Black Rajah
The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works

Black RajahBlack Rajah
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From:
The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
 
Ohio, United States
Style:
Black IPA
Ranked #13
ABV:
6.8%
Score:
92
Ranked #4,436
Avg:
4.15 | pDev: 8.43%
Reviews:
64
Ratings:
425
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jun 01, 2022
Added:
Oct 16, 2012
Wants:
  20
Gots:
  90
A Black IPA full of tropical fruit players and assertive bitterness and a hint of roasted malt. Featuring Citra hops.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Eastside151:
Photo of Eastside151
Rated by Eastside151 from Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

Nov 03, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Photo of KT3418
Reviewed by KT3418 from Colorado

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was overall balanced and well done I think. Or maybe im just getting more used to the style and adjusted my expectations lol. Idk but this is pretty good
Mar 31, 2022
 
Rated: 3.94 by Blogjackets from Ohio

Mar 10, 2022
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.6/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Another beer review from Christmas Day, 2015.

Ah the end of 2015, I think the black ipa trend is about done. Black ale pours black with a brown head, at the full one inch level, looks good. As usual for a black ale, the commercial tug job about tropical fruit notes are overstated compared with reality. More of a roasted malt nose than a tropical fruit hop note. More bittering hops come through than aroma hops.

Taste is fine, has the hop bitter pine and grapefruit combo, alongside some roasted diner coffee notes. Well carbonated. The citra hops just don't do their normal citra thing when paired with a darker malt bill it seems. Good dry finish to it.

All in all I think this is a pretty good black ale, but they kinda set expectations up pretty hard with the handy about tropical fruit and Citra hops and whatnot. Its not quite elite 1st tier black ale but I'm comfortable calling it a good 2nd tier option. Thanks to leftpaw for bringing it out that Christmas.
May 22, 2020
 
Rated: 3.92 by JakerLou from New Hampshire

May 08, 2020
 
Rated: 3.9 by Hefsbeercaps from Ohio

Feb 17, 2020
Photo of nicholas2121
Reviewed by nicholas2121 from Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Black Rajah brewed by ,The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works with an ABV of 6.80% This American Black Ale Pours out of a 12oz glass bottle into a pint beer glass. The color of this brew is a dark brown color with a light brown head. This brew has the look of black coffee, not saying that is a bad thing. The smell is Rich with roasted goodness an hops. You pick up a nice amount of roasted grains and malts in the smell of this brew as well. So far Black Rajah is a nice inviting brew. Now for the taste, it is Bold with roasted flavors. Coffee notes are present in the taste as well. There is a lot going on in this brew. I can't get over how smooth this brew goes down. It is really hard to pick up on the 6.80% ABV in this brew, it is just that smooth. The body of Black Rajah is a medium to heavy, but not to heavy. There is nothing overpowering about this brew, it has a super nice balance to it. The mouth feel is Bold, Rich, Roasted, Clean, Smooth, and Refreshing. Overall I am going to give Black Rajah a 4.25 out of 5. I would definitely look this brew up again givin the opportunity too. The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works, did a super nice job with this American Black Ale.
Aug 10, 2019
Photo of beergoot
Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado

3.87/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Midnight black body topped with a lush and creamy head. The smell exudes soft notes of cocoa and hop spiciness. The taste delivers muted notes of cocoa and milk chocolate with hints of grain char; spicy, earthy hop bitterness. The body feels heavy, smooth and velvety; semi-sweet feel overall but with an edge of dryness.

This beer brings some fine roasted grain and spicy hop character to your glass. Balanced with a flavorful punch.
Jun 16, 2019
Photo of jkblr
Reviewed by jkblr from Indiana

4.38/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12oz bottled 3/11/19 (3 months ago) poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass at fridge temp 6.8% ABV 70 IBU. The beer pours nearly black in color with almost no light penetration and light brown head. The head recedes slowly to a cap and leaves plenty of lacing. The aroma is old school pine and citrus. The taste is roast malt, pine, caramel, cocoa and grapefruit all mixed together with medium to heavy bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, adequately carbonated and dry in the finish. Overall, excellent. If you like black IPAs, this is the best one in (limited) distribution. I would love to have a 3 way tasting with SSR & Dark Penance. Perfect balance of all the components that make the style unique and enjoyable.
Jun 12, 2019
 
Rated: 4.25 by Nurt20 from Illinois

Jan 26, 2019
 
Rated: 3.99 by Kshind59 from Ohio

Sep 01, 2018
 
Rated: 4.21 by JM5671 from Ohio

Jul 15, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by a77cj7 from South Dakota

Apr 09, 2018
 
Rated: 4.5 by cub7 from Ohio

Feb 25, 2018
 
Rated: 4.33 by Bark0707 from Ohio

Feb 24, 2018
 
Rated: 4.02 by MeIquiades from Illinois

Feb 14, 2018
 
Rated: 4.27 by Marzen_Fan from Ohio

Feb 08, 2018
 
Rated: 4.1 by JCaweinstein from Ohio

Jan 08, 2018
 
Rated: 5 by SerMosh from Ohio

Dec 30, 2017
Black Rajah from The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 425 ratings