malt aromas with notes of nuts, chocolate and caramel. Smooth creamy mouthfeel with no burning at all. Nice bitterness with the hop finally showing in the taste. Well-balanced with the roasted malt, molasses and nutty finish. So, pretty good brew where is feels like a stout at first, but when tasted, that is where the hop shows up to make this one a Black IPA.

Bottle [650ml] shared with HogTownHarry, garthicus, GregClow, jerc & mabel -- c/o GregClow. Pours black with ruby hues and an average size frothy tan head. Aroma is hoppy and malty, with dark malt and leafy hops. Flavour of lightly roasted malt, leafy hops and an average bitter finish. Alcohol is very well hidden. Pretty good.

bomber from the LCBO. pours dark brown with a tan head. deep dark malt aroma, very little hops. the flavour is again malt forward, nicely layered but not typical of the style. drinks like a well hopped porter. not a good example of a black IPA.

650 ml bottle from LCBO. Pours a dark, slightly reddish, brown with with a modest-sized tan head. Aroma is dominated by roasty/smoky malt with chocolate, coffee, dark fruit and caramel. Flavour is also quite roasty and a little boozy with cocoa, brown sugar, treacle, cherry and some citrus. Not nearly as hoppy as I’d expected, but rich and full of flavour.

Bomber from LCBO. Pours clear, black, with a thin beige head. Tootsie roll aroma with some cherry. Taste is roasty, bitter, dark fruits, spice, and a little booze. Body is fairly full, but weaker than I’d expect for 8.8% ABV. Pretty good.