Black IPA Category

[olafphysics]

I will be entering my first homebrew competition and the beer that I want to enter is a Black IPA (or American Style India Black Ale). I am trying to decide on the best category to enter it in the BJCP categories. I am looking at 13E American Stout. My brew is not overly hopy but much more than I would consider for an American Stout.

Any Suggestions?

[Deathrider]

It would go in Category 23.....Specialty Beer.

[Chupa LaHomebrew]

You are on the right track, you really should go by taste, not what you brewed it as. You could always try both, stout and specialty as a black IPA. Have an experienced brewer/judge try it, without you telling them what it is, and see what their impression is.

[Mylo]

I will be entering my first homebrew competition and the beer that I want to enter is a Black IPA (or American Style India Black Ale). I am trying to decide on the best category to enter it in the BJCP categories. I am looking at 13E American Stout. My brew is not overly hopy but much more than I would consider for an American Stout.

Any Suggestions?

If there are any late hop character that is citrusy or piney (as any IPA should be) - then it ain't going to work in the American Stout category.

I second the 23A specialty category.


Mylo

[TastyMcD]

.....My brew is not overly hopy....

Since you said it's not too hoppy, maybe you should put in category 23 as a Black APA.

Tasty

[SamGamgee]

If it's strong on the roasted malt flavors then is really IS an American stout and not a black IPA. If the roast is very mild to almost undetectable, then it is not a stout and should go into 23 as a black IPA. Every judge knows what that is by now... well, sadly not really.

[JohnF]

I will be entering my first homebrew competition and the beer that I want to enter is a Black IPA (or American Style India Black Ale). I am trying to decide on the best category to enter it in the BJCP categories. I am looking at 13E American Stout. My brew is not overly hopy but much more than I would consider for an American Stout.

Any Suggestions?

If there are any late hop character that is citrusy or piney (as any IPA should be) - then it ain't going to work in the American Stout category.

I second the 23A specialty category.


Mylo

It should work. The BJCP guidelines say hop aroma is very low to medium often of the citrusy/resiny american variety and hop flavor is low to high again often american varieties.

Both Shakespeare Stout and Sierra Nevada Stout, each having substantial late hop additions of cascade, are classic examples.

Are they as hoppy as IPAs on balance? Certainly not but if you try to definite American Stout as having no american hop character how is it distinct from export style stouts?