-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Black Rajah
The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
- From:
- The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
- Ohio, United States
- Style:
- Black IPA
Ranked #13 - ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #4,444 - Avg:
- 4.15 | pDev: 8.43%
- Reviews:
- 64
- Ratings:
- 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 dbc5:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by KT3418 from Colorado
4/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2022Reviewed 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
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, 2020Ah 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.
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
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, 2019Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado
3.87/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2019This beer brings some fine roasted grain and spicy hop character to your glass. Balanced with a flavorful punch.
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
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
Black Rajah from The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
Beer rating:
92 out of
100 with
425 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!