Cape Ann Fishermans IPA

Brewed by Cape Ann Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Gloucester, Massachusetts USA

bottle. Pours a clear, deep burnished copper color, decent inch of light tan head with good lacing and sticking. Aromas of light floral and spicy hops, and plenty of smooth caramel sweetness. Aroma is enjoyable, but understated- some more strength to the nose would be a great improvement. Flavor starts with a nice floral hop bite, middling bitterness that lasts well and coats the palate. Light spicy notes, some pepper. Smooth toasted caramel sweetness that stays tame and smooth. Flavor is definitely not typical for an IPA- verging towards an ESB. But solid and enjoyable. Palate is light and a bit on the thin side, but works very well with the flavor, Superbly easy drinking, very sessionable for an IPA. Overall a solid and enjoyable brew, if not typical for an IPA.

Bottle. Dark amber-copper. Bone colored head with lasting cap. Aroma is fresh grain, caramel malts. The body matches those aromas. Burnt bread crust and lots of malt. Has an onion bread taste, which can be interpreted as bad (sulfur) or just there...for me it’s just there. Smooth quaffable mouthfeel. In spite of flaws has some redeeming qualities.

This beer came in my beer club. Sampled from a 12 oz brown bottle this beer poured a caramel-orange color with a large orange-white head. The aroma was strong fruity and piney hops. The flavor was strong, tangy and fruity with a light nutty undertone and a piney element. The finish was medium length tangy, nutty and fruity. Moderately thick. Well done.

12 oz. bottle. Pours a hazy amber-orange with the thinnest of off-white heads. Strangely enough I had to really try to get that. Floral and perfume notes in a light nose. Low carbonation with a light, watery mouthfeel. Light honey notes, a bit of pine resin, and some floral notes on the palate. Medium bitter finish. Overall, light and quenching, but lacking flavor and depth. A mediocre IPA.

Draught. Dark copper pour with a medium off white head. Aroma of pepper and hops. Taste of pine, nuts and hops with a great sharp finish.

Draft at Craft. Deep copper pour with 1-finger off-white head and good lacing. Nose is caramel malty, piney hops. Tastes very piney, earthy, soddy, with caramel malt, sprucey notes, and biscuity notes. This one just didn’t go down well for some reason, with a unique flavor profile that I don’t think i have ever experienced. Kind of woody and spicy and candyish and indeed a bit peanut brittlish. Weird.

Bottle: Deep copper pour with good clarity and a wispy off white head. Lots of diacetyl, very buttery with popcorn notes and light herbal sweet hop notes and a peanut skin malt note. Slick and buttery- very buttery flavor- popcorn and light peppery resins/candied sweet hop notes mesh with caramelized pale malt, peanut brittle and butter. Too off, perhaps it was just this batch that was diacetyl ridden.

Moderately bubbled head with some lasting time. Leaves ring lace after each sip. Hazy and copper colored. Interesting combination of floral hop and earthy malt from the nose. More malt than most IPA’s. Not what I’d expect, but I kinda like it. The flavor starts with a dryish malt that quickly succumbs to the hop punch. But its a pulled punch, not nearly as bitter as most in this style. If I were guessing, I’d put this closer to British Bitter. Typical body. Still, it’s an attractive beer and easy to drink.