Beer of the Week: Black IPA

From the Beer Writer: There was a time when I had zero use for non-alcoholic beverages of any type. To be honest, there’s not much of a call for them in my everyday life. I have always been one to balance out indulgences with stringency from a food-and-beverage perspective. That said, I’ve enjoyed more non-alcoholic beer in the past few years than I have in the four decades that preceded them. That’s because the craft N/A beer market has changed the game. No singular company has been a bigger disrupter than Athletic Brewing. That operation came on strong, opening in Connecticut in 2018 and growing such a large fan base that, by 2020, ownership was hunting for a West Coast brewery so it could go bi-coastal. They went on to take over Ballast Point Brewing’s former sour-beer and barrel-aging facility on Trade Street. After doing so, they brought on established San Diego brewers who have gone on to craft small-batch beers covering a wealth of worldly styles. It’s that devotion to presenting dozens of different types of beer sans alcohol that has piqued my interest in their beer and garnered my respect. Take, for instance, this week’s featured beer, Athletic Black IPA. Pouring onyx with a slightly off-white head, it looks the part, and thanks to incorporation of quality hops, it contains all the pine and citrus-rind interplay with roasty, coffee-like character from dark specialty malts that one wants in a black IPA. Add in enhanced drinkability–it goes down easy–and you have an abundantly flavorful beer (and a great food go-with) that can be quaffed at any time in just about any situation. N/A has come a long way and the journey’s just begun!

From the Brewer: “Athletic Brewing’s Black IPA is balanced and flavorful. It won’t overwhelm your palate with hoppy or roasty notes, but instead allow both characteristics to shine through equally. We brew this black IPA with a base of Maris Otter malt, and then load it up with Centennial and Cascade hops that contribute pine, floral and citrus aromas. The contrast of roasted malt character against the floral and citrusy hops works well to bring balance to this beer. I think this complex and full-bodied brew makes for perfect year-round drinking, but it tastes even better on a dark winter night. We hope you enjoy!”—Rob Nilan, Lead Brewer, Athletic Brewing