Big Rock (India) Pale Ale

Brewed by Big Rock Brewery
Style: English Pale Ale
Calgary, Canada

Ech. Not truly terrible, but Jesus, it was so bland. So, so offensively bland. I’m sorry, but IPAs are supposed to be dark and taste of hops and bitterness, NOT be a lager in a different bottle. Boring stuff, no inspiration. An insult to IPAs.

Found in the bargain bin at the LCBO. Pours a clear light copper colour with a medium bubbly head. Aroma is kinda grassy, malt and a bit of hop. Sweet caramel taste wiith citrus. Not what I’d call an IPA, too thin of a body also. Overall, not bad but nothing I’d want to rush out and get

Sent as a part of BIF 13 (from hell) package by drewbage, this had the potential of being a decent brew, as I generally like the style. The beer poured with classic IPA look, orange amber body, and a creamy off-white head leaving lots of lace. The aroma was very subdued, with earthy English hops, and light notes of alcohol. The taste was very bland, with a caramel sweetness, hop bitterness, and citrus twang in very light proportions. The mouthfeel was crisp and dry. This appears to be representative of the school of thought, that IPAs were traditionally brewed extra strong for the ocean voyage and diluted after getting to India. This pretty much tastes like an American Double IPA mixed with equal parts water. I prefer for them to hold the water and pass the beer to me straight from the ship.

Clear golden yellow with fine white head. Barnyard nose? with corn notes and faint hops. Light weight on the tongue with a quick marco brewed finish. Tastes of corn, malt and water. No need to try it again!

Not really an IPA, more of an EPA by North American style norms. Appearence is quite fizzy, orange colour. Aroma is slightly hoppy, flavour is charaterised by English style malt flavours: somewhat sweet and grassy. OK. Bottle.

IPA? I don’t think so. Color is fine, a lighter amberish glowing hue with a firm one finger high head of white foam, leaves some drippy lace. Smell is musty grass, slightly sweet with a bit of a hop and malt note, but overall musty sourness, not to pleasant, sorry to say. Taste is a little bit sweet of malt and grains, musty as well, but weak and thinned out. Hardly even a pale and non compliant to being an IPA. Where’s the hops already? Feel is light, thin, pale, and watery, drinkable, nah, passable, yah. Sorry Big Rock, you’re not so big here.

Clear amber. Off-white foam. Malty, candy-ish aroma of caramel & toffee w/ notes of orange. Juicy feel. Flavour is malty & slightly fruity (apples, grapes) w/ some earthy, citrusy notes.

This one stings. A not altogether smooth IPA, too malty and too stingy on the actual ale. A shame really.