What's On Tap This Week: Boulevard Brewing Company' Grainstorm Black Rye IPA

By the Beer Professor JW Faulkner @EngProfJW
One of my favorite aspects of the craft beer industry is that it never stagnates. There are always new beers to try and breweries are eager to keep drinkers looking for new beers. The style of this weekend’s brew–a black rye Indian Pale Ale–was a new one. It did not disappoint. This week, Boulevard Brewing Company’s Grainstorm, Black Rye IPA is What’s on Tap!
With so much emphasis placed on the coasts (aside from Michigan), it is easy to forget that Midwesterners love their beer too. Since its opening in 1989 Boulevard Brewing Company has grown into the 12th largest craft brewery in the US and sold over 180,000 barrels this past year. While their year-round offerings are all drinkable, I love the creativity in this brewery’s “Smokestack Series.”
Though Grainstorm is primarily available within the winter months I love the flavor mixture. While many Black IPAs sport a roasted flavor profile, Grainstorm does not; instead it leans heavily on the traditional IPA characteristics: the combination of hops, earthy, and citrus combination. Yes, on the backend of each sip there is a subtle hint of roasted malts and, of course, rye but these flavors are very much secondary.
While black in color, what sets Grainstorm apart from other Black IPAs is its fruit flavors, making it a great brew for winter or spring. The citrus and fruit flavors make me want to fire up the grill and the malt and medium body scream this beer needs to be drank while eating some red meat! This week I am enjoying the Grainstorm with a slow cooked beef brisket; in fact I marinated the beef in some Grainstorm before cooking – beer not just for drinking!
Cheers!
Beer Stats

Style: Black Rye IPA 


Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 7.7%

Original Gravity (Plato): 17

Bitterness (IBUs): 65

Color (EBC): 94

Color: Deep Black

Hops: Simcoe, Bravo, Amarillo, Citra

Malts: pale malt, malted rye, roasted wheat