94 Yellow Snow Ale IPA, Rogue Ales (OR). 6.5% ABV (2/09)
Cloudy orange amber color with a thin lacy head. Interesting aromas of grilled banana nut bread, crème caramel, hay and spicy poached apple follow through on a rich, chewy entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-full body with baked citrus and spice notes. Finishes with a long, rich and peppery earthy pine and citrus peel hop fade. A big, flavorful unfiltered IPA to serve with grilled meats and spicy curries.
94 Full Sail IPA, Full Sail Brewing Co. (OR). 6% ABV (2/09)
Pale amber color with al lingering white head. Honeyed orange bread, tapioca and mild peppery spice aromas follow through on a smooth creamy entry to a rich, dryish medium-to-full body with great vibrancy and balance. Finishes with a long, refreshing burnt orange peel, custard and toast fade. A rich, flavorful IPA in the English vein.
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 IPA, Big Sky Brewing Co. (MT). 6.2% ABV (2/07)
Deep amber color. Vibrant grapefruit and pine-like hop aromas scream west coast IPA. a round supple entry leads to a tangy medium-full body of candied grapefruit peels, caramel and smoky sap flavors. Finishes with a long, clean and refreshing smoky piney hop fade. Very well put together with extremely vibrant, but not over-the-top American hops.
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 IPA, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 5.9% ABV (2/09)
Golden amber color with a fine foamy head. Bright, fresh aromas of kumquats, ginger crème brûlée, pecan praline and dried pine needles follow through on a rich, chewy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with layers of golden raisin toast, roasted carrot and parsnip. Finishes with a long, tart citrus peel and cocoa spice fade. Delicious and complex. Try with Cajun grilled shrimp.
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, earthy and herbs. A big, powerful IPA with great balance and style.
91 Stone India Pale Ale, Stone Brewing Co. (CA). 6.9% ABV (2/09)
Brilliant golden amber color. Bold aromas of grapefruit , pine sap and 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 Szechwan or Thai cuisine.
91 Propeller IPA, Propeller Brewing Co. (Canada). 6.5% ABV (3/08)
Rich amber color. Inviting aromas of caramelized nuts, orange blossoms, clay, grainy 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 lay 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.
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.
89 Royal IPA, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6.7% ABV (2/09)
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 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. A interesting, careening blend of wild fermented earthiness and bite. Think Belgian IPA and hearty country fare.
89 IPA, Cucapa (Mexico). 6.8% ABV (2/07)
Beautiful deep amber color. Smoky, resinous hop aromas with undertones of sour lemon cream and caramel follow through to a frothy and dryish medium-full body with white ash, brown sugar and pine cone-like hops on the finish.
89 India Pale Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (2/07)
Brilliant pale amber color. Toasted nut and dusty, earthy hop aromas. A round entry leads to a dryish medium body of tangy dried citrus and apricots, nuts and caramel topped brioche flavors. Finishes with a long, tangy, earthy, slightly smoky hops fade with refreshing astringency. A berry that whets and refreshes the palate in every respect–this is an excellent choice for the dinner table.
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.
88 Track Town 200 Meter Ale, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 6.5% ABV (2/09)
Slightly hazy amber orange color with a fine blanket of micro foam. Orange compote and buttered caramelized nut aromas follow through on a soft, supple entry to fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with great balance and texture. Finishes with lash of pepper, grapefruit rind and nutshells on the lingering resinous, astringent fade.
88 Saranac Imperial IPA, Matt Brewing Co. (NY). 8.5% ABV (2/07)
Deep amber color. Lemon, piney hop and caramel custard aromas. Vibrant entry full body with buttery toffee, lemon marmalade, smoky hop flavors. A blast of tangy bitter lemon and bittering hops and washes the palate clean. Intense.
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.
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.
87 Lazy Boy IPA, Lazy Boy Brewing Co. (WA). 6.2% ABV (2/07)
Brilliant deep amber color. Buttery caramelized nuts, baked citrus cake and delicate spice aromas. A smooth, frothy entry leads to a dry medium body of tangy citrus rind and smoky, piney hop flavors. Finishes with a touch of smoky earth, lemon grass and pine sap. An interesting, smoky and lightly phenolic, hop roller coaster.
87 Imperial Pale Ale, Garrison Brewing Company (Canada). 6.9% ABV (2/09)
Deep copper Rich toffee and dried fruit aromas follow through on a smooth even entry to roasted nut, baked citrus and spice note. Finishes with a peppery citrus and pine needle-accented fade. A delicious chewy and balanced IPA.
87 Hoppy Otter IPA, Otter Brewery (England). 6.8% ABV (3/08)
Rich copper color. Brown butter, pork fat, sweaty hop aromas. A brisk round entry leads to dryish medium-to-full body of roasted pecan, soy sauce and meat flavors. Finishes with a 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.
84 Saranac India Pale Ale, Matt Brewing Co. (NY). 5.8% ABV (2/07)
Pale amber color. Butter cream, banana taffy and faint earthy hop aromas. A round entry leads to a dryish medium body of caramelized roasted nuts, spice, spruce and custard flavors. Finishes with a baked lemon, piney hop and charred nut fade. Unusual.
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.
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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