Cascadian Dark Ale specs

[catdaddy66]

I have heard and read about the dark American style ale that is getting very popular called Cascadian Dark Ale. It has been associated with the west coast (Oregon, Washington, British Columbia) northern Rockies. It is an intriguing creature that I'm wanting to try.

My question is this... Is the CDA more of a dark version of an APA or IPA? Can it be either/or? I am trying something new but my grains and fermentables won't get me much higher than an OG of 1.055. My hops can run low to high IBU's but I think that OG is more to an APA style.

Has anyone brewed a CDA? What is the general idea of one? Any knowledge would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

 

[inhousebrew]

There is endless debate around this topic but for me it's just a IPA that's black. I guess it could be a APA that's black too, and one of the best beers I made was just that. I like to use Breiss Midnight Wheat or Carafa III to darken it because neither of those impart much flavor in the beer, leaving it more like a IPA that happens to be black rather than a roasty IPA you might get from other dark grains.

Again, some people like some roasty flavor in there, I guess it's a matter of opinion. Brew a beer you like, forget the rest.

 

[TheMilkMan]

*IN MY EXPERIENCE*

Beers that label themselves CDA are basically hopped up porters using american ale yeasts.

The black IPAs I have had and "liked" are normal IPAs with small amounts of dark malts for slight flavoring and lots of color.

I kind of feel the only reason the black IPA category exists is because there is a color limit on a normal IPA, according the bjcp.

I've had both styles that are very good. I think it is a category that is trying to figure out its identity.

 

[heckler73]

my buddy makes a killer one.

https://www.brewtoad.com/recipes/cascadian-dark-ale-ii

 

[chickypad]

My understanding is that black IPA and CDA are the same style, it's just that "black india pale ale" is an oxymoron. I like India Black Ale myself.

http://www.craftbeer.com/craft-beer-muses/india-black-ale-a-rose-by-any-other-name
http://byo.com/hops/item/2013-birth-of-a-new-style-cascadian-dark-ale

 

[maffew222]

Personally, this is a good primer (IMO)

My favorite Black IPAs are ones that have LOTS of dank, aggressive hops aroma (think CTZ, amarillo, cascade) and just a little bit of roast. As far as CDA goes, I find them a little roastier, a little bit less aggressive hop aroma. Somewhere between black IPA and American Stout.

And as far as the BJCP comment goes, the new (already outdated but haven't yet been introduced) "2014 guidelines" introduce a larger "specialty IPA" category including Black IPA.

And let's not forget: The BJCP guidelines are really only built to allow one homebrew to be compared to another. It doesn't mean your beer won't taste good and it has no bearing on sales of commercial beers. (GABF judging, etc aside)

BREW THAT AWESOME Black IPA!