berlin piloten #55 totalausfall - black ipa

India Pale Ales are juicy, resinous, grassy, and spicy. They cover a wide spectrum of bright aromas and usually offer at least one hint of fruit, often a whole fruit basket in the glass. Hops take center stage, while malt typically remains subtly in the background. Hopheads and fans of strong, fruity beers will find plenty to enjoy here. At the other end of the spectrum are styles like Porter and Stout. These dark specialties put the grain in the spotlight and deliver flavor profiles with strong caramel, roasted malt, coffee, and chocolate notes. Perfect for those with a sweet tooth and lovers of full-bodied, robust beers.

However, there is also a style that combines the best of both worlds. Black IPA is the perfect choice for those who can't decide.

This relatively new subgenre of classic India Pale Ale comes in all shades of dark brown and combines intense hops with robust malt. Berlin Pilot #55 is no exception: This brew, called TotalAusfall (Total Failure), comes from BrewDog and pours into the glass the color of freshly brewed coffee. The midnight-black brew smells and tastes of tropical fruit, melt-in-the-mouth caramel, gentle roasted malt, and hearty grain. Not a compromise, but a majestic marriage of two fundamentally different styles.

For hopheads and maltminds!