We’ve had a few beers from La Debauche in the past, and they don’t really seem to specialise in any particular style. Rather, we’ve had beers across a really broad range of styles, and they have all been very good beers.
So here we have a dark beer from their range – a black IPA. This style seemed to have its moment of fame a few years back, but has quickly disappeared from all but a few brewery portfolios. A big shame really as I think it’s a great style of beer.
As far as black IPAs go, this is quite a ‘stouty’ one. There is a good dose of roasted malt in the body, giving flavours of dark chocolate, coffee and a hint of liquorice. There is also a little fruity character in the background, suggesting some citrus and dark berries.
The body has an inviting sweetness early on, which kind of gives way first to a roasty malt bitterness becoming more of a hop bitterness as the beer progresses. Although it has a sweetness in the mouth, it finishes reasonably dry with a lingering bitterness.
A delicious Black IPA that balances the roasted malt character with a resiny, fruity hop character
A big dark Black IPA combining the fruitiness of a traditional IPA with the body and complexity of a dark beer
A Black IPA from Brasserie De La Senne - lots of roasted malts and earthy hop flavours
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
The new version of Emelisse Black IPA, now with a changed recipe being produced by Slot-Oostende brewery
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A West Coast US-style Black IPA - floral, punchy and delicious
A Belgian style ale, something of a cross between and blond and amber ale
A really interesting, slightly sour Imperial Stout that has been barrel aged for 12 months and spiked with wild Brettanomyces yeast
A milkshake lager with popcorn and pineapple - a crazy combination that just seems to work
A delicious imperial milk stout with the addition of coffee beans, cocoa beans and lactose
La Debauche presents their interpretation of the classic Belgian Dubbel style
As the label suggest, this is an IPA brewed using all French ingredients
Described as an International IPA, this beer is full of mango and citrus
A lightly soured blonde beer with the additional of passionfruit and lemon
An IPA which mixes the influences of both the Anglo-Saxon and US versions of this style
A refreshing witbier 'hopped' with a healthy dose of jasmine
A Hoppy Wheat Ale with a light malt body and fruity, slightly spicy hop character
An imperial stout aged with American oak from bourbon barrels
This big barley wine is spiked with Brettanomyces and aged in oak barrels for 18 months
A delicious milk stout with the addition of lactose