“Thought that I would try something new with this Black IPA. Great Beer that people should try. The fermentation took 13 days to get it down to 1010 but was worth the wait. I allowed 6 weeks before opening the first bottle comes with a full head with a slight liquorish hint. At bottling it registered 5.1% alc. It was well received by the family tasters even one who claims to dislike Dark beers.
Will make this one again in the future.”
“Seems almost foolproof. Have made 3 batches, this last one might have a touch more maltiness about it. I am sipping on one now and more than 10 minutes in there is still a creamy coffee colour to the 1/2cm of head. It's a smooth drink with an aromatic nose and the slight bite of an IPA.
Brewing, while absolutely no expert, the things that work for me are keeping it for a minimum of 2 weeks in the fermenter (still struggling with the hydrometer) putting it on the heat pad for the first week at least, when the temperature predicted to fall below 8d. I do the same once bottled.
I wait a 3-4 weeks before drinking and as the months go by in seems to improve for up to 6 months then plateaus. It is obvious that the sediment diminishes a little over time.”
“I have previously reviewed this beer and rated it very highly (5 stars). Several months post bottling, it was still getting better. Ten months on from bottling and I have just tried some 'maturation stock' and whilst the improvement has stopped, it certainly hasn't deteriorated. Great brew. I'm looking forward to drinking these 'matured' bottles over the winter months.”
“This is an excellent home brew. Not even 2 weeks after bottling, I tried a small bottle of it. I can't wait to taste it 3+ weeks onwards. Possibly the best home brew I've made, even at this early stage. Note that I added 225 grams of quick oats directly into the bottom of the fermenter. I don't know if it's added any particular positive characters to the beer, but thought I'd mention it.”
“I had tried a black IPA before and loved the complexity of it. It has the appearance of a stout and still has those toasted flavour notes, but much more light and crisp with those nice hoppy IPA tunes coming through Recommended to leave in the bottle for a good 3 weeks before cracking one open.”
