Blacksmith India Black Ale
Village Brewery
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- American Black Ale
Ranked #520 - ABV:
- 5.4%
- Score:
- 82
Ranked #41,491 - Avg:
- 3.55 | pDev: 12.39%
- Reviews:
- 13
- Ratings:
- From:
- Village Brewery
- Alberta, Canada
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 0
- Gots
- 12
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good
Notes:
Reviews: 13
| Ratings: 48
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3.78/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The color on this is fantastic. Deep brown, almost black.
There are roasted grain notes but very little in the way of hop aroma.
I find it a bit watery (thin on body) but I have no complaints about the bitterness level of the hops that I can now taste.
Quite drinkable, and light enough for the summer months as well.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The color on this is fantastic. Deep brown, almost black.
There are roasted grain notes but very little in the way of hop aroma.
I find it a bit watery (thin on body) but I have no complaints about the bitterness level of the hops that I can now taste.
Quite drinkable, and light enough for the summer months as well.
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3.99/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Appearance: Ruby edging on black. Decent one finger head that dissipates quickly.
Smell: Burnt, with coffee and botanicals as well.
Taste: Prominent burnt malty taste, with coffee and botanicals following. Dry and very bitter, but bitterness quickly subsides after the finish. Mouthfeel is moderately full-bodied. Not quite full-bodied but close.
Drinkable, but still interesting. A nice, fairly even mix between stout and IPA.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Appearance: Ruby edging on black. Decent one finger head that dissipates quickly.
Smell: Burnt, with coffee and botanicals as well.
Taste: Prominent burnt malty taste, with coffee and botanicals following. Dry and very bitter, but bitterness quickly subsides after the finish. Mouthfeel is moderately full-bodied. Not quite full-bodied but close.
Drinkable, but still interesting. A nice, fairly even mix between stout and IPA.
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2.9/5 rDev -18.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Pours a one finger off white color head, lots of bubbles, disappear quickly. Bit of lacing. Dark cola body with a hint of ruby.
Bit of espresso, dark chocolate, spicy notes, slight citrusy notes, milk chocolate in the aroma.
Big burnt malty notes, slight caramel, chocolate, and some leafy hop flavor on the tongue. Dry bitter aftertaste.
Medium body, decent carbonation.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Pours a one finger off white color head, lots of bubbles, disappear quickly. Bit of lacing. Dark cola body with a hint of ruby.
Bit of espresso, dark chocolate, spicy notes, slight citrusy notes, milk chocolate in the aroma.
Big burnt malty notes, slight caramel, chocolate, and some leafy hop flavor on the tongue. Dry bitter aftertaste.
Medium body, decent carbonation.
374 characters
2.81/5 rDev -20.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 3
355 ml brown bottle with pry off cap poured in a dimpled mug. Purchased at Zyn in Calgary.
Dark brown, cola-like in appearance. Dark beige head is 3/4 inch on the pour and recedes to a thin ring around the edge with a little lacing here and there.
Fairly weak nose. A little malt, a little burnt, a little coffee. Pretty faint though.
Malty throughout. A little nutty. Reminds me more of a brown ale or a porter. Hops are almost imperceptible.
Fairly thin mouthfeel. Almost a little watery. Mild little pin pricks of carbonation.
You know, this isn't really all that bad, but it's nowhere near what I expect from a Black IPA. It's more like a porter or brown ale. Pretty mellow and laid back. Not hoppy enough for my liking.
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look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 3
355 ml brown bottle with pry off cap poured in a dimpled mug. Purchased at Zyn in Calgary.
Dark brown, cola-like in appearance. Dark beige head is 3/4 inch on the pour and recedes to a thin ring around the edge with a little lacing here and there.
Fairly weak nose. A little malt, a little burnt, a little coffee. Pretty faint though.
Malty throughout. A little nutty. Reminds me more of a brown ale or a porter. Hops are almost imperceptible.
Fairly thin mouthfeel. Almost a little watery. Mild little pin pricks of carbonation.
You know, this isn't really all that bad, but it's nowhere near what I expect from a Black IPA. It's more like a porter or brown ale. Pretty mellow and laid back. Not hoppy enough for my liking.
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3.62/5 rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A cornerstone of the local Village Brewery along with their blonde ale and witbier offerings (see earlier reviews), this is a dark brownish to black beer with reddish highlights (if anthropomorphized might make for a pretty hot chick) and a little tan-colored head (oh stop it). Aroma is subtle but appropriately roasted with a little sweetness and smoke, mostly roasted barley with some citrus hop character. Palate follows the nose but more robust, mostly fresh acidic coffee, a little dark chocolate, licorice, and leafy citrus lemon-lime hops in the finish, which is dry enough to evoke an Irish stout: Some wood char and herbal bitters chase away any sweetness from the roasted malts. A bit sour perhaps. Village has cultivated a reputation for well-crafted classic beers with no bells and whistles. This beer is devoid of obvious faults, particularly the unpleasant clash of flavors that can happen when dark roasted elements come into contact with citrus bomb American hops. Could Village be more creative? Yes ... I have tasted better examples of the black IPA/dark ale style that were more aggressive but still pleasing to the palate. On the other hand, I like variations on beer styles where the key variables are manipulated without the need for stupid fruit or spice additions that make the originators of the good ol' German purity law turn over in their graves or other ploys. I suspect Village will continue to evolve from a solid base of technical acumen and common sense. For now, this is their best regular offering and would make a solid go-to option for fans of dark malt.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A cornerstone of the local Village Brewery along with their blonde ale and witbier offerings (see earlier reviews), this is a dark brownish to black beer with reddish highlights (if anthropomorphized might make for a pretty hot chick) and a little tan-colored head (oh stop it). Aroma is subtle but appropriately roasted with a little sweetness and smoke, mostly roasted barley with some citrus hop character. Palate follows the nose but more robust, mostly fresh acidic coffee, a little dark chocolate, licorice, and leafy citrus lemon-lime hops in the finish, which is dry enough to evoke an Irish stout: Some wood char and herbal bitters chase away any sweetness from the roasted malts. A bit sour perhaps. Village has cultivated a reputation for well-crafted classic beers with no bells and whistles. This beer is devoid of obvious faults, particularly the unpleasant clash of flavors that can happen when dark roasted elements come into contact with citrus bomb American hops. Could Village be more creative? Yes ... I have tasted better examples of the black IPA/dark ale style that were more aggressive but still pleasing to the palate. On the other hand, I like variations on beer styles where the key variables are manipulated without the need for stupid fruit or spice additions that make the originators of the good ol' German purity law turn over in their graves or other ploys. I suspect Village will continue to evolve from a solid base of technical acumen and common sense. For now, this is their best regular offering and would make a solid go-to option for fans of dark malt.
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3.32/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Pours out a dark black that turns into a translucent garnet cola hue when held to direct light. Tall frothy beige head that settles to a very thin cap.
Dry roasty malt on the nose, along with dry leafy hops.
Roasty malt up front in the mouthfeel as well, but this time it reveals a creamy sweetness, even some licorice root, drying out in the middle with some mild espresso notes, finishing with equally mild leafy, herbal hops. Some grapefruit pith appears in the aftertaste.
On the lighter side of medium-bodied mouthfeel, smooth but watery texture, with moderate carbonation.
Rather mellow for the style, the roast is there but not very full, nor is the hop presence to either balance or overcome it. Reminds me more of a Porter in light of that. Inoffensive, and no serious flaws, just quaint for a Cascadian, or ahem, American Black Ale.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Pours out a dark black that turns into a translucent garnet cola hue when held to direct light. Tall frothy beige head that settles to a very thin cap.
Dry roasty malt on the nose, along with dry leafy hops.
Roasty malt up front in the mouthfeel as well, but this time it reveals a creamy sweetness, even some licorice root, drying out in the middle with some mild espresso notes, finishing with equally mild leafy, herbal hops. Some grapefruit pith appears in the aftertaste.
On the lighter side of medium-bodied mouthfeel, smooth but watery texture, with moderate carbonation.
Rather mellow for the style, the roast is there but not very full, nor is the hop presence to either balance or overcome it. Reminds me more of a Porter in light of that. Inoffensive, and no serious flaws, just quaint for a Cascadian, or ahem, American Black Ale.
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3.61/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This is a pretty darn good brew from Calgary's newest brewery, but with probably it's most seasoned mix of marketing reps, brewers and people backing its launch. Hoping they remain tried and true and hoping they develop some wicked seasonals. This one poured a deep brown with a very nice two finger wide head. Smells of charcoal, caramel and a hint of chocolate. The hop presence isn't necessarily present rigt upfront, but it shows up on the finish of the first swig. It's a tasty treat, but I'd probably identify it as more of a black ale than an "India Black Ale" as it's labelled. There's nothing wrong with making a brew like this and I understand that they're trying to go "slow and steady" at first. Overall, definitely a nice beer to drink at any time of day under any weather conditions.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This is a pretty darn good brew from Calgary's newest brewery, but with probably it's most seasoned mix of marketing reps, brewers and people backing its launch. Hoping they remain tried and true and hoping they develop some wicked seasonals. This one poured a deep brown with a very nice two finger wide head. Smells of charcoal, caramel and a hint of chocolate. The hop presence isn't necessarily present rigt upfront, but it shows up on the finish of the first swig. It's a tasty treat, but I'd probably identify it as more of a black ale than an "India Black Ale" as it's labelled. There's nothing wrong with making a brew like this and I understand that they're trying to go "slow and steady" at first. Overall, definitely a nice beer to drink at any time of day under any weather conditions.
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3.39/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Pint, on tap at The Riverstone Pub in Calgary.
Poured dark, basically black with a solid beige head. Good foam retention and rows of lacing. From across the way, it looked like it could have been a Guinness.
Smell of roasted malt, maybe even a bit smoke or char. Slight leaf or herbal hops.
Flavor has a good malt base to start, hints of cocoa and some coffee. Finishes with the same herbal hops. Not nearly the hoppy bitterness I was expecting from and IPA.
Medium body and mouth feel, smooth carbonation.
Good flavor, well balanced, but kind of pedestrian.
Enjoyed it
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look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Pint, on tap at The Riverstone Pub in Calgary.
Poured dark, basically black with a solid beige head. Good foam retention and rows of lacing. From across the way, it looked like it could have been a Guinness.
Smell of roasted malt, maybe even a bit smoke or char. Slight leaf or herbal hops.
Flavor has a good malt base to start, hints of cocoa and some coffee. Finishes with the same herbal hops. Not nearly the hoppy bitterness I was expecting from and IPA.
Medium body and mouth feel, smooth carbonation.
Good flavor, well balanced, but kind of pedestrian.
Enjoyed it
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3.03/5 rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
341ml bottle poured into pint glass Oct, 8 2012
A looks like cola until I hold it to the light where its almost purple, a thumbs width of foam sits for a few sips leaving some random lace
S smells of faint dark fruit, coco powder and a handful of pennies, quite metallic and some raisin as it warms. Not much for hops and I expect much more considering the style
T much like the smell but with some faint licorice, basic but not offensive but lacking hops for sure, a little char as it warms
M a little thin but enough bubbles to give it some life, not very bitter for a BIPA and a fairly roasty finish
O perhaps as a porter but even then a little weak, not really a BIPA, IBA, Cascadian Dark Ale what ever a dark hopped beer is called this one isn’t it
Although not a bad beer they need to double perhaps triple the hops in this one for it to anywhere near the style their going for.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
341ml bottle poured into pint glass Oct, 8 2012
A looks like cola until I hold it to the light where its almost purple, a thumbs width of foam sits for a few sips leaving some random lace
S smells of faint dark fruit, coco powder and a handful of pennies, quite metallic and some raisin as it warms. Not much for hops and I expect much more considering the style
T much like the smell but with some faint licorice, basic but not offensive but lacking hops for sure, a little char as it warms
M a little thin but enough bubbles to give it some life, not very bitter for a BIPA and a fairly roasty finish
O perhaps as a porter but even then a little weak, not really a BIPA, IBA, Cascadian Dark Ale what ever a dark hopped beer is called this one isn’t it
Although not a bad beer they need to double perhaps triple the hops in this one for it to anywhere near the style their going for.
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3.53/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A - cola black with a tall tan head, nice retention, minimal lacing
S - roasted nuts, mild cocoa, leafy hint
T - roasty malt with cola up front, nuttiness is there but milder than the nose, leafy with just of touch of citrus hops
M - medium and somewhat creamy, just a touch prickly but it mellows to a full and slightly dry finish
O - a nice offering from Calgary's newest brewer, love the choice of style for an initial flagship brew, here's hoping they keep growing
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A - cola black with a tall tan head, nice retention, minimal lacing
S - roasted nuts, mild cocoa, leafy hint
T - roasty malt with cola up front, nuttiness is there but milder than the nose, leafy with just of touch of citrus hops
M - medium and somewhat creamy, just a touch prickly but it mellows to a full and slightly dry finish
O - a nice offering from Calgary's newest brewer, love the choice of style for an initial flagship brew, here's hoping they keep growing
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3.77/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A pint at Craft Beer Market.
This beer appears a dark cola amber colour, and not all that black, particularly in the light of day, with one finger of thin foamy beige head, which settles at due pace, leaving a low berm of lace around the glass.
It smells of roasted malt, mild coffee grounds, an oily nuttiness, and leafy, floral hops. The taste is lightly toasty caramel malt, subtle cafe au lait, a bit of orchard fruit, and decently strong leafy, earthy hops.
The carbonation is a bit tacky, but easily ignored in the long haul, the body a solid medium weight, and smooth with a fruity pedigree. It finishes off-dry, the fruity malt pushing out the weakening hops.
A decent black ale, but unfortunately my palate has been plastered this past week by my Half Pints experience with this particular beer style. So, to be fair, with their different aptitudes and utilities, this is the ABA that I take out on the town, as opposed to the Black Galaxy, who I take home to meet Mom.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A pint at Craft Beer Market.
This beer appears a dark cola amber colour, and not all that black, particularly in the light of day, with one finger of thin foamy beige head, which settles at due pace, leaving a low berm of lace around the glass.
It smells of roasted malt, mild coffee grounds, an oily nuttiness, and leafy, floral hops. The taste is lightly toasty caramel malt, subtle cafe au lait, a bit of orchard fruit, and decently strong leafy, earthy hops.
The carbonation is a bit tacky, but easily ignored in the long haul, the body a solid medium weight, and smooth with a fruity pedigree. It finishes off-dry, the fruity malt pushing out the weakening hops.
A decent black ale, but unfortunately my palate has been plastered this past week by my Half Pints experience with this particular beer style. So, to be fair, with their different aptitudes and utilities, this is the ABA that I take out on the town, as opposed to the Black Galaxy, who I take home to meet Mom.
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2.75/5 rDev -22.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A: Dark brown in color with some red highlights - I'd estimate around 30srm. Thin whisp of head disappears quickly without lacing.
S: Sweetness, medium roasted malts and minerals. A nice aroma but oddly lacking hop character for the style.
T: Sweet, smooth and balanced. A nice beer though it doesn't seem to fit in the style of American black ale / Black IPA. More roasted malts and late hop additions would help.
M: Thin but refreshing, this beer goes down very easily.
O: Oddly named beer considering it's lack of discernible bitterness or hop character - but not bad. Give this new brewery a try.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A: Dark brown in color with some red highlights - I'd estimate around 30srm. Thin whisp of head disappears quickly without lacing.
S: Sweetness, medium roasted malts and minerals. A nice aroma but oddly lacking hop character for the style.
T: Sweet, smooth and balanced. A nice beer though it doesn't seem to fit in the style of American black ale / Black IPA. More roasted malts and late hop additions would help.
M: Thin but refreshing, this beer goes down very easily.
O: Oddly named beer considering it's lack of discernible bitterness or hop character - but not bad. Give this new brewery a try.
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3.97/5 rDev +11.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance- Pours a dark black brown with minimal head. Bubbles are present.
Smell- Roasted notes from malts, barley, and oats. Hint of coffee bean.
Taste- The roasted character of the malts and grains is the predominant flavour. There is a mild bitterness at the end. The taste is not as sweet as the smell.
Mouthfeel- Light to medium bodied with light carbonation. Has a pleasant smoothness.
Overall- A refreshing Black IPA from Village. Seeing as this is my very first offering from them, the flavours blend quite nicely and are nice and mellow. I’m looking forward to seeing what these guys do in the future. Its nice to see a new face to the Calgary craft beer scene. Definitely worth a try.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance- Pours a dark black brown with minimal head. Bubbles are present.
Smell- Roasted notes from malts, barley, and oats. Hint of coffee bean.
Taste- The roasted character of the malts and grains is the predominant flavour. There is a mild bitterness at the end. The taste is not as sweet as the smell.
Mouthfeel- Light to medium bodied with light carbonation. Has a pleasant smoothness.
Overall- A refreshing Black IPA from Village. Seeing as this is my very first offering from them, the flavours blend quite nicely and are nice and mellow. I’m looking forward to seeing what these guys do in the future. Its nice to see a new face to the Calgary craft beer scene. Definitely worth a try.
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Blacksmith India Black Ale from Village Brewery
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
48 ratings
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