95 Workhorse India Pale Ale, Laurelwood Brewing Co. (OR). 7.5% ABV (2/11)
Pure amber color. Dense aromas of apricot marmalade, candied grapefruit zest and pinecone with a round, satiny, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a long, rich, roasted root vegetable, arugula and citrusy hop flourish. Delicious and deeply flavorful.
94 IPA, Goose Island Beer 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 cloved honey baked ham notes. Finishes with a long, chewy, herbally bitter and crunchy hop fade. Delicious and very food-friendly.
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.
93 Full Sail IPA, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 6% ABV (3/11)
Brilliant pale amber color. Aromas and flavors of grapefruit marmalade on a buttered lemon scone and pine needle with a zesty, supple dryish medium-to-full body and a tangy, nut, peppercorn and kale nuanced finish with firm, citrus pith-like hops. Excellent vibrancy and balance.
93 Yellow Snow IPA, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.5% ABV (2/11)
Aromas of orange marmalade, apricot butter, fruit cake and grapefruit with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a long, bitter and astringent citrus pith, nut skin and peppery radicchio finish. An intense treat for hopheads.
93 India Pale Ale, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL). 5.9% ABV (2/11)
Very bright golden amber color. Bright aromas of grapefruit marmalade and apricot butter on fresh baguette with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, grilled root vegetable, okra and peppery radish sprout finish.
92 Commodore Perry IPA, Great Lakes Brewing Co. (OH). 7.5% ABV (3/11)
Bright light amber color. Aromas of floral honey, cashew brittle, peach butter and pine-planked path in forest with a soft, satiny dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, sumptuously plush roasted root vegetable and escarole-accented finish with peppery, citrusy hops. Fantastically fresh, drinkable and stylish.
92 Meantime India Pale Ale, Meantime Brewing Co. (England). 7.5% ABV (3/11)
Deep golden amber color. Fruity aromas and peach cobbler, cashew butter and pattypan squash with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, zesty citrus, leafy greens and grassy hop finish. Excellent depth and balance; will lord over the table.
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 finely poised for its size. Serve with spicy Szechuan or Thai cuisine.
91 Flight Delay IPA, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL). 7.2% ABV (3/11) %{Brewpub}
Deep copper color. Grilled grapefruit, chestnut honey, dried peach and pine aromas with a chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body and a long, lemon pepper, okra and escarole finish.
91 Daddy Fat Sacks IPA, Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. (PA). 7.5% ABV (3/11) %{Brewpub}
Deep copper color. Aromas of peach custard pastry and grilled grapefruit with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with honeydew melon, rye toast and peppery arugula-like hops. Delicious and rich.
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 jalapeño. A firebrand of an IPA to serve with fiery hot chili.
90 Track Town 200 Meter Ale, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 5.9% ABV (2/11)
Bright orange amber color. Aromas of orange butter and grapefruit marmalade on buttered toast with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and nicely astringent bitter greens, sappy pine and lemon pith finish. Nice intensity and style that will appeal to hopheads.
90 Bumper Crop IPA, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 6.6% ABV (3/11) %{Brewpub}
Bright amber color. Aromas of peach crème brûlée, honey and toasted date bread with a smooth, crisp dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full and a long, balanced lemon curd and mesclun-like hop finish. Delicious.
90 Samuel Adams Latitude 48 IPA, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 6% ABV (2/11)
Bright copper color. Aromas of grilled grapefruit, praline and pinecone with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a turnip, multigrain toast, tangerine soufflé and grassy hop finish. Flavorful, zesty and balanced.
90 Brockton IPA, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada). 6% ABV (2/11)
Bright amber color. Aromas of lemon pepper, grass and custard with a supple, dryish medium body and a honeyed nut, turnip and frisée-like hop finish. A nicely balanced and zesty, British-styled IPA that will be great with food.
90 Alphadelic IPA, Hop Valley Brewing Co. (OR). 6.7% ABV (3/11) %{Brewpub}
Bright pure grapefruit and pine needle aromas and flavors with a frothy, soft dryish medium-to-full body and a long, peppered arugula, nutshell, dusty carrot skin finish with citrus pith and mossy earthy hops. An in-your-face, yet very charming American IPA.
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 through 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 IPA, Issaquah Brewhouse (WA). 6.8% ABV (2/09)
Deep brilliant amber color with a lacy head. Aromas of toasted orange bread and 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 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 Brutal IPA, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.2% ABV (2/11)
Lightly hazy copper color. Rich pine, peach-pineapple marmalade and grapefruit soufflé aromas and flavors with a supple, dryish medium-to-full body and a nut skin, okra and grassy, minty hop finish. Smooth and stylish.
89 Dragonfly IPA, Upland Brewing (IN). 6.5% ABV (2/11)
Brilliant amber color. Aromas of toasted nuts, grilled pineapple and lemon aromas with supple, frothy dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and an astringent citrus custard, melba toast and peppered broccoli rabe-accented finish.
89 Apocalypse IPA, 10 Barrel Brewing (OR). 6.5% ABV (2/11)
Copper color. Aromas of honeyed dried fruits, citrus and mild stewed veggies with a round, supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and robust savory finish. A very nice food beer; try with chicken curry salad.
89 Stegmaier India Pale Ale, The Lion Brewery (PA). 6.8% ABV (3/11)
Deep amber color. Fruity aromas of pineapple husk, peach jam, caramel nut fudge and grapefruit granita with a frothy, soft fruity-yet-dry medium-full body and a bright grilled pear salad, lemon-polished wood and citrus yogurt finish with floral pine blossom-like hops. Very nice.
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.
88 Sisters of the Moon IPA, Mother Earth Brewing (NC). 7% ABV (3/11)
Bright light golden amber color. Aromas of grapefruit, lemon yogurt, pound cake and pinecone with a crisp, round, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy, honeyed peach, succotash and peppery, piney hop finish.
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 IPA, Wild Range (CA). 6.3% ABV (2/11)
Deep amber color. Aromas of honeyed nougat, nut toast and baked citrus with a soft, silky dryish medium body and a root vegetable chip, kale and lemon pepper hop finish.
87 Ice Pick Ale, Silverton Brewery (CO). 6.8% ABV (2/11)
Bright light copper color. Attractive aromas of toasty bread pudding, mocha crème brûlée and citrus with a crisp, supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a polite okra, mineral and grass-accented finish.
87 Scottish Joker IPA, Williams Bros. Brewing Co. (Scotland). 5% ABV (3/11)
Old gold color with a minute patina of haze. Oily roasted whole nut and rutabaga and lemon curd aromas with a soft, creamy dryish medium body and nutshell, polished wood and grilled root vegetable and kale finish. A savory food beer that will shine with hearty curries.
86 Class Five IPA, 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.
86 India Pale Ale, Roscoe’s Hop House (NY). 6.3% ABV (2/11)
Minutely hazy copper penny color. Aromas of lemon zest, nougat and grass with a soft, dryish medium body and a tangy honeyed citrus and leafy green hop finish.
86 Royal IPA, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6.55% ABV (3/11) %{Brewpub}
Deep, slightly hazy copper color. Subdued and cooked aromas of grilled citrus and stewed okra and root veggies with a zesty, dryish medium-to-full and a touch of dried pork rinds on the astringent, piney, resinous hop finish. Could use a touch more depth and balance.
85 India Pale Ale, Nebraska Brewing Co. (NE). 6.5% ABV (3/10) %{Brewpub}
Pretty deep amber color. Aromas of roasted nuts, grilled grapefruit and faint animal hide follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with roasted pork, corn and root vegetable notes. Finishes with salty, savory fade. Try with grilled game and stews.
85 Bad Moon Ryeizen IPA, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 6.33% ABV (3/11) %{Brewpub}
Brilliant golden amber color. Aromas of eggy peach soufflé, date and pumpernickel bread with a crisp, dryish medium-to-full body and a nutty, grassy astringent finish.
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.
84 2 Fives (and a Stolen Coat) I.P.A., Main Street Grille and Brewing Co. (OH). 6.5% ABV (2/11) %{Brewpub}
Lightly hazy, light amber color. Aromas of crusty peach custard pie and piney hops with a supple, lightly chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy, citrus marmalade and leafy hop snap. Very nice.
84 Hop Harvest I.P.A., Delafield Brewhaus (WI). 6.5% ABV (2/11) %{Brewpub}
Lightly hazy deep amber color. Aromas of fruity caramel syrup, wheatgrass and yeasty pancake batter have a sweet worty edge with a supple, dryish medium body and stewed veggie, watercress and mint custard pastry-accented finish. Interesting and rather earthy, try with raw vegan foods
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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