Beer Works Back Bay IPA (Cherry)

Date: 02/08/2007
Mode: Firkin
Source: Brewpub, Fenway

cloudy copper, wispy beige head, touch of lace, creamy body, strong hop flavor balanced by a light cherry character, only a hint of sweetness, long lasting lingering bitter finish,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.2/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **+/4

Cask at the Fenway location - I’m not sure what the bartender was telling me, but this was either the IPA with cherries actually in the cask, or they aged it in a cask with some cherries - either way this beer was pretty awesome - I don’t care for their regular IPA; I find it a bit too sweet - this beer, on the other hand, is much drier, with a nice wood/pine character that really compliments the bitterness - the cherries are fairly prominent in the nose, complimenting the high hop profile suprisingly well - the cherries fall way in the background in the flavor, just making their presence slightly known, mostly during the long, dry, woody hop finish - it’s like the cherries ride the hop flavor rather than the malt backbone, if that makes any sense - the malts are just enough to lend a mild sweetness - I really enjoyed this one.