Blackwater Floridian Dark Ale is an American-style Black Ale at the low end of the IPA alcohol range (6.4% ABV), with an abundance of hop flavor and aroma. It represents what we consider to be an improvement on what are being called Black IPAs, or Cascadian Dark Ales, deriving its “darkness” from chocolate wheat malt rather than the bitter roasted barley used in most examples of this new style. The name is derived from Florida’s “Blackwater” rivers, which are dark in tannins from the native oak trees.

Blackwater was created through a collaboration between Head Brewer Craig Birkmaier and Eric Luman, Head Brewer at Jacksonville’s Green Room brewery. It was judged the Best Beer in Florida at the 2011 Best Florida Beer Competition.