By Ballast Point
In San Diego, California
7.00 ABV
American IPA
So after a quick Wikipedia search a Sculpin which is adorned on the beer is a fish with poisonous spikes, though it's meat is supposed to be some of the best fish meat available according to some Les Stroud type caveman person. Ballast point seems to have a fascination with marine life, several of their beers are adorned with aquatic type activities. Think boats and fish, not floaties and chlorine.
Visual: It has a big 2 finger head, much lacing on the glass with a amber dark orange color
Smell: Crazy smell for an IPA, there is a sweet and slightly salty smelling dimension with a small dose of tropical fruit.
Taste: Mango, peach, some pear, with a slight hop lingering effect that reinvigorates the palete for more.The alcohol is well hidden and It's very easy to drink. The fruit here taste's ripe and fresh picked, a real tasty IPA. The mouthfeel is very thin but this helps out the subdued flavors of fruit and hop.
Overall:I can imagine this being a great introduction to people who want to get a real IPA experience with tropical fruit to balance it out. It's not too sweet either, it provides a good balance and this is definitely going to be a constant buy for me.It could provide more tropical fruit but it still has a good enough dose for those trying out a well rounded IPA. 92/100
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
#6 Russian River "Pliny the Elder"
By Russian River
In Santa Rosa, California
8.00 ABV
Imperial IPA
Pliny the Elder is heralded by some as one of the best IPA's on the market. California is also known to produce the best IPA's in the world. Of course we all crave varying flavor profiles, it seems all across the board beer drinkers rate this beer highly.
Interesting history on Pliny the elder, he was a Roman man who was involved in politics, military, writing, law, philosophy and several other hobbies ensuring his badassedry in history.
Visual: Pours out a hazy orange, slight lacing on the side of the glass.
Smell: Several fruits, some pineapple juice, a hint of other tropical fruits.
Taste: First thing you get is a very small dose of hops, followed by what seems to be a small dose of pineapple juice. It's very easy to drink and you can't taste much alcohol. Though after you drink it it seems very underwhelming. It offers a very light flavor profile, lacking much diversity. It is very refreshing though, I can imagine drinking several of these in the summer.
Overall: This IPA needs more flavor to it. It's probably one of the most well balanced beers in relation to how well blended the hops and malt are, but it's lacking in any real definition. It's underwhelming and also it isn't very unique. I could see this as a good starter IPA for beer newbies though because of it's drinkability. 88/100
In Santa Rosa, California
8.00 ABV
Imperial IPA
Pliny the Elder is heralded by some as one of the best IPA's on the market. California is also known to produce the best IPA's in the world. Of course we all crave varying flavor profiles, it seems all across the board beer drinkers rate this beer highly.
Interesting history on Pliny the elder, he was a Roman man who was involved in politics, military, writing, law, philosophy and several other hobbies ensuring his badassedry in history.
Visual: Pours out a hazy orange, slight lacing on the side of the glass.
Smell: Several fruits, some pineapple juice, a hint of other tropical fruits.
Taste: First thing you get is a very small dose of hops, followed by what seems to be a small dose of pineapple juice. It's very easy to drink and you can't taste much alcohol. Though after you drink it it seems very underwhelming. It offers a very light flavor profile, lacking much diversity. It is very refreshing though, I can imagine drinking several of these in the summer.
Overall: This IPA needs more flavor to it. It's probably one of the most well balanced beers in relation to how well blended the hops and malt are, but it's lacking in any real definition. It's underwhelming and also it isn't very unique. I could see this as a good starter IPA for beer newbies though because of it's drinkability. 88/100
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
#5 Brouwerij Oud Beersel "Oude De Kriek"
By Brouwerij Oud Beersel
in Belgium
6.50% ABV
Fruit Lambic
This lambic beer comes in a traditional Belgian green bottle with a cork you can pull out with pressure with your fingers. It reminds me of something you might get served in Dracula's castle with the image of a temple and bottle design.
Visual: Very unique as it pours blood ruby red color. Not much head or lacing on the glass but you can definetly tell the cherry fruit they used in the oak translated well
Smell: Surprisingly light for a beer I assume to be sour, you get a sight dose of funky vinegar with a bit of barnyard funk
Taste: Taste is subtly, you get a tart flavor which lingers for a bit with an almost undetectable taste of cherry, the cherry really just adds as a backbone to the rest of the tartness.. You also get a bit of unripened cherries and a slight amount of oak. Not much of a sour sensation, it really hits you as if there's a juicy fruit without much sweetness.
Overall: It somewhat reminds me of a champagne, not much alcohol detected and it has the carbonation and mouthfeel of a champagne. Although it doesen't hit you intensely it does provide a good introduction to a tart beer. 90/100
in Belgium
6.50% ABV
Fruit Lambic
This lambic beer comes in a traditional Belgian green bottle with a cork you can pull out with pressure with your fingers. It reminds me of something you might get served in Dracula's castle with the image of a temple and bottle design.
Visual: Very unique as it pours blood ruby red color. Not much head or lacing on the glass but you can definetly tell the cherry fruit they used in the oak translated well
Smell: Surprisingly light for a beer I assume to be sour, you get a sight dose of funky vinegar with a bit of barnyard funk
Taste: Taste is subtly, you get a tart flavor which lingers for a bit with an almost undetectable taste of cherry, the cherry really just adds as a backbone to the rest of the tartness.. You also get a bit of unripened cherries and a slight amount of oak. Not much of a sour sensation, it really hits you as if there's a juicy fruit without much sweetness.
Overall: It somewhat reminds me of a champagne, not much alcohol detected and it has the carbonation and mouthfeel of a champagne. Although it doesen't hit you intensely it does provide a good introduction to a tart beer. 90/100
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