Surly Blakkr

Surly is one of the preeminent brewers in the Minnesota area and I try to drink their beer whenever I get a chance. The Blakkr is a collaboration between Surly, Three Floyds, and Real Ale. It's an Imperial Black IPA. You get some pineapple in the smell...this is one of the best smelling beer's I've ever had. It just smells wonderfully drinkable. The taste does not disappoint either. This is a beer that defines the word beer. Supposedly tastes of black licorice but I'm not sure I noticed that much. Instead I tasted a lot of rye and hops. This beer is about as black as a beer can get so it's aptly named. I'll drink more and I'll drink more soon.

Lake Superior Deep Water IPA

Another Duluth, Minnesota brewery brewing beer, Lake Superior Brewing makes some really good beer.  This is a black IPA from them so its got the IPA flavors mixed with some maltyness. I think the perfect word to describe this beer is like. I don't love it, I don't hate it, I just like it. It's very drinkable, the maltyness goes well with the citrus of the IPA. It's a very light but dark beer so it makes a good beer for someone wanting some of that roasted dark beer flavor without that roasted dark beer feeling. I actually don't know the ABV on this one so I can't put it on the Drinkenscale but I can say there is little to no alcohol flavor. Good beer. I wish I had more to say about it but I don't. It's a good beer.