Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA

Bottle, best by 6/13/08. Pours an attractive deep, clear golden with a thick white head. Floral, citrusy nose - kind of subdued, with.... a hint of butter, uh-oh. Flavor has a noticeable diacetyl character which detracts from the beer. Also are notes of nice maltiness (munich perhaps?) grapefruit, citrus and ample bitterness. Very nice, full and round body with moderate to lively carbonation. Has elements of a good beer with one unfortunate flaw. I would like to give this one another shot.

Bottle: Pours a very light, translucent gold color with a nice-looking white, pillow-like head. Aroma hints at hops...yes, hops and more hops. Some light citrus tones noted. Medium-bodied mouth feel. Nice bitter start leads to a slightly sweet, caramel like finish that is in and of itself quite bitter. Good stuff.

Bottled. Thx to Martin. Hazy and dark golden in colour with a small white head. Quite malty and sweet with notes of caramel, pine and grass.

Poured a medium golden copper with a thick head that stayed around awhile. It smelled uniquely delightful--very flowery. Tasted very hoppy but not very bitter--finished smooth and was very drinkable. This is a great one and I really enjoyed it!

Pours clear and medium gold with lively, cascading carbonation. A thick, foamy, spongy white head leaves behind nice clumps of lacing behind. The nose shows citrusy, grassy hops over pale caramelized malts. Flavors turn a bit more resinous, with substantial grassy hops and sharp grapefruit outweighing a basic caramel malt background. The medium body is smooth, dry, and spicy in the mouth. Finishes with biting bitterness as the sharp hops surge forward on the close. Highly drinkable. Nice brew. Great Lakes does a nice job with these basic, middle of the road type beers.

Bottle. Clear golden coloured with a small white head. Sweet aroma of caramel, dried fruits and hops. Sweet, flavour of caramel, dried fruits and hops. Hoppy finish.

Bottled. Thanks Engelsmann. Slightly hazy dark golden coloured. Hoppy aroma with fruity and malty notes. Sweetish hoppy tea flavour with notes of apples. Rather dry and bitter finish.

On tap at the brewery. Very handsome pour, thick, vibrant, crested with a large fluffy head. Big bitter hops seem to ooze out of this baby, with a strong pine character up front and a slightly dry finish. It’s certainly the most West Coast style I’ve had from this brewery. But while it’s well done and enjoyable, it doesn’t quite stand out in a very crowded field.