Alaskan Double Black IPA

Okay I know, I know Alaska doesn't always make the fanciest, or best tasting brews around. In fact with the mass prevelance of Alaskan Amber out there it almost seems as common place as Coors Light in any NW bar. There are however some shimmering examples that show their proficiency at forging premium brews, their barleywine for example is one of the smoothest around. It is for this reason that I chose a new Alaskan brew for this rant. The Alaskan Double Black IPA, this is the first example of an imperial black IPA I've sampled so far. For a good example of a Black IPA, or Cascadian Ale as it is also known, Deschutes Hop in the Dark, and Cascadian dark from Airways Brewing have all been stellar examples of what I believe this genre should taste like. Both those ales have a dark malt taste, but the same bitter, sharp hoppiness people come to expect from an IPA. With a double black IPA then one would expect an increase in these flavors, something stronger, and a might sweeter perhaps. The smell was sort of the first sign of what was to come when I tried this ale, it had that dark malt smell to it, and suprisingly still kind of yeasty as well, which I normally don't get with any kind of beer in the IPA genre so far that I've sampled. Finally the taste, it is unique, but I'm afraid while trying to hit that delicate balance that makes a dark IPA, Alaska may have floated a little to far towards the dark side. Yup this ale is practically hugging darth vader (a little treat for any Star Wars geeks who may be reading). This ale tastes like a slightly hoppy stout. Which isn't suprising considering the fact that the ale is trying to balance out the right amount of dark malt, with the amount of hops being added for the bittering effect. When one is trying to create something a little stronger, it naturally gets a little sweeter, and that is how this ale kind of became lost in a sea of darkness. If your looking for a smooth example of a stout with some slight hoppiness to it, then this is your beer. The fit and finish is well done, the ale is exceedingly smooth, and always a plus on my account is definitely not overcarbonated. It is a great ale, and I always appreciate when a brewery takes a jab at trying to create a new exteme beverage for us to have a go at. Fit and finish this is a well done ale, but if your looking for a truer example of a dark IPA this isn't your bird (sorry I'm feeling punnish for those who glanced at the Edgar Allen Poe motif of the bottle). It's definitely worth a try, and who knows a couple different batches and Alaska may really be on to something, but for now I'd have to say back to the drawing board.