Judge's Review: 92 Rating - Dubhe Imperial Black IPA by Uinta Brewing

Dubhe Imperial Black IPA by Uinta Brewing was judged as a Specialty IPA as a hybrid of a Double IPA and a Black IPA (BJCP Style 21B).

This enigmatic beer pushes the boundaries of hop aroma, hop flavors, alcohol, and mouthfeel, all while keeping the various elements complementary. 

It pours a dark brown, not as black as an Imperial Stout, with a cappuccino-like froth that dispersed slowly. One is immediately struck by aromatic notes of licorice, hazelnut, toast, pine-hop dank, and citrus. As the sample warmed, a tone of alcohol wafted free.

The flavors were a robust barrage of herbal and pine hops, dark chocolate and vanilla. Hop bitterness was quite extreme, with the bitterness providing a longing dryness in the back of my tongue. Its finish also delivered a creamy mouthfeel, quite full for the style, but not distracting. 

The heaviness of the alcohol was discernable, and combined with its mouthfeel, made this a sipping IPA to be luxuriated over.