by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
Black IPA’s – or should that be an ‘IBA’ – are currently one of the most popular beer styles. And we think our Dutch friends have done a great job with their take on the style.
It pours a very dark brown, almost black, with a tan head. The smell is all IPA – citrus, pine needles, ripe summer fruits. There is a background of roasted malt, but the hops dominate.
The taste is also all about the hops, with punchy grassy and floral notes and a little tropical fruit sweetness. If you close your eyes, you may not think you have a Black IPA at all. The roasted malt body is there, and provides enough backbone to balance up the hop character. Notes of chocolate and a little coffee are also to be found – but only if you look hard.
There is a pleasant lingering aftertaste. Not overly bitter, just fragrant, alive and delicious!
About the style: as for all new styles, it is the result of brewers pushing the boundaries and experimenting. American brewers claim credit for this style, which is also referred to as an American Black Ale, or Cascadian Dark Ale.
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
This black IPA from La Debauche is full of dark chocolate, coffee, liquorice with a little fruit and sustained bitterness
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A 3.5% session pale ale, bursting with hop character
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A big Russian imperial Stout aged in Bowmore Whiskey barrels
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
It is Creme Brûlée - dessert in a glass
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A cracking Double IPA, in the true West Coast US style
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
Emelisse's take on the classic Belgian Dubbel style
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
Emelisse brewery's take on an English Bitter session beer
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A rich and luxurious Imperial Stout infused with coffee beans from Italy
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
One of Emelisse's big hitters - a Dopplebock malt bomb, with a little hop bitterness and spice
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
Like black engine oil, rich and complex. An interesting take on the style, aged 2 months on oak
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
Smooth roasted malt, with hints of chocolate and coffee
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A pleasant peaty smokiness, complimented by a malt backbone and hop bitterness for a very balanced Rauchbier.
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A hazy golden saison - crisp, citrusy, earthy and dry
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
20% rye, 10% smoked malt with Simcoe and Cascade hops
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A mighty tripel IPA - 10.0% ABV and 103 IBU's - sometimes 'double' is not enough!
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A 5.5% sweet stout presenting loads of sweet chocolate and toasty malts, hints of coffee and an undercurrent of vanilla
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A big malty barley wine given the treatment in Bourbon barrels
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
The first White Label barrel-aged offering from the new owners and brewers of the Emelisse beer range
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
An Imperial Russian Stout aged in a single use Old Smokey Bourbon barrel
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
An Imperia Russian Stout aged in red wine barrels and then blended for packaging
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
A dark, spicy seasonal offering for those cold nights by the fire
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
The winter seasonal from Emelisse is an ABT/quadrupel. Each year they add a different ingredient - for 2015 they've added English liquorice