94 Full Sail IPA, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 6% ABV (3/10)
Deep golden amber color. Fruity tropical citrus, peach marmalade and sourdough crust aromas follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium body with nice chewy toasted malt and a tangy, brightly astringent citrus and pine hop fade. Great vibrancy and style.
94 IPA, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 5.9% ABV (3/10)
Deep golden amber color. Rich apricot, kumquat and grapefruit aromas have a great sour, piney edge and follow through on a rich, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with caramelized nuts, toast and clove honey baked ham notes. Finishes with a long, chewy, herbally bitter and crunchy hop fade. Delicious and very food friendly.
93 IPA, BridgePort Brewing Co. (OR). 5.5% ABV (3/08)
Rich golden amber color. Fruity caramel, orange blossom tea and honey and buttery toast aromas. A soft, supple entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium body of well-balanced nut toast, orange blossom honey and toasted grain flavors. Finishes with a long, crisp interplay of roasted nuts and sweet citrus. A delicious session beer that will excel and the table as well―try with teriyaki.
93 Yellow Snow Ale IPA, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.5% ABV (3/10)
Aromas of sour cream frosting on toasted panettone, kumquats and roasted nuts follow through on a round, satiny entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with creamy citrus crème brûlée notes. Finishes with a tart, dry and astringent, grilled citrus, pine sap and peach-accented fade. A rock solid West Coast IPA for hopheads and foodies.
93 India Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (3/10)
Sweet peach and apple butter aromas and flavors on the medium-bodied palate that follow through with buttered nuts and caramel accents. Rich brioche like malt and a nice dry, very earthy hop finish. A spot on British-styled IPA.
92 Tracktown IPA, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 6.8% ABV (2/08)
Slightly hazy pale amber color. Fresh aromas of caramel, pine, dried apricot and grapefruit marmalade. A round, velvety entry leads to a vibrant, dryish medium-to-full body of rich caramelized nut, citrus peel and pungent herbal notes. Finishes with a long, astringent dusty earth and bittering hop fade.
92 Commodore Perry IPA, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 7.5% ABV (2/08)
Vibrant nut and citrusy hop aromas follow through to a rich, velvety full body with intense fresh citrus and pine flavors on a bread of spicy and grainy rye toast, honeyed fudge and pink peppercorns. Finishes with a long fade of hops, earth and herbs. A big powerful IPA with great balance and style.
92 Brutal IPA, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.2% ABV (3/10)
Hazy golden amber color. Rich grapefruit and peach marmalade on muffin and floral pine aromas follow through on a round, crisp entry to a dryish medium body with very good depth and vibrancy. Finishes in a long, chewy and resinous citrusy hop fade with intense astringency.
92 Daddy Fat Sacks IPA, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 7.5% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Hazy amber color. Creamy mocha and lemon curd-on-cinnamon apple muffin aromas follow through on a rich, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with great, effortless balance and depth. Finishes with a long, chewy nut toast malt and mild citrusy and earthy hop fade. A spot-on British-styled IPA with beautifully restrained hops.
91 Propeller IPA, Propeller Brewing Co. (Canada). 6.5% ABV (3/08)
Rich amber color. Inviting aromas of caramelized nuts, orange blossoms, clay andgrainy dough. A supple entry leads to rich, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of honeyed toasted, praline and roasted grain flavors. Finishes with a crisp roasted citrus, nut oil, wet earth and delicate spice fade. A delicious beer for all applications.
91 Marin I.P.A, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 6.8% ABV (2/09)
Brilliant deep amber color with a lacy head. Aromas of honey-roasted nuts, delicate spice, pine needle and kale follow through on a round, robust entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-full body with dried fruits, kumquat marmalade on buttered cinnamon raisin toast notes. Finishes with a long, roasted root veggie and mossy earth-accented fade. A big earthy and delicious food beer for smoked turkey leg, mutton and peppered brisket.
91 Stone India Pale Ale, Stone Brewing Co. (CA). 6.9% ABV (2/09)
Brilliant golden amber color. Bold aromas of grapefruit, pine sap, orange peels and spice bread follow through on a smooth supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with hints of caramelized carrot and turnip and a peppery, citrus marmalade, praline and floral juniper and basil-accented fade. A delicious, highly drinkable IPA that maintains fine poised for its size. Serve with spicy Szechuan or Thai cuisine.
91 Track Town 200 Meter Ale, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 6.5% ABV (3/10)
Golden amber color. Dense, deep aromas of grilled grapefruit and apricot marmalade on toasted sourdough golden raisin bread follow through on a round, velvety entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with excellent depth and vibrancy. Finishes with a long, chewy, cream of wheat, woody pine resin and honey baked citrus peel fade. A smoothly textured, yet explosively flavorful hop bomb.
90 Inversion IPA, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 6.8% ABV (2/09)
Rich amber color. Aromas of grapefruit, white chocolate and praline follow through on a round, satiny entry to a fruity medium-to-full body with sautéed plantain, radish and green peppercorn notes. Finishes with a lash of astringent bittering hops reminiscent of kumquats and pickled jalapeno. A firebrand of an IPA to serve with fiery hot chili.
90 Alphadelic IPA, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 6.8% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Golden amber color. Aromas of peach marmalade, pine resin and grilled grapefruit follow through with good depth and length on a nice dry-yet-fruity medium body. Long, balanced wood-toned finish. Very tasty.
89 Punk IPA, Brewdog (Scotland). 6% ABV (2/09)
Deep old gold color with a lacy head. Aromas of cider vinegar marinated nuts, caramel and yeasty sourdough follow though on a round, soft entry to a dryish medium body with mossy hop, dried grapefruit, river stone and twig notes on the sharp very astringent finish. An interesting, careening blend of wild fermented earthiness and bite. Think Belgian IPA and hearty country fare.
89 Frog Rye I.P.A, Issaquah Brewhouse (OR). 6.8% ABV (2/09)
Deep brilliant amber color with a lacy head. Aromas of toasted orange bread, cocoa follow through on a soft, rounded entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with tangy honeyed orange and grapefruit peels, smoked nutshells, tobacco leaf and a dried pine accent on the zesty, sharp finish.
89 Royal IPA, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6.7% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Hazy coppery orange color. Earthy hop and cocoa-dusted orange peel aromas follow through on crisp, chewy entry to a tart medium-to-full body with kumquat jam on rye toast notes and a nicely astringent hop bite on the finish. Well done and balanced.
89 Lucky U IPA, Breckenridge Brewery (CO). 6.2% ABV (3/10)
Bright amber color. Mild citrus and toast aromas follow through on a smooth, supple entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with excellent spry weight and balance. Finishes with a crisp, tart citrus and pinecone fade. Very drinkable and well crafted.
89 Samuel Adams Latitude 48 IPA, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.8% ABV (3/10)
Chewy nut bread malt, kettle corn and pear butter and apple and spice-accented. Smooth and creamy, with lingering toasty malt and sweet citrus curd finish.
88 Big Swell IPA, Maui Brewing Co. (HI). 6.2% ABV (3/08)
Deep amber color with a frothy taupe head. Vibrant aromas of orange zest, brown sugar and delicate fresh cut pine are inviting. A silky entry leads to a tangy medium-to-full body of buttery caramel, sour cream and roasted pineapple flavors. Finishes with sweet citrus, praline and pine needle fade with a touch of soap and albumen. Interesting.
88 Pike IPA, Pike Brewing Co. (WA). 6.3% ABV (3/10)
Brilliant amber color. Sour candied lemon and orange peel, yeasty sourdough and light pine sap aromas follow through on a bright, tangy entry to a dryish medium body with good depth and firm hop astringency. Finishes with a long, grilled grapefruit, arugula and tangerine butter on rye toast fade. A very spicy, assertive IPA.
87 Hoppy Otter IPA, Otter Brewery (England). 6.8% ABV (3/08)
Rich copper color. Brown butter, pork fat, and sweaty hop aromas. A brisk round entry leads to dryish medium-to-full body of roasted pecan, soy sauce and meat flavors. Finishes with fruity caramel, woody nut and hint of spice. A curious, funky brew.
87 Brutal Bitter, Rogue Ales (OR). 6% ABV (2/09)
Hazy oranges amber color. Honeyed cream pastry, brown sugar caramelized carrot and praline aromas follow through on a supple entry to a savory and dry medium-to-full body with even dried citrus, roasted nut and mossy hop notes on the dense astringency hop finish.
87 Rams Head IPA, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery (NC). 6.2% ABV (2/09)
Deep amber color. Roasted coffee bean and caramel fudge aromas follow through on a round, vibrant entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with raisin-nut compote and dried citrus peel flavors. Finishes with a zesty, charred nut and pepper dust fade. Try with curry.
86 Class Five I.P.A., Thomas Creek Brewery (SC). 5.5% ABV (3/10)
Deep amber color. Aromas of dark raisin toast, citrus custard and praline follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with very good intensity. Finishes with a long grilled/charred grapefruit and white chocolate nut fudge fade. A brash and bold IPA for hopheads.
84 Ear-Ache My…IPA, Willoughby Brewing Co. (OH). 7.7% ABV (2/08) %{Brewpub}
Deep dark brown color with a manila head is very strange for an IPA―looks like a stout. Dark caramel fudge and grilled citrus and leafy herb aromas. A soft, supple entry leads to a mildly carbonated, dryish medium body of dark rye toast, grapefruit peel and sweet and piney tree sap flavors. Finishes with a gentle fade of roasted nuts, honeyed citrus peels and sweet sap. A very curious IPA that is somewhat in the British style, albeit with a radical color. All in all, a decent pint.
84 Freedom American IPA, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 6.5% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Hazy golden color. Aromas of roasted root vegetables and citrus jelly on muffins follow through on a soft entry to a dryish medium body with custard and roasted corn notes. Finishes with a long, tart, roasted citrus, mineral and delicate spice fade.
83 Juggernaut IPA, Fox River Brewing (WI). 5.3% ABV (3/08)
Deep amber color with and ephemeral head. Tangy aromas of sour apple, dried tangerine and honey-drenched toast follow through to a supple, tangy, dry-yet-fruity medium body with roasted and burnt sugar notes. Finishes with a brisk nut, mineral and tangerine jelly fade. A pleasant quaffer.
81 Address Unknown IPA, Willimantic Brewing Co. (CT). 6.5% ABV (2/09) %{Brewpub}
Hazy oranges copper color. Muddled aromas of chocolate-covered orange, caramel and soapy dishwater and musty rag follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with nutshell, sour cream and grapefruit pith on the very bitter cracked pepper and pine sap fade. Rather clumsy.
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