Stepping Stone Black Lotus Black IPA Danish Beer 440 ml 6.6%

There's a quiet defiance to a beer that insists on being both dark and light at once. Black Lotus is Stepping Stone's take on that balancing act between roasted malt and fresh, tropical hops.

Expert description of Stepping Stone Black Lotus Black IPA

Black Lotus is a Danish Black IPA at 6.6% from Stepping Stone Brewing Company - the brewery's first attempt at this demanding style. Here, the roasted, dark malt character of a classic stout meets the fresh, citrus and passion fruit-driven hop profile of a modern IPA, resulting in a beer that's both deep and surprisingly light on the palate.

Stepping Stone is a young brewery from Hørning near Aarhus, founded by Daniel True, Runee Stusgaard and Simon Grøndahl Lyngholm Jakobsen. The brewery was named Danish Brewery of the Year 2024, and behind the experimental recipes lies a social project that gives refugees and people without a foothold in the job market a place in production.

Tasting Notes

Aroma

Roasted notes of coffee and dark chocolate arrive first, quickly followed by fresh, tropical aromas reminiscent of passion fruit and citrus peel.

Taste

Medium-bodied with distinct roasted malt, a touch of liquorice and cocoa, and a hop character that leans toward citrus and tropical fruit.

Finish

Dry and pleasantly bitter, with a clean finish that fades quickly, leaving only an echo of roasted malt.

Specifications

Name: Black Lotus
Brewery: Stepping Stone Brewing Company
Country/Region: Denmark
Beer style: Black India Pale Ale
ABV: 6.6%
Size: 440 ML
Malt: Barley malt and wheat malt
Ingredients: Barley malt, wheat malt, hops, yeast, water
Serving suggestion: 6-10°C in a wide beer glass or tulip glass

Flavour Profile

Roasted · Hoppy · Fruity · Creamy

Did You Know?

Black IPA is a relatively young style that really took off in the US during the 2010s, when brewers began hiding an IPA's fresh hop character behind a stout's dark, roasted malt. Black Lotus is Stepping Stone's first attempt at this hybrid style.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Stepping Stone Black Lotus Black IPA

Is Stepping Stone Black Lotus worth the money?

Yes, if you love beer with character. Black Lotus combines two demanding styles in one bottle, and as the brewery's first Black IPA, it's a great example of Stepping Stone's experimental approach - a brewery named Danish Brewery of the Year in 2024.

What does a Black IPA taste like?

A Black IPA tastes like the meeting point of a stout and an IPA: roasted malt, coffee and dark chocolate underneath, with a fresh, citrus and fruit-driven hop bitterness on top. Black Lotus delivers exactly that combination, with a dry, bitter finish.

What food pairs well with Stepping Stone Black Lotus?

Black Lotus works well with grilled meat and BBQ, spicy dishes and hard cheeses. Its roasted malt character also pairs nicely with a piece of dark chocolate for dessert.

What temperature should Black Lotus be served at?

Serve it at 6-10°C in a beer glass. Too cold and the roasted coffee and chocolate notes get muted, while a slightly higher temperature brings out more of the tropical hop character.

What kind of brewery is Stepping Stone Brewing Company?

Stepping Stone is a young brewery from Hørning near Aarhus, named Danish Brewery of the Year 2024. The brewery is known for its experimental recipes and for giving refugees and people on the margins of the job market a place in production.

Can Black Lotus be stored for a long time?

Like most heavily hopped craft beers, Black Lotus tastes best fresh, within the first year after bottling, while the tropical hop aromas are still intact. Store it cool and dark.