Epic Spiral Jetty IPA

Brewed by Epic Brewing Co.
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Salt Lake City, Utah USA

Serve in Shaker, Tulip

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A vigorous steady pour into my large Tripel Karmeliet tulip produces a three finger thick, pale tan tinged head that leaves some wispy lacing on the sides of my glass. The beer is a dark copper-amber color that shows an almost clear, gold tinged, pale copper hue. The aroma smells of ample hops that is backed by a hay like, threshed grain like character. Specific notes of lime zest, wheat thins like grain (this is quite distinct), a sort of mint, herbal note, lots of cracker like grain notes, and just a general big citrus zest note that is quite distinct, but I can’t quite place it (ponzu, pomelo and lime juice). This is quite malt accented for an IPA, it is still hoppy, but I was expecting a full on hop onslaught.

Somewhat light bodied, which is exactly what I want in an IPA, there is a distinct, biting bitterness that has quite a bit of mintiness to it. There is a definite menthol character that lingers on the palate along with an astringent hop bite; though in truth the hop character is quite clean, meaning this does not have the raw hoppiness that some of the more aggressive IPAs have. The minty character mixes with a bright citrus character that leans towards tangelo, Curacao Orange zest and there is also a bit of dank hop character that really tastes distinctly of earthy, herbal freshly crushed hemp seeds. The malt isn’t quite as apparent as in the nose, but there is still easily apparent notes of dried hay / grass, cracker like malt, and just a general, fairly bit, fresh pale malt character.

This could use a bit more hop character, well if you are a raging hop head at least, but it is actually quite good anyway. I like that the crystal malt notes are kept to a low level here, this has more pale malt flavors than anything. Given my individual impressions of this beer, I wouldn’t expect to like this beer nearly as much as I do, but somehow the composition just works here; the flavor definitely works better than the nose though, the latter being a bit too malt dominated.

Pour from a 22oz bomber. Amber brew with big head that takes a while to settle down. Aroma of citrus and floral hops, a little grass, light malt. Taste is a little sweet malt at the start and a rather low key but very well balnaced blend of citrus, floral, and grass. Soft carbonation and smooth palate makes it very refreshing. Nice!

22oz bottle from Oak Tree Discount Wine and Liquors in South Plainfield, NJ. Pours a lightly hazed, orange colored body with a slight golden tint. Finger-width, dense, creamy and frothy, off-white head that dissipates slowly and leaves a nice, sticky lacing throughout. Aroma is big citrus and grass, but smells a bit skunked. No bottled on date on the bottle. The skunk isn’t terrible, but it keeps this aroma from being really nice. Lots of florals and some pines as well as some bready pale malts with a light sweetness alongside a touch of straw and resin. Flavor is better and doesn’t really have that skunkiness to it. Lots of citruses with some grass and florals alongside a slightly bready malt backing with a touch of caramel. Citruses get a bit sweet towards the end where some catty pines come out and this finishes moderately bitter with some dry earth, sweet citruses, a few resins, and a light bready malt sweetness. Lengthy aftertaste following a smooth, medium-light body and a soft, moderate carbonation. Overall, a decent IPA. The aroma seemed a bit off, but the flavor was enjoyable. Some sweet and fruity hops with a slightly bready malt backing. Not bad.

Sample at the House Wine EPIC beer tasting on 04/18/2012: This beer pours a cloudy amber-gold color with a medium off-white head that recedes steadily to a film. Partial rings of lacing. Hops, citrus and malt in the nose. Medium body with a citrusy hops character and notes of caramel hops and a touch of spice. The finish is fruity with a hoppy aftertaste. Above average overall.

Bomber purchased at Tom Leonards in Western Henrico County. The ale poured a clear (slight haze) honey color with a white frothy head about one inch in depth. The head stayed throughout consumption. This is a very attractive ale in the glass with much lacing. The nose was faint citrus and each mouthful had some grapefruit and pine. The IPA was of medium body with a lively carbonation. The finish was smooth with mild bitterness and piney taste. A good IPA for first timers in this beer class. Could not compete with the larger ale.

Hops were average. Not very fruit, herbal or bitter. Slightly cloudy golden color, with minimal head. 22 oz. brown bottle.

$3.99 bomber (what a refreshing price). Sadly there is no bottling or best by date. Pours with a hazed golden hued body with a large, egg-shell head. Good retention and lace. Aromas are of citrus and pine. Classic grassy, floral, resin, grapefruit hop nose. A nice bready malt profile that balances well. Light nuttiness. Clean yeast wise. Flavors are medium bitter, bready/toasted/characterful malt. Mild floral and citrus hop flavors. Not quite as vibrant (fresh) as they could possibly be. Medium bitterness, grassy, low esters. Lively bubbles, dry, medium to low body. Lasting lightly floral bitterness.

22 oz. bottle- Pours hazy orange with a one finger white head. The aroma is tropical fruit, resinous hops, earthy. The taste is hoppy up front, followed by an unattractive grainy taste followed by more bitterness, there are fruity tastes, melon and maybe coconut, but it is missing something, and is kind of a mess. Body is medium, carbonation is fairly low. A pretty mediocre IPA, and needs some work.

6 apr 2012, bottle. Dark yellow, clear, no bubbles. Nose is straw and skunky lager. Thin body and a bit fizzy. Lemon, pepper, and straw. Not really nice ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Color:Amber Aroma:Citrus and pine Body:Fresh citrus with some pine some underlying maltness with a hint of sweetness. Finish:Dry and medium lasting. Some remaining citrus and floral. Over-all/Mouth-feel:Good balance, medium carbonation.

I like this alot better than Hopulent and more than the pale as well. Very floral tasting. A touch of bitterness but very mile. A nice session ale in my opinion. The best of Epic that I have had except for Smoked & Oaked.