Sunday Night Suds - Uinta Dubhe Imperial Black IPA

This week's Sunday Night Suds looks at Uinta's Dubhe Imperial Black IPA.

Although many Uinta brews do not find their way to the East Coast, the Uinta Dubhe Imperial Black IPA seems to be one of the more easier beers to find in the NY Metro area. I have received reports of Dubhe sightings in Queens, Long Island and would surmise that it is probably in Brooklyn beer stores as well.

The Dubhe Imperial Black IPA is on the extreme end of the alcohol content scale (especially for a 12 oz bottle) as it is 9.2 % abv. The experts at Beer Advocate classify the Uinta Dubhe Imperial Black IPA as an American Black Ale with an average abv range of 5.0 - 10%. They note that the Black IPA can also be called Cascadian Dark Ale, but I do not recall ever seeing a beer which touts itself under that style. Regardless of the name of the category, the Black  IPA/American Black Ale

range from dark brown to pitch black and showcase malty and light to moderate roasty notes and are often quite hoppy generally with the use of American hops. Alcohol can range from average to high depending on if the brewery is going for a "dobule / imperial" version.

I was actually surprised to read that the Uinta website identifies the source of the Dubhe name as based on Utah's Centernnial Star which is called "Dubhe." I guess I was also surprised to learn that a state can have a star, but they do things differently in Utah. The Uinta website explains the source for the beer since it was

[n]amed Utah's Centennial Star in 1996, Dubhe (pronounced Doo-bee) illuminates the front of the big dipper from 124 light years away. Dubhe, also known as Alpha Ursae Majoris, is a red giant that appears orange in color and has a mass 4x that of the sun

It was my sinking suspicion that the name of the beer was derived from the "Hemp Seed" which is purportedly used in the brew process.

The Dubhe is full of rich chocolate malts, but the hop is more subdued than I would have expected. The Alstrom Bros have given this beer a 4.22 (out of 5) and an overall ranking of 94, but I would not have been as generous. I am glad that I only purchased two bottles of this "oily, sticky hemp-seed infused beer" as it is just not very pleasant to drink.

 

Uinta Dubhe Imperial Black IPA is certified kosher by the Orthodox Union and bears an OU on the label. For the experts' take on the Uinta Dubhe Imperial Black IPA lease click here http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1416/67046.

As always, please remember to drink responsibly and to never waste good beer unless there is no designated driver. If you've tried this beer or any others which have been reviewed on the kosher beers site, please feel free to post your comments (anonymous comments are acceptable).

 

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