Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA (USA) (Bottle)

Brewed by Belhaven (Greene King)
Style: American Pale Ale
Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland

Not much hop aromas off this at first. The flavors brought a bit of citrus in, then the hops were noticable. But even then they were quite subdued. Nice lemon citrus and touches of grass. Decent for an ale, just not an IPA lovers beer.

In spite of the use of cascade hops, it has more of a british than an american touch. Up front hops, but they remind me more of styrian goldings than cascade. Filtered and/or pasteurized bottled ale. My guess would be that it would have been much more fresh and drinkable if it hadn’t been ruined the industrial way. The result is a middle of the road IPA.

Pours perfect gold with lots of small sorta dark particulate, and a tall off white-straw colored super sudsy head that leaves a really nice lacing. Aroma is herbal and citrus hops, a nice amount of toast, and a nice sweet grainy malt. Flavor is interesting...sweet grainy malt, a hint of caramel...though very little for an IPA or APA, straw, maybe it’s the power of suggestion but I notice a very sweet thistle like floral note, hops are mostly floral and herbal with just a hint of citrus. This beer doesn’t really fit the IPA or APA style very well, whichever it may be technically. Hop profile is very weak to be either. Honestly I am not the most experienced here but it tastes like a weak Marzen with some APA hops thrown in. That being said...it’s not that bad just terrible false advertising.

Hazy orange with an inch-thick white head. Earthy floral hop aroma. Flavor is citrusy and herbal hops with some nice, subtle malt backing it up. Very good.

Belle couleur golden Pas beaucoup de houblon sec rafraichissant Mérite de sen prendre un autre pint

Golden pour, pillowy white head. Fruity pine nose with citrus zest and light spice. Not powerfully hopped, more delicate. The body is rounded with chewy berry fruit flavors and barnyard notes. Perhaps the American IPA has changed my standard but the lack of any hop backbone whatsoever makes this a strange example of the style even from the UK. That said, it is still a drinkable golden ale with some character to it.

wait...is this thing an IPA or an APA??? That would certainly be important in my description. I will go with the bottle, as it states it’s an IPA twice. Twice, like Van Persie having already scored twice against Chelsea today. More please, thank you! The Dutchman is truly flying. The brew has a promising colour and head. But right away, I’ve no nose to really tell on. A little bit of candied hints maybe, but this thing is about as fragrant as glass. Taste is pretty flat, though thoroughly carbonated. Refreshing somewhat, with citrus hints. No hops.....not a hint of hardly any. Perhaps this is why they designate it here as an APA. A little bitter, but for the wrong reasons. More of a normal brew to me. A little malty but I am really disappointed.

500ml bottle from the SAQ as part of a trade for a server cabinet :) The aroma was slightly sweet and hoppy and citrusy Pours a nice light copper amber color nice 2 finger whit head no lacing The taste is crisp and slightly creamy with a nice hop taste nicely carbonated Very refreshing