Scotch Irish Sgt. Majors IPA

Brewed by Heritage Brewing Limited
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Carleton Place, Canada

Draught at beerbistro during the 2006 Golden Tap Awards. Man, I can’t believe I haven’t rated this yet, I’ve had it so many times! Unfortunately that means I’ve missed my opportunity to rate the ’old’ version which I prefer over this new recipe. Pours a clear deep amber with a small diminishing white head. Aroma of lightly toasted malt, caramel and light citrus hops -- not as hoppy as it used to be, but it still smells nice. Flavour: first sip and right off the bat I have to say I prefer the old Sgt. Majors, this tastes predominently of toasty malt with the hops fighting to get through and a decent bitter finish. Medium bodied. I’m repeating myself here but this is much maltier and less hoppy then it used to be and I vastly prefer the opposite in my IPAs. Maybe the recipe still needs tweaking?

Bottle from beer swap: Orange color, with a big white head. Aroma was a bright citrus with tangerine and orange, and a bit of spice to it. Flavor, was citrusy, pale malts, and a little yeast. The brilliant hops on the aroma were almost no where to be found on the finish, it was muddied and just not as clear as the aroma would lead one to believe.

Draught @ TFOB: I had hoped to find some real IPAs at the Festival as they appear difficult to find in these parts. I’m not sure this one fits the bill as a proper IPA, but it was still well done. Aroma of grass, citrus, hops, and a light background sweetness. Pours a light copper with a nice thick head. Flavour is a heavy hit of hops as it should be, but paired with citrus and grains, as well as heavy floral tones. I think I’m still looking for my first great IPA, but this was close.

Odd start to this beer. Cap popped off with the sound of a champagne bottle. But no gushing. Beer poured into the glass with about 90% head... the stream of beer looked odd... steady stream of amber beer with a triangle of head underneath; in front of the bottle lip. Body looked sparkling like champagne but fizzier. It is a little hazy and copper, head is fizzy and light tan. Aroma has grassy fresh hops... some citrus and caramel. Clean citrus and moderate caramel malt IPA flavor with a bitter rindy edge, and slight off-character... its that slight astringency I get in some IPAs and pilsners. Good beer though.

On draft at Volo. Clear amber in the glass with a nice beige head that left stringy lacing. Mild aroma, gentle toasty malts, herby-dusty hops. Mostly hoppy flavor, toasty malts evident with hints of maple, then more of the floral-herbal character with dandelion milk, dominated by the dustiness I associate with english style IPA’s and a lingering bitter finish. Medium body and easy carbonation. Despite being billed as a "west coast style IPA, this seemed to be lacking the bold citrus and resiny pine flavors that are typical of the west coast brewed IPA’s. A bit disappointing overall.