Catawba CLT India Pale Ale
June 2, 2017Catawba Brewing Co.
CLT IPAMorganton, North Carolina Style: India Pale Ale ABV: 7.2%
CLT IPA was first released in February 2017 to celebrate Catawba’s new Charlotte location.
Juicy fruit and piney notes on the first sniff—very inviting! Pineapple and candied lemons with nose in the glass. Loads of resinous hops on the tongue and just enough malt sweetness to keep it balanced. Finishes with a clean, pronounced bitterness. There’s a lusciousness to the overall package that brings drinkability despite the assertive use of hops. Great cocktail beer in my book, but would also go with anything with a citrus note.
Ray Daniels is the founder and director of the Cicerone Certification Program and the author, editor or publisher of more than two dozen books on beer and brewing. Follow him on Twitter @Cicerone_org.
Awash in tropical flavors from pineapple to warm mango, toasted coconut and vanilla blossoms, what’s not to love about an IPA that is well-executed? A pleasing bitterness that keeps your palate interested but not overwhelmed, a malt bill that adds body and sweetness and just enough sticky quality and booziness to satiate fervent hop heads. I’d like to give the brewers a high-five.
John Holl is the editor of All About Beer Magazine.