Have I mentioned before how much I like Dark India Pale Ales? Well if you weren't around when I did, here goes: I like dark IPAs. There's not really all that much too them, of course: just take your average IPA, throw in some dark malts (chocolate or black will do nicely) and wham! Dark IPA. That said, you just don't see a lot of them these days, though it seems I was just writing about Victory Yakima Twilight, a similar beer, not that long ago. And, of course, Barell House Boss Cox Double Dark IPA is one of my favorite examples of this emerging sub-style, too.

There's always room for one more, however. Enter Terrapin Side Project Volume 10 Capt'n Krunkles Black India Pale Ale (phew, I need a drink after a name like that), the latest entry in Athens, Georgia's Terrapin Brewery's Side Project Series. Cap'n Krunkles has the honor of being volume ten in this illustrious series of one-off brews, though we would not mind seeing it become a permanent beer in the Terrapin lineup. There's precedent for that, of course, as a few of the selections have gone on to seasonal or year-round status.

Here's what the brewery says about this one:

Volume 10 in the Terrapin Side Project Series pays tribute to the most feared captain on the high seas…Capt’n Krunkles!

Made with all the hops that make an IPA a big bitter blaster and all the color that makes a stout look like the La Brea tar pits, Capt’n Krunkles is my version of a Black IPA.

OG: 17.3 FG: 3.5 ABV: 7.5% IBU: 90

HOPS: Warrior, Columbus, Nugget, Centennial, Simcoe, Ahtanum (dry hop) MALTS: 2-Row Pale, Dark Munich, Crystal 24, DH Carafa III

Terrapin Side Project Volume 10 Capt'n Krunkles Black India Pale Ale pours to a dark brownish black color with a very thick and creamy tan colored head formation and an appetizing molasses and pine nose. A thick layer of Brussels lace clings to the sides of my glass as the liquid descends. The body is a lot like your average IPA, complete with caramel malt. It's just lighter than usual, and accented wonderfully with roasty, chocolaty dark malts that add a touch of spicy licorice and black coffee.

This is an IPA, though, and so one would expect hops. They emerge and intensify in the finish, leaving a resiny aroma and long lingering dry bitter punctuation.  Bottom line, I love the way the bitter hops and soft, roasty malts accent each other. There's more of IPA than porter to this one, as well there should be.

Still about $6.99 for a 22-ounce bottle. Worth checking out, if you can find it.



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