Uinta Dubhe Imperial Black IPA
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Tasting Notes
Roasted malt and dark chocolate lead on the nose alongside piney, resinous hop aromatics that keep things from going fully stout-like. On the palate, bitter espresso and dark fruit mingle with a substantial hop bitterness that's assertive without being overwhelming. The body is full and chewy given the 9.2% ABV, which is notably high even for the style, lending a warmth to the mid-palate. The finish is long and drying, with roast and resin lingering in equal measure.
About the Brewery
Uinta Brewing is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has been operating since 1993, making it one of the longer-established craft breweries in the Mountain West. They're known for a broad lineup that spans approachable session beers to bigger, more ambitious offerings, and they've maintained a notable commitment to sustainability, including wind-powered operations. Their Dubhe Imperial Black IPA is one of their flagship higher-gravity beers and reflects the brewery's willingness to work at the bolder end of the spectrum.
Food Pairings
Slow-braised beef short ribs work well here because the roasty bitterness cuts through the richness of the fat while the beer's dark malt mirrors the fond in the braise. A sharp aged cheddar or a smoked gouda rewards the beer's roast and resin character with complementary depth. Dark chocolate desserts — a brownie or a bittersweet tart — echo the cocoa tones without fighting the hops. Hearty mushroom dishes, like a portobello burger or a wild mushroom risotto, match the umami weight and let the pine-forward hops provide contrast.
Style Guide
American Black Ale, sometimes called Cascadian Dark Ale, combines the roasted malt character of a porter or stout with the aggressive hop profile — particularly citrus and pine — of an American IPA. The style originated in the Pacific Northwest in the mid-2000s and gained wider recognition as brewers pushed back against the idea that dark color had to mean low bitterness. What separates it from a stout is that the hop bitterness is front and center rather than subordinate to the malt, and what separates it from a standard IPA is the roast backbone that adds dark fruit, chocolate, and coffee notes beneath the hops.