Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA (USA) (Bottle)

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

Bottled sample from gregclow. Pale amber in colour with medium carbonation. Aromas of wildflowers, mild citrus, and a bit of earth. A good whack of bitterness upfront in the mouth, followed by some grassy hop flavors meshing with some slightly sweet crystal malt and a bit of salt. There’s a bit of a British ale yeast fruit component as well. Unfortunately, it gets too dry on the finish and there’s an odd spent hop or maybe overly astringent/grainy malt element that ruins the experience. I would rate this one higher if it wasn’t for the finish.

Amber,huge rock off white head.Salty astringent nose. Light malt,medium hops, long finish. Light body, somewhat gassy Not much here

50 cl bottle. Amber with an off white medium head that shows some good lace and settles to a thin layer. There’s a lot of small particles in suspension. Primarily malt based aromas of light caramel and toffee, but no detectable hop aroma that I can appreciate. I do get a faint hint of diacetyl. Medium body and carbonation, mouthfeel is pretty good. There is certainly a smoky, roasted, earthy flavor that dominates everything else. Maybe my mind is playing games with me, knowing this is from Scotland, but I swear it tastes like it’s been smoked with peat or something. Finishes barely dry, but this certainly has a malt dominant character, and lacks the refreshing bitterness of a good IPA. In fact, this seems like a totally different beer than what Papsoe describes in his rating of a few days ago. There is no bottling date, and I’m wondering about the age of this.

Bouteille de 500 ml achetée à la LCBO d’Ottawa (ONT). Arôme: Odeur de caramel fruité. Apparence: La couleur est cuivrée avec une moyenne densité de bulle. Présence d’un moyen col mousseux et d’une large dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût d’orange et d’écorce de citron. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement crémeuse. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Présence d’agrume en arrière goût. (Rating #844)

Strange sour honey aroma is generally more pleasant than the smokey bitter beef jerky flavor on this brew. I know the british invented the style, but they are not to be trusted with an IPA.

Smells of hard candy melted and burnt on the stove. Pours dark amber with minimal head. The hops could not over power the malty blast of this beer. Tastes of sweet mud. European hops must give it that earthy taste, but the malt is let loose to dominate.

(Bottle 50 cl) Clear, pale amber golden with a white head. Lightly citrusy aroma. Fairly light-bodied. Some malt but overwhelmingly dominated by fairly dry and citric hops that leave a solid dose of bitterness. 080107

Bottle bought at Strandens Øl og Vand in Copenhagen. Slightly hazy pale colour with a nice average white head. Aroma is fruity, bit citric, malty. Flavour is dry and crispy, fruity, with good hops, maltiness and some sweetness.