Bloomington Sledgehammer IPA

Brewed by Bloomington Brewing Co.
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Bloomington, Indiana USA

I had this off the beer engine yesterday at Lennie’s. Its appearance was hazy and cloudy, like a very thick cider that was darker on top than it was in the bottom of the glass. Hand carbonated, the head was thick, creamy, and persistent. Aroma was pretty big, with some citrusness but not a lot of sweetness. Flavor was perhaps more floral than citrus, and was fairly heavy. Not an extremely drinkable IPA, but it definitely scratched my hop itch. Mouthfeel was smooth but a bit thin. Quite nice, and recommended.

On tap at the brew pub. One of the best beers I’ve had from them, so I had to rate it (though this is on memory, I was just there 10 minutes ago). Standard reddish orangy amber. Good clarity, with a relatively dense white head. The hops are pretty big, but not overpowering. A bit of a resinous citrusy bite over a substantial bit of malt. The body was about average for a CO2 draught beer. Not watery, not overly fizzy. The flavor was again big with the floral and perhaps even some C letter hops. In general, more floral and spicy than piney. But big hops, which completemented the malt body well. A clean finish and no major flaws. I could drink a couple of these at a time, in fact, I did.

Draught at the brewpub. Opaque cloudy orange, veering over to brown, with a short white lacing head. Lots of lace. Hoppy aroma is much more English than it is American (do get some Cascade, though). Pine and light citrus, bg grapefruit. Body is thinnish, approaching medium. Taste is bitter and filled with tasty resin, not overpoweringly so on either account, but without any malt to balance. Still, a good quencher!

Lightly hazed copper body with off-white head. Aroma is medium sweet, grapefruit. Taste is medium sweet, grapefruit, maple/caramel, nice bite. Medium body, some resin. Not a regular of theirs, but the highlight of my visit to the brewpub.