Tag Archives: American IPA

Terrapin Hopsecutioner

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terrapin-hopsecutioner

Hopsecutioner is an American IPA, and a rather big one, from Terrapin Beer Co out of Athens, Georgia. While it’s styled as an IPA, to my senses, its closer to what I’d identify as as Imperial IPA than a standard IPA. It is heavily hopped (with 6 varieties) but balanced, so lots of malty goodness as well which gives it that strong resemblance to an Imperial. The foam is light and full, but dissipates quickly. The nose has strong orange notes, a bit of caramel, and some licorice. The middle has some slight piney bitterness, balanced with sweet bread dough, orange and some lemon. The lemon comes on more strongly in the finish. The body is medium to heavy and the alcohol is moderate 7.3% ABV. An interesting beer with the alcohol of an IPA, but the complexion of a DIPA.

I give it 3.7 out of 5.

Reformation Atlas IPA

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reformation-atlas

I’ve been spending a lot of time in Georgia for the past year, and as that time comes to a close, I’m going to try to review a few more local Georgia beers before I lose access. Today is Atlas IPA, from Reformation Brewery in Woodstock, GA. It’s am American IPA with lemon and a bit of bread and pine in the nose. The middle is peppery, with lemon and orange, and some orange and pine in the finish. A really nice, well done IPA that doesn’t stand out from the crowd and is an easy drinker. The body is medium, and the alcohol is 6.8% ABV.

I give it a 3.9 out of 5.

Green Flash Le Freak

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green-flash-le-freak

On the bottle, Le Freak is described as a “Belgian Imperial IPA.” The Green Flash website expands a bit, explaining that it’s a hybrid of a Belgian Tripel and an American Imperial IPA. Interesting. The head is beautiful. Big and velvety, and it lasts for minutes. The nose is distinctively Belgian, with loads of fruit. The hybrid nature comes through in the middle with something I might describe as a battle between the sweet and complex Belgian, which is definitely here in full force, and the strong bitter west-coast style IPA that Green Flash is known for, which is just as present. There are spices, cherry, plum, pine, orange and grapefruit all mingling and alternately coming to the fore. The finish has some bitter citrus rind from the IPA, but is more Belgian in character with marmalade and a bit of licorice. The body is quite full and heavy, and the alcohol is 9.2% ABV, about what you’d expect for this style of ale. It’s probably not the next big thing, but it’s a fun mix, certainly enjoyable if you like the component styles, and well executed.

I give it a 4.2 out of 5.

Orpheus Life.Death.Life.Truth.

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orpheous-life-death-life-truth

Orpheus Brewing in Atlanta makes some killer IPAs, and this is one of them. Life.Death.Life.Truth is an American IPA that is bursting with fruit, primarily of the citrus varieties.  The nose has orange and lemon, the middle has a huge hit of grapefruit and is fairly bitter, fading to a sweet finish of sugary orange and sticky pineapple, with another tiny hit of dry bitterness right at the very tail. The body is medium and the alcohol is a robust 7.2% ABV and it’s nicely hidden. I love Orpheus beer, and this is a particularly good one.

I give it a 4.7 out of 5

 

Triple C 3C India Pale Ale

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triple-c-3c-ipa

From right here in Charlotte, Triple C Brewing Company is now canning 3C IPA, a traditional American IPA. The nose is packed with citrus and tropical fruit. The middle has lemon, grapefruit, a bit of ginger and then fades to a finish heavy with pine and grapefruit rind. The alcohol level is in the standard range for this style at a comfortable 6.2% ABV, and the body is medium weight. A very nice American IPA, hoppy without being crazy. It’s well balanced and a beautiful example of the style.

I give it a 4.4 out of 5.

Stone Collective Distortion IPA

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This review is the second 9.3% ABV Stone offering in a row, and this is the Collective Distortion IPA, an Imperial IPA brewed with elderberries and coriander. It’s not just a touch of elderberries and coriander either, their presence is pronounced. The nose is heavily scented with elderberry and citrus. The coriander is a strong note in the middle along with honey and licorice, and the finish brings back the elderberry and heavy grapefruit. This is a sticky, full bodied, full flavor beer. The flavor is unique and strong and I like it, but i don’t love it.

I give it a 4 out of 5.

HogWild IPA

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aviator-hogwild-ipa

HogWild IPA is an American IPA from North Carolina’s own Aviator Brewing Company. It’s pretty standard for the style. The nose has a lot of lemon and is slightly grassy. The middle is lemony again, but with a bit of grain that builds into a bready finish with some caramel, but still some bitter citrus notes, and that citrus is still lemon. It’s a good, simple beer, without anything that makes it particularly remarkable. The body is of medium weight, and the alcohol level is 6.7% ABV.

I give it a 3.8 out of 5.

Stone Go To IPA

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Session IPAs are one of the new hotness categories that are popping up everywhere, and Stone’s entry into this market is To Go IPA.  In true Stone style, the cap decries light, easy-to-drink beer, so while it comes equipped with a session-style 4.5% ABV, it also has all the bold hop flavor we’ve come to expect from Stone.  The nose is bright with loads of pine needles and grapefruit.  The middle has pine resin, and grapefruit rind.  The citrus in the finish morphs into lemon and there’s a little bit of grain that tastes like wheat.  The body of this beer is light to medium as pretty much expected.  This is a fun beer, but slightly incongruous, with the lighter body but the big, bold, bitter flavors.  I liked it a lot, and it’s certainly different, but not really a lawnmower beer.

I give it a 4.2 out of 5.

 

Total Eclipse Of The Hop

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howe-sound-total-eclipse-of-the-hop

Trust the Canadians to come up with an excellent pun for the name of an Imperial IPA of the American style. In this case, it’s the Canadians of Howe Sound Inn & Brewing Company of British Columbia. The nose has faint citrus and pine, and is predominantly malty, reminding me of maple syrup. The middle packs a bitter punch of citrus rind and pine. The strong bitterness is reminiscent of Stone’s Ruination or Green Flash’s Palate Wrecker. The finish is well rounded citrus flavors with some sweet grapefruit and orange to temper the bitterness. The body is medium to heavy and the alcohol is 8.0% ABV which is about what you’d expect for a big Imperial IPA. This is a big, tasty, bitter beer, and more proof that the Canadians know how to brew a beer properly.

I give it a 4.4 out of 5.

Anchor IPA

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anchor-ipa

Anchor Brewing of San Francisco, CA, best known for Anchor Steam, their California Common Beer, also offers an IPA, much like every other ale brewery in the United States at this juncture in time. This is a west-coast style offering and the nose has grapefruit and orange and is slightly floral. The middle has more grapefruit and a bit of grain and pine. The finish is lemony. It’s a nice offering, flavorful and medium bodied with an alcohol content of 6.5% ABV.

I give it a 4.0 out of 5.