McEwan’s India Pale Ale

Brewed by Wells & Youngs
Style: Bitter
Bedford, England

Serve in English pint

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UPDATED: MAY 6, 2003 I was a little confused by this one. Not an IPA by English or American standards, but did make for a satisfying English bitter with a little extra carbonation. Yeastiness and fruitiness really make this a tastey brew.

Clearly not an IPA, but not a Scottish ale either. This is more like a sweetish lightish ESB. Not a bad beer by any means, just not an IPA. Light fruitiness is the major trait I could detect. Quite smooth and easy drinking. Medium bitterness.

I’m always leery when everyone else praises a beer for qualities I just don’t see. More specifically, the aroma of this beer is slightly sour rather than hoppy, there is no head, no lacing, moderate carbonation and a hop flavor that diminishes quicker than it starts. It really has some Belgian qualities to it, so perhaps it’s skunked?? This bottle did take a plane ride, so I’ll have to try a fresh one. In a nutshell, not impressed.

UPDATED: MAR 22, 2004 A lot more like a standard British Pale Ale than an India Pale, and lacking somewhat in character, basically just consists of a wash of bland maltiness and a vague tanginess thereafter. Totally on the same level with Bass, Newcastle, etc.