Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA

Bottle. It looks straighforward good in the glass, maybe a bit dull somehow, but sure good, with its clear, golden body and an off-white cap. Hop dominates the aroma, with a good dash of pine, but there’s also maltyness. The flavor is even more on the hoppy side, quite fruity and very piney, leaving the malty flavors in the far back. That goes for the finish too, a long and bitter one. Full body. A lovely beer for a hophead, but maybe a one-dimentional. (071123)

Compliments in trade with my friend, DrBayern, Thanks Matt!!! a light golden colour, forms small white foamy head. Aroma of hops, pines, and flowers. Flavour is of citrus and hops. Flowers come through with a particular maltiness. A very sessionable IPA, not stellar, but it leaves you wanting more from the tap.

More malt than hops in the aroma. I can taste the malt behind the intense wall of hops. Hop flavor is delicate and floral. The finish is very bitter, but there is enough sweetness to balance this out. A pleasant IPA.

Very clear, very light copper color. Medium sized bubbly off-white head. Balanced nose of piney hops and sweet maltiness. Medium-bodied smooth mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. Nice piney, resinous hop flavor, good bitter hop finish.

Quite good hop presence throughout. It was kind of one dimensional. Not too bad, but it could have had some more malt characteristics to round it out. Good floral nose though. Smelled nice, but a bit too strong without much to balance it.

The first time I had this beer, it was my first IPA, and I couldn’t handle the hops at all. Tonight I had it with a chicken and biscuits meal. It suits the food well, and has some great floral aromas. However, none of the fruity overtones or other complexities showed up. It had a good mouthfeel for the style, but then it was just a dry, shallow bitter that didn’t really have a lot of flavor or pleasant notes. It was just a slightly acidic, but not fruity tartness and bitterness. I will try it again because I definitely remembered more complexity the first time, but as for now, this just wasn’t a good beer.

I’ve read about the Commodore but I don’t know if his personality matched this phenomenally bitter and unpleasant ale. If not, they have done his name a disservice. I’m shocked the hop heads on this site haven’t lavished a 100 percentile rating on this overly hopped concoction. The truth is, while the color and aroma are appealing, it’s just overdone. You ever tasted chili whose maker has fired it with such overpowering pepper that you can’t taste anything else? If so, drink it with this IPA.

Hoppy, hearty, and full of alcohol. Bottle drinker. I am sure it is way better properly poured. Delicious tastes of fruity American hops. Quality brew. I experienced a smooth mouth feel and aftertaste. Pleasant.