McEwans India Pale Ale

Brewed by John Smiths (S&N, Heineken)
Style: Bitter
Tadcaster, England

Pours a deep copper brilliantly clear color and is topped by a tan head. It has a grainy sweet aroma and is severely lacking in the hop aroma department. It is like a fuller version of John Courage amber (see my previous review, or don't b/c it is not worth it), which is really not a compliment. There are some caramel notes and perhaps it is a bit bitter in the finish. There is some subtle off putting flavor in the finish; it is a bit phenolic, or like plastic, I can't quite place it. If your only having one make sure it is not this one. Not a bad beer, it is just generally lacking in character.

Light brown/amberish color with little to no head. Flavor was on the sweer side with little hop presence. Tasted somewhat watery. I was disappointed with this one.

Not really an IPA at all. A bit one dimensional, really focuses on malt more than hops. Unusual for a beer that bills itself as an IPA. Strong butterscotch like notes throughout with a moderate hop bitterness.

Bottled. Dark amber with some head. Toffee- and chocolatearoma. Rather fresh and bubbly. Chocolateflavour.

Must remain chilled to be drinkable. Nice dark amber color with good head retention. Nice to look at. Low spicy aroma has some minimal esters. Body is very light with low carbonation. Taste is sweet yeast with only a small amount of malt flavorings. Finishes clean without bitterness. Much lighter than I expected and without the hoppiness.

Poured copper, with a thin fizzy head that didn't last. No lacing. Aroma was a bit sweet. Brown sugar and corn. Mouthfeel was thin and watery. Bland flavor. Mild hops. Really didn't taste like an IPA at all. This was a real dud.

I'm thinking I got a bad batch or my taster is way off. Tastes like alka seltzer. Pours amber brown with white foam head. Aroma is malty. Flavor is astringent, lacking hops, not true to style, lack of about any flavor except strange cigarette-like aftertaste. Club soda-like. I'm thinking they forgot to add something here. Almost the worst IPA I've tasted, although I admit I'm partial to the Cascade hoppy variety.

I love trying U.K. IPAs because it is funny comparing them to American IPAs. Much less hoppy...really more of a basic ale. Reminds me of sam smith. Damn, most ales from U.K. have a familiar interesting and yummy malty taste. Keep it up U.K.