Black IPA recipe

A Black IPA recipe is all about contrast. You want the bold hop character of an IPA, layered over a dark malt base without tipping into harsh roast. Get it right, and you create a beer that looks like a stout but drinks like a hop-forward ale. The key lies in balance – keeping the malt profile smooth and restrained, while allowing citrus, pine, or tropical hop notes to shine.


Black IPA

In this recipe, careful malt selection delivers colour and a subtle hint of roast, without overwhelming the palate. A clean fermentation profile keeps the finish crisp, while a firm bitterness adds structure. The result is a Black IPA – also known as Cascadian Dark Ale – that feels modern, drinkable, and expressive. Perfect for brewers who want depth without sacrificing freshness.


Grain bill

VarietyQuantityQuantityColour EBCColour ºLRatio
Swaen© Ale24 kg53 lb6 – 93 – 469%
Swaen© Vienna5 kg11 lb2 – 39 – 1213%
Gold Swaen© Munich Dark1 kg2.2 lb130 – 16050 – 603%
Black Swaen© Chocolate Wheat2 kg4.4 lb800 – 1000300 – 3756%
Flaked Oat3 kg6.6 lb9%

Hops

VarietyQuantityQuantityDuration
Citra 400 g14.1 oz60 min.
Cascade120 g4.2 oz60 min.
El Dorado365 g12.9 oz60 min.

Yeast

Variety
Fermentis US-05
California Ale Yeast WLP001

Brewing process

Mashing

  • Mashing 1: 63°C (145°F) 40 minutes.
  • Mashing 2: 71°C (160°F) 20 minutes.
  • Mash out: 78°C (172°F) 10 minutes.

Boiling

  • Boil for 60 minutes.

Fermentation

  • Ferment at ~19 – 22°C (66 – 72°F) for 10 – 14 days.

Lagering

  • Remove the yeast, mature during at least 2 weeks at 15 – 20°C (59 – 68°F).

Results

Batch size100 L / 26 gallon
Original gravity1070
Colour EBC63
Colour Lovibond24
IBU51
ABV %7.2