Casco Bay Carrabassett IPA

Formerly brewed at Casco Bay Brewing (Shipyard Brewing Co.)
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Portland, Maine USA

Bottle - Amber/brown in color with a good white head. Needs more hops; not nearly enough for a decent IPA. Decent drinking beer, but not sure I would buy again.

Thick, white, lasting head on a light amber body. Grassy, herbal hop aroma w/ a light caramel. Hoppy, burnt, roasted malt flavor w/ little fruitiness...very little. Seemingly well balanced, but a little too well for an IPA. Hop flavor is low and there's not much complexity. Bitterness is way to low for an IPA as well. This might work better as an American Amber if it had more crystal/caramel malt character. Body is watery, and it's over carbonated for IPA, as well as lacking alcohol. Again, this might work better as an American Amber.

Prett good IPA. Its fairly balanced for an IPA. Malty. Hops are almost pepperish. Bitter, dry finish.

Thick, foamy white head sits atop a yellow/brown, slightly cloudy color. Aroma is yeasty and hoppy, with a faint but distinctive note of black olive (I know, strange, but I definitely smell it). Flavor is smooth early on, with a hoppy midsection and a medium bitter finish. This is alright overall, but nothing particularly good. Could use some more malt perhaps, or maybe a little sweetness, to balance out the bitter finish.

Ugh. this one was very disappointing. Tasted like dirt and dirty laundry. some hop character, but overwhelmed by ickyness.

Hmmmm, I didn’t like this one all too much. I think my bottle was a little old. Good aroma, nice color, but just a musty taste. Not nearly as good as some other people’s experiences with this brew.

(southern accent here please): i received a calling. yes i did. to provide the ratebeer sactified brethren with the first testimonial for this glorious IPA, praise be to bacchus! i bear the good news gospel that this is a kick ass, uh, i mean, most exalted beer. golden as the grail, some haze. upon tasting, i spoke a curious message in tongues, perhaps some member of the flock could translate: ’yubba dubba doooo’(okay, enough televangist) creamy white upholstery on top is plush and holds up to considerable wear and tear. loquacious aroma of grapefruit, bamboo (y’know, like stuff at the pier one), and yet even some bread notes emerge from a sound underlying malt structure. almost tart, lively carbonation, on the dry side, loooooong pleasing bitter finish. ace beer, one does suspect divine intervention.

Had a few bottles of this IPA prior to warming up the grill. Pours a clear sparkling copper. The generous tight creamy off-white head is fully lasting with good lacing. The fresh clean nose is roasted malt, spicy resinous hops, and the smallest hint of dried fruit, and dough. The brew starts flowery with a moderate acidity and finishes with heavy bitterness. This ale has nice depth and complexity. The finish is long and very rich as I would expect from a good IPA. The medium body is both creamy and lively with a nice dry finish. Very well done.