Ithaca Cascazilla

Brewed by Ithaca Beer Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Ithaca, New York USA

12 ounce bottle from my SS Winter 06. Pour a dark cherry read with a nice white whipped topping head. The head clings nicely to the sides of my shaker glass. Rich hoppy citrus and pine aroma with some medium/dark crystal malts. Flavor leaves a bit to be desired. Leaves a strip of leafy hop bitterness, but its is pretty restrained. I would’t bill this as an IPA. Nice pale ale though.

Clear orange coloured beer topped by a white cover that mostly lasts. Efficiently extracted malt base with a good crystal backbone offers a competent juicy, fruity base for the hops to thrive on. Full-on cascade reminds of a shaper St-Ambroise with dominant citrus fruits and resinous flavors. Enough malt to stand up to the hops, so this remains a solid American IPA, besides the ridiculously childish label. Light-bodied, aromatic, highly drinkable and juicy.

Any first impressions?
-A veil of foam sails atop the fiery orange copper.
-Biscuity caramel malts ground the resinous, citrusy C-hops for a telling aroma.
-Fruity caramel and wooden resins combine for a juicy IPA flavor profile, aided by citrusy oranges.
-The playful body takes advantage of the fluffy carbonation and forms a nourishing and drinkable combination.

What if you dig deeper?
-Considering the juvenile nature of the beer’s name and label, I would have expected brash hoppiness, but this is a well-balanced surprise.
-The leafy, wooden hop bitterness is well-leveled.
-There is nothing frightening in this American IPA; this is simply a well-crafted, tasty rendition of the hoppy liquid.

Bottles.

Bright copper appearance ; small white head; fair amount of lacing. Interesting aroma; citrusy and piney at first, but as it set, hints of dill and rye surfaced. Hoppy, spicy, bitter taste with a strong alcohol presence. Dry, medium bodied, well carbonated mouthfeel. Sharp, quick finish.

Tasty, and a nice IPA/red ale hybrid. Excellent balance and easy drinking. Recommended.

Reddish amber body, large tan head, great lacing ... a beautiful beer. Nose of sweet malts and PNW hops. Taste of sweet malts, toffee, pine and citrus, with a long bitter finish. Definitely an American IPA, not a red. Enjoyable, though neither intense or complex as my favorite American IPAs.

12oz bottle. Poured a deep and see through orange color (with a reddish tint to it) with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of pine, citrus, and caramel. Tastes of oranges, light pine, light caramel with a grapefruit finish.

Bold, beautiful hop aroma. Pours a nice amber with a thin, off-white head. Refined cascade hops upfront with a slick, caramel finish. Hoppy aftertaste lingers for a good few minutes. Would definitely buy again.