Can you remember the first time you had a black IPA? I know I remember mine and being a little obsessed with the idea at first. Here you have a black, roasty beer with the hop profile of a traditional American IPA. Visually, my mind could barely wrap around the idea of a “Black IPA”, but my palate sure could. Upon looking up some facts about the Black IPA style I came across a fellow by the name of Greg Noonan and a little story about one of the first craft breweries here in the US. Long story short (you can read the story below) Greg Noonan and fellow brewer Glenn Walter created this magnificent recipe in 1994 and set a trend for the Black IPA today. It seems every brewery is making their version but only one is paying homage to it’s creator – Smuttynose Brewing Company from Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
What started out as a short batch beer a couple of years ago has now made it’s way into six packs giving Smuttynose fans a chance to try this great concoction and celebrate the late Greg Noonan in fashion. There was no battle between roasty and hoppy, the beer is fantastic with each ingredient shining through to make a well balanced Black IPA.
The black IPA is an interesting style and I can’t believe that it was created over 15 years ago, a time when a brew like this was unheard of. Above, you can get the whole story of Greg and this style on the side of the six pack. Although Greg may no longer be with us in the brewing world, his recipe lives on and is enjoyed by many all over the world. A big thanks to Smuttynose for putting out such an influential brew, I am sure Greg is honored that you named your beer after him.
-Brian