When I poured this just now, as black as molasses, I thought... "I hope this isn't going to be sweet". It wasn't. It's a black IPA... and good and bitter. On the label it asks: "Controversial? A contradiction in terms? Is there such a thing as a black India Pale Ale?" I guess it's the roasted malt, but this was nothing like I expected; a good one for supping slowly.