Captain Lawrence Captains Reserve

Brewed by Captain Lawrence Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Pleasantville, New York USA

500 ml bottle courtesy of TheEpeeist. Thanks, Chris! My 1st of 10 new CL ratings waiting in my cellar. Pours a near clear fiery golden pour, a bit ambery orange, but gold dominant, layered, with eggshell white head of huge cakey proportions that laces well, stays large. Aromas are citrusy and florals, pushing more delicate lemon and grapefruit, flowers, some caramel and pale malts, a more mellow DIPA, but certainly inviting with it’s thick soapy head. A touch of tropical and pineapple intercede beneath, as a melange of fruits become apparent, perhaps a touch of soft melon. Initial is medium to lighter bodied, pushing citrusy and floral hops, mellow sweet fruits, and pale malts above thicker and sweeter caramel. Grainy and melon, a touch of soapiness, almost a bit of honey cereal malts. A lighter DIPA that packs on good bitterness and fruity diversity. Lighter, and not overly displaying hops like many other top tier DIPAs, but light, airy, drinkable, displaying it’s flavors in moderation, not just a hop bomb. Pine comes through, reminding me of gin with the citrus qualities complimenting it well. I enjoyed this quite a bit, only qualm might be a bit underbodied.. But I think given the uniqueness of this brew, it goes and dos exactly what it wants to.

Bottle from paulp: pours crystal vlear with a large mousey white head and beautiful lacing. Aroma is full of hops lots of pine and grassiness and a little bit of citrus some good malt sweetness sneeks in. Flavor is very nice a good honey like sweetness goes great with the piney grassy hops again with just a hint of citrus that also seems to add a little sweetness. Very good ipa glad to try it and have another one.

Bright coloured IIPA with a small white head. Solid perfumey hop aroma with a minimal malt sweetness present. Body is semi heavy with light carbonation, not sticky but still a bit tricky for the style. Flavour is very "bright", perfumey and slightly fruity, not as grape and pine oriented as most westcoast examples. Solid brew never the less.

bottle thanks to zath! Pours a light carmel with a tall frothy white head. Toasted malt and citrus hop nose, with some peach notes. Nice sweet malt notes, some bread character with a nice strong hop bitterness that is piney and thick. Mouth is nice and dry, but there are lingering pine notes. Really nice beer, and highly drinkable at 8 percent!

Cask Stillage at the GBBF, Earls Court 04/08/2009 Big pine hop aroma. Golden coloured fruity and very hoppy. Strong in alcohol with a little dryness and woody notes in a bitter finish.

clear orange-y straw with rocky white head and decent lacing deep resinous pine aroma backed by a solid wall of toasted malt, burnt sugar, warming alcohol, and tropical fruit. this is what an IIPA should smell like. flavor is hoppier and more bitter, but still a nice balance of caramel malt, pine needles, and fruit. medium, slightly chewy body with modest carbonation and a long bittersweet woodsy finish.

2009 Bottle - Thanks corey70! Pours a clear lt orange with a large white head...aroma is caramel and citrus zest, some pine resin as well but is certainly more citric in nature, treacle and wild flowers...flavour is similar, lightly sticky malt up front, pineapple and grapefruit, almost herbal...not much bitterness in the mouth but it appears on the finish and lingers...the lack of carbonation makes this one come across a bit heavy and cloying, but interesting overall...

Bottle courtesy of tampabrew. Pours a clear yellow with white head. Aroma is sweet and floral with notes of citrus, grapefruit, honey. Flavor is about the same. Medium body with a silky mouthfeel. Nice ale.