Meantime India Pale Ale

Brewed by Meantime
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
London, England

75cl bottle from Sainsbury. Copper colour with bubly off white head. Goldings/Fuggles strong hop aroma. Big harsh hop flavours. Very much in the style of an American big intense hoppy IPA. Not unpleasant, very in your face grapefruit hop. Herby/peppery. There is some biscuity malt to underpin the hops.

Nose is sharp and strong with a hint of banana. Pours amber with a thin but surprisingly persistant head. Flavour is very dry and hoppy ith an aftertaste that’s a bit astringent. The carbing is a bit too sharp, but over all its a refreshing IPA and a good example of the pure style.

Hazy pale orange with a thin white head with some lacing. Citric, hoppy aroma with some alcoholic notes. Sugary, acidic flavour. Somewhat grassy and flowery with a quite disturbing alcoholtaste. Decent bitterness.

The beer came in an elegant looking Champagne style brown-green bomber with the information about the beer printed on contoured labels. Having a wire cage and cork added to the overall refinement of the packaging. As the beer relinquished the confinement to the appointed Imperial Pint glass, the color looked golden amber, the body slightly hazy, carbonation ample, and head well proportioned at two-finger thick. The appearance was pretty spot on for an IPA from either side of the Atlantic, while the smell was that of signature English hops. The restrained spiciness, and full on earthiness of the hops could not be mistaken for anything but Fuggles & Golding. The taste indicated that the hops had been added in amounts typically absent from the beers brewed over there. It wasn’t overly bitter, but it was certainly spicy and snappy. There was also a good deal of citric acidity that makes the American versions of the style so quaffable. The very cohesive flavor profile set off fireworks in my mouth with each sip. The body was medium thick and carbonation soft and creamy, i.e., the typical IPA mouthfeel that makes me long for the next sip. Aftertaste was long drawn out and citric. Kudos to Meantime for incorporating the American influences so well, while keeping the beer an English IPA at its heart. Will have to pick up more next time I’m at Green’s.

Pleasant surprise. This amber brew with a frothy off-white head gave off notes of caramel malt, grassy hops, citrus zest. Medium body. Flavor was slightly sweet malt with a hoppy finish. Not exceptional but very pleasing.

The aroma has plenty of floral hops, yeast, and sweet malt. The appearance is hazy with a deep gold/orange. The flavor is bitter first, malt second, and finally a touch of citrus. The palate is typical for an IPA but good. This is a good example of the style.

As great IPA for what it is, it has a strong floral preseance and the bitterenss is appearant but very smooth. Swwet and floral with a caramel feel to it.

RATING #1100 - Pours a medium golden amber color with a small disappearing head. Aromas of citrus hops, sweet malts, and a hint of fruit. Flavors of grapefruit, orange, with subtle hints of caramel.