There has, indeed, been a few Black IPA's in the past few years, but many west coast brewers are trying to coin the less oxymoronic "Cascadian Dark Ale" that pays tribute to the style's origin.

Besides drinking whatever we have home brewed lately, I love the resurgence of sour beers in the US. Russian River has a few wonderful examples, and Goose Island has done some nice Belgian themed sours.

Although the style has fallen out of favor for the bigger-bolder stouts and Russian-Imperial stouts, my favorite is a good Porter. It can be drank in almost all weathers, and is more subtle than it's darker counterpart. Revolution in Chicago makes one of the best with their Eugene Porter.

And since there are so many antihopites here, I'll profess my love for the IPA - though I prefer a more subdued, and nuanced version, I can still enjoy the face-melting hop bombs. Bells' Two Hearted and Three Floyds' Zombie Dust are my usual.