Top 100 Beers of 2021

#12

96
Jet Black Scream
Gnarly Barley Brewing Co.

View Beer
Read Review

Head Brewer Joey Charpentier Talks Jet Black Scream

Who was responsible for this beer’s recipe?
This one was mine.

What sets this beer apart from other examples within the style?
I would say it’s the controlled use of roasted malt in this brew. It can be so easy to go overboard with that and cover up the hop character too much, but our brewing team managed to keep an elegant balance in this hoppy yet malty dark IPA.

What makes this beer truly World Class?
It’s definitely the balance. This style is so hard to nail down. If there’s either too much roast or too much hop character, it’s no longer the correct style.

What is your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, mouthfeel, etc.)?
The perfect blend of roast and pine notes.

How popular is this beer among your faithful fans?
Extremely. We had a great response to this release. People keep asking for another batch all the time, and we can’t wait to brew one.

Where does this beer’s name come from?
This beer’s name is inspired by a song by sludge metal band Acid Bath. Metal. Beer. Screaming into the void. Seemed a fitting name for this brew.

Is this your “desert island beer?”
I think we nailed this one so I wouldn’t mind having a lifetime supply of this to drink.

Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Roasty, piney perfection.

Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
No real stories come to mind, but we did have a great time brewing this beer with the South Louisiana Craft Beer Club!

Judge’s Second Opinion

Gnarly Barley Brewing Co.’s stated focus, or what I interpret as their mission, is to provide a truly original experience by blurring the lines of traditional beer styles. This is a bold statement and yet a noble undertaking, particularly given the explosion of craft beer. Yet, the husband-and-wife team of Zac and Cari Caramonta, along with their ever-expanding team in Hammond is doing just what they said they would. I had the distinct pleasure of discovering Gnarly Barley earlier this year when I received a box containing Jet Black Scream, among other tasty libations (you can read about one of those later).

Jet Black Scream is Gnarly Barley’s signature black IPA, offered to their loyal patrons as a limited release. While black IPAs lack the mainstream attention that other IPA variants enjoy, do not overlook this beautifully crafted beer. And, black IPA, by its very existence as a style, albeit a specialty style, is a mashup of two popular and long-standing styles, IPA and stout. Gnarly Barley certainly crafted a beverage that takes the best of both and combines them to make an even better whole, where one plus one does indeed equal three. The rich, dark malt lends chocolate, nuttiness and roast while allowing the fresh hops to provide bitterness among assertive West Coast hops. We are talking Amarillo, Centennial and Citra hops here – hops that embody bold West Coast IPAs while Crystal 45 and 60 malts provide rich caramel notes, and the Midnight Wheat malt addition offers roast and chocolate notes sans bitterness, allowing the hops to provide that instead.

Judging solely on my experience with Jet Black Scream, I can say emphatically that this beer embodies Zac and Cari’s mission of providing a truly original experience by blurring the lines of traditional beer styles. I would be remiss if I did not also offer encouragement for this beer’s return, and when it does return, to encourage experimentation with food pairings. Having grown up a couple of hours from New Orleans, I know the cuisine of Southeastern Louisiana is ripe for pairing with this beer. This beer is bold and assertive enough to stand up to a spicy jambalaya or quench your thirst at a low country crawfish boil. – Brad Darnell