Big Boss High Roller IPA

Brewed by Big Boss Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Raleigh, North Carolina USA

(12 oz bottle: Obtained 25-Mar-06 in trade with Jonathan3584, thanks Jonathan!) Citrusy, lightly vegetal and grassy, hoppy nose is pleasant when first poured, but not all that aromatic or interesting, but soon becomes more vegetal, kind of like composting grass, and takes a downturn for me. The vegetal and grassy nature of the hoppiness tends to overshadow the moderate, tart citrus notes. There’s really nothing to say about the generic malt base; it’s just there doing its job. Dusty, chalky flavor and mouthfeel. Fairly acidic and dry on the palate, medium in body, carbonation is about average. Pours a hazy, orange-amber with some particles circulating around in the beer. Quarter-inch tall head is off-white in color and settles to a filmy layer surrounded by a thinnish ring, but lacing is a moth-eaten curtain. This IPA is certainly dominated by hops, but it’s too vegetal and lacks balance, so I don’t really find it all that enjoyable.

This was one of those beers that catch you by suprise. Clear copper color with a moderate off white head. Wonderful grapefruit citris aroma with a semi-sweet herbal note. Flavor is well balanced and hoppy throughout with an interesting twinge of sourness on the finish that is quite appealing.

Hazy amber color with a small taupe head. A hopsack, herbs and horsesweat aromas. Mild orange peels, sweet honey and malt flavors start the parade. Hops flavors sneak out mid quaff with a touch of licorice. Quite strong in herbal in the hops. A quenching IPA that has a mild watermelon rind hint.

This was great experience. The IPA that could be enjoyed at anytime. This was a super experience. It was my first from the Edenton Brewery. The head was frothy but not excessive. The color was a clear gold and inviting. The grapefruit flavors and hops were well balanced. Th bitterness of the hops lingered on the tongue and then faded. This was purchased at the Caboose in Ashland, VA. I will be looking for some of their other brews.

Deep gold, off white head. Citrus aroma dominates. Medium full body, lightly carbonated. Caramel sweetness is quickly overshadowed by bitter lemon and grapefuit. Pretty bitter all the way through, but refreshing and leaving a clean palate.

Courtesy of a fine RateBeerian whom I have quite rudely forgotten. <P> Aroma is slightly Belgian sour with hints of mandarian oranges and vegetal notes. Rich orange color with a slowly diminishing, thumb thick, white head. Fore tastes like MSG laden baby corn with a fairly consistent bitterness through to the finish. More vegetal notes in the middle along with this slightly soured Belgian flavor that is buried behind other flavors. It’s different, but not in a way I find very appealing.

Cloudy light orange color with tiny off white head. Aroma is mostly brett notes, with a tartness and slight vinegar note, along with a touch of cherry and honey. Flavor is slightly tart, bit of herbal hops, with a fairly strong bitterness. An interesting brew. I’ve read there there was likely some brett character in the early IPA’s, but I’ve never tasted one with that character. It’s alright, definitely different, but I think I like the cleaner IPA’s better.

Pours out light brown in color, thick white head that lasts till the end. Taste is somewhat hoppy and malty. Decent beer, one of the better IPA’s I have had from NC. Toward the end of the glass I started to pick up a slight spicy / sweet flavor. Really good, and pretty developed over the course of the full glass of beer. Not bad.