Greene King IPA Export Strength

Not a lot going on here in the way of aroma, a little hops a little sweat. The beer looks pretty enough with tons of lace, a good head and a very light amber hue. Flavor is ok, but I’m a little disappointed, as I generally like the products from this brewery, and this one.... well isn’t terribly special. It’s not that the beer is bad, on the contrary it is bitter & enjoyable, there is some surprising fresh hop character on the back of the tongue. The problem is just that it is not a very strongly flavored ale, which I suppose is a mild let down. It is palatable, and worth a try.

Bottle. Quite hoppy, moderate malty. Average off-white creamy head, mostly diminishing, dark red body. Very bitter start, light sweet, a little bit perfume. The finish is very bitter with a average duration. Medium body, dry texture, lively carbonation. The perfume taste is a little bit strange...

Bottle. Medium sized fizzy ivory head that mostly diminished, splotchy lacing, transparent, visible carbonation, and an orange hue. Nose was hoppy, bitter, earthy, and toffee. Flavor was lightly hoppy, light bitterness, toffee, and finishes dry. Slightly tingly and dry mouthfeel. Easy to drink, but nothing special to where I want to seek this one out again.

(Bottle, thanks to Christer) Amber color, offwhite head. Hoppy, grassy aroma, a bit metallic and with some toffee notes. Grassy flavor, dry bitter, some toffe. Bitter grassy finish.

Bottle at Bishops Arms in Jonkoping, Sweden. Amber clear body and a white head. Toffee and caramelmalt in aroma and taste. Aftertaste is short bitter. Easy to drink. Ok bitter.

[WBA Styles Tasting] Light copper color. Plenty of esters in the aroma. Malty and a bit sweet. Very well rounded earthy bitterness. Caramel malt sweetness dominates the flavors. Low percieved bitterness, overall. Not too bad.

50cL bottle from Green Life. Slightly lighter than copper, very clear. Aroma is far maltier/less hoppy than I would expect from an IPA, smelling more of baked goods with fruit (which are the dominant flavors) than floral; touch of Rhone Grenache-like earthiness in the aroma, but not as much in the taste. Nice mouthfeel. An okay beer that I would drink again, but wouldn’t go out of my way for.

In Chicago, one of the places that this is exported to, the name is just Greene King Export IPA. A good looking ale, this pours a clear copper body with a sizeable off-white head that performs modest lacing. It has a pleasing aroma of caramel, orchard fruit, and floral and earthy hoppiness. The aroma carries into the flavor with a little added light brown sugar and a slight increase in the bitterness. The finish is dry and refreshing. Very sessionable ale.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp?PlaceID=18>Sam’s Wine & Spirits, Chicago, IL<font size=-1>