Tasted @ the Magnolia Pub and Brewery in SF.<br /> Fruity, light hoppy. Could use more complexcity and more bitterness.

I had just arrived at the pub after a long drive (in traffic). I was ready to quench my thirst with a nice juicy, bitter, IPA. I ordered the spud boy and the lady ordered the proving ground. Spud boy was pretty disappointing. Had some hoppy aroma, mostly earthy. Lots of malt. Flavor was not really dry not really sweet, just middle of the road. Body was fairly thin. Bitterness was minimal. This is REALLY an IPA? I’m left very disappointed (especially after sampling PROVING GROUND).

On tap at the Magnolia Pub. It pours gold with bright white head and decent lacing. The aroma swings more malty with roasted malts mixed with bread and toffee. The flavor starts with both hop bitterness from pine hops and a bit of floral hops as well as roasted malts, bread and faint butter and toffee.

Sampled at Magnolia, June 2007. Clear copper with a white head. Caramel, herbal earthy hops in the nose. Full, malty caramel backbone with plenty of earthy resinous hop bitterness and a hint of noble grassiness. Medium bull body with medium, fine-beaded carbonation. Solid British IPA.

In a dark bar, can’t comment on color. Aroma is raw grapefruit, caramel, more fruity citric hops. Medium bodied, moderate bitterness but just not the flavors I hoped for.