thedm (3833), Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Feb 1, 2008 This bottled brew from a bottle shop poured a medium sized head of foamy fine to medium sized off-white colored bubbles that were mostly diminishing and left behind a transparent typically carbonated brown colored body and a very good lacing. The mild aroma was hoppy and floral. The crisp mouth feel was tingly at the start and at the finish hoppy aftertaste. The mild flavor contained notes of brown malt. A decent drinkable session brew that I would consider buying again. jpm30 (1588), East Central, Georgia, USA Jan 30, 2008 500 ml. narrow neck bottle, blank lot number on the back label, sampled in a imperial pint glass.
L: Clear reddish amber with a large off-white head of creamy foam. Good retention, light amount of ringed lace, active carbonation with a steady stream of micro bubbles going from the bottom of the glass to the top.
S: Perfumy floral hops, a touch earthy as well, baked apples fruitiness, caramel and graham crackers, not a bad nose, appealing in its own way.
F&T: Firm creamy crispness, smooth moderate body, this has a nice rounded malty feel in the mouth. Quite pleasant tasting, crystal malt flavors of buttery caramel and white sugar, becoming nutty at the end. Subtle berry fruitiness and a refined hoppiness, floral oily and earthy with a nice spiciness emerging in the dry finish.
Whether you want to call this an IPA, Pale Ale, English Bitter or a ESB, I thought this was very enjoyable, light and refreshing.
jgb9348 (2492), Arlington (Pentagon City), Virginia, USA Jan 27, 2008 Dark amber coloured body with ruby and brown highlights and a nice thick dense tan head. Aroma of fresh english hops, nice caramel, toffee, caramel malt, blood and a bit of metal. Light to Medium-bodied; Strong fruit in the taste up front with a very mild malt backbone and some nuts and toffee to round out the tastes. Aftertaste shows a tiny bit of the english hops, but mostly roasted sugars and some malt. Overall, a decent esb, nothing special and not much different than the plain jane IPA. I sampled this 50 cL bottle purchased from Oliver’s Beverage in Albany, New York on 27-January-2008. clong83 (243), San Diego, California, USA Jan 11, 2008 Pours an orangish color with a beige head, but is thin. Mainly fruit on the nose. Taste is also fruity and spicy. Lots of hop flavors, and the beer is bitter but not overpoweringly so. Very plain malt flavors, almost boring and watery even. Weird IPA, but is an okay beer. Is crisp and refreshing if nothing else. heemer77 (4294), Savannah, Missouri, USA Nov 17, 2007 Light amber body with a light khaki head. Subtle mango and pineapple in the aroma. There is also some black tea. The taste has some light grapefruit with black tea. There is a nice lightly bitter finish with a light, smooth body. I would like this one as a session beer. coldbrewky (716), Saugerties, New York, USA Oct 15, 2007 Bottle at keegan ales tonight. A nece example of the English style of IPA. A smooth body with a bit of a hop push as compared to the current American Style of IPA. I still feel that this is a bit on the low standard for an IPA. this could be a favorite all day drinker. None to shabby. BeerVirgin72 (778), Pataskala, Ohio, USA Sep 22, 2007 Poured from bottle. Not a fan of IPA’s, but this one wasnt too bad. Taste was sweet/sour malts, florals, and some spices, followed by the hops...Not bad...Not great, but drinkable. nearbeer (1833), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA Sep 6, 2007 50 clE. Dark copper with a medium and lasting, sticky head. Aroma is slight molasses, marshmallow, and root spices. Initial flavor is really one of the most unexpected dry malty-sourish twangs ever, but I get used to it after three-four swigs, and I kind of like it. Maybe its Belgian horse-blanket? It seems to be the earthy, fruity hop flavor that is the difference maker; good or bad is a matter of opinion. Some pretzel, metallic and plastic notes. Also a bit river-bottomish or swampy methinks; kind of like a good catfish. There is definitely some dry, bittering hops in there. Palate is kind of smooth, dryish and light-medium bodied. This beer is definitely chock full of flavor, and is a hell of alot better than the cask version, but is not for everyone.
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