All About Beer Magazine

Beer Talk

Up The Creek Extreme IPA

Published May 2010, Volume 31, Number 2

• Roger Protz

  Up the creek—without a paddle. Sorry, guys, but there’s no way this is an IPA. The color is russet and the aroma is rich with burnt fruits—raisins and sultanas. The style is called IPA because the original beers really were pale, brewed with just pale malt and brewing sugar. Some English brewers used imported lager malts. This beer is dark by English bitter standards, let alone IPA. Bitter hops come through powerfully in the mouth, with rich roasted malt and vinous fruit. The finish is malty sweet and fruity: the hops fail to carry through from the palate. It’s a drinkable and well-made beer but way off beam stylistically.

• Garrett Oliver

  The label says “Extreme IPA” and I ready my tongue scraper. To my surprise, the beer isn’t even vaguely pale—in fact, it has a very nice, dark mahogany brown color. The tan head stands firm. The nose is bright with hops, oranges and sherry. The dark color gives away the flavor—sweet caramel first, followed by a big smack of bitterness and a burst of fruit. The whole thing floats out on a big raft of hops. Okay, two things: (1) this beer has absolutely nothing to do with IPA, and (2) it’s nicely brewed and pretty tasty. Pork tacos, with lots of cilantro and enough chilies to make you think twice.