Diamond Knot IPA

Brewed by Diamond Knot Brewery
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Mukilteo, Washington USA

On tap at the brewpub. Pours a clear deep gold with white head and decent lacing. The aroma is mild with some grapefruit hops and mild malt sweetness. The flavor begins with a quick hit of sweet and caramelized malts before a bolt of grapefruit hop bitterness and faint pine hop bitterness show up in force. Soon after the grapefruit hops turn into sweet citrusy hop flavor that mix very well with the under current of lightly roasted malt sweetness. It ends with a reminder of how the hops were introduced in the beginning of the experience with grapefruit bitterness.

on tap-pours a thin off white head that laces and gold color. Aroma is sweet citrus/grapefruit hops. Taste is sweet citrus/grapefruit hops, bitter, pine, some medium malt. OK/mild carbonation.

GABF 2007 (multiple samples at different days). Pours to a pale gold body with a thin white head. The aroma is buttery malts with only hints of hops. The palate is grassy and husky. Only a slight bitterness. Meh! The flavor is graining for an IPA. Subtle hops if at all. Very bad for an IPA.

(Draught) Pours a clear golden body with an average white head. Aroma of grapefruit, light pine, caramel, and some floral. Flavor of hops (grapefruit, orange, floral) and caramel with a moderately bitter finish.

tap at the GABF. I think I might have to revisit this one. Taste was watery and thin orange and citrus. Very simple biscuit malting and a soapy bitter finish. Eh....

Golden pour small white head some laace. Big crisp hop aroma, very floral, nice and sweet fruits w/ a good amount of caramel. Well coated lightly oily palate. Nicely bitter citrus and dry grass flavor finishes w/ a touch of caramel. Very well done, nicely mellowed.

Draft at the brewery. Fruity, powerful hop aroma, very fresh and juicy with notes of tangerine and peach to be found amidst light touches of toasty grain. Light-medium amber color with a fairly thin head. Flavor is a showcase of the hops, in particular the Columbus, these being pungent and fruity with hints of pine, earth, citrus and spice, and showing a pleasant, grainy maltiness at the finish, which is largely dry and refreshing. Moderately effervescent and gently astringent on the palate, body is medium. This IPA deserves its reputation as being among the best.

Date: December 07, 2004
Mode: Growler
Source: Tasting
Appearance: hazy dark yellow
Aroma: big sweet grapefruit aroma
Flavor: excellent hop flavor well balanced by nice carmel sweetness, light bitter finish

Date: June 21, 2007
Mode: growler
Source: Tasting Pre-RBSG
Aroma: aroma is much less sweet due to some good earthy hops
Flavor: hop flavor is much more subdued, the caramel sweetness is restrained and more earthy hops coming out

Date: September 09, 2009
Mode: draft
Source: brewpub
Score: 3.3 to 3.7
Appearance: hazy copper, fine beige head, drippy lace
Aroma: sweet crystal malt aroma, lots of citrus, fruity orange, touch of orange rind
Flavor: sweet grapefruit flavor, crystal sweetness, fruity citrus, nice orange, just enough bitterness to add some balance

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.7/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **4