Black IPA
Miner Brewing Company

this is a nice example of the style, and one of the first beers i have had from these folks in awhile. seems to be a little less common here in rapid city than some of the other in state brewers, but i found this in tap at my hotel bar. its not the prettiest beer, a little murky, more brown than black, and lacking much head. it smells great though, juicy piney hops, fresh and heavy handed. the dark malt has chocolate notes as well as a slight smoke to it, not quite as dark as others, lacking the roasty bitterness of unmalted barley. it tastes distinct too, i get a little steamed vegetable character from the hops, less juicy and vibrant than they smelled, coming in on the back end with appropriate bitterness and more of that pine thing. the grain is a little sweet in the middle, and the alcohol is just a little exposed on the back end. it could definitely stand more carbonation, it drinks thick and heavy without it. that said though, i kind of like the weirdness and sluggishness of this beer in the context of being in a late season storm up in hill country. its somewhat comforting in that setting. not the best beer i have had from miner, but an interesting and quite satisfying brew nevertheless.