Monte Carlo Jackpot Pale Ale

Formerly brewed at Monte Carlo Brewpub at the Monte Carlo Casino
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Las Vegas, Nevada USA

(12 oz bottle: Obtained in trade with goldtwins, thanks Larry!) Not expecting much here. I’ve been to Vegas. It’s not a town for fans of good beer. But you know, this isn’t bad at all. It has a bright hoppiness that is in solid balance with the sweet, bready malt backbone. Not that the hops are all that bitter, but the malts aren’t overly assertive either, so balance is easily achieved. Fairly fruity too, with orange citrus standing out. The nose is less enjoyable, with the light malt and hops being invaded by some slightly stinky funk. And actually, as the beer warms up a bit, a bit of funk creeps into the flavor too, and begins to detract from the flavor. Medium body, and fairly well carbonated, and given the mass of small bubbles rising slowly through the beer, I expected the carbonation to be too forceful. Bright amber in color, and it’s cloudy enough that I can’t see through this beer at all. Off-white head pours on the small side, and fades to a lumpy, thin layer. Pretty tame for an IPA, and arguably not even in the category, but it’s pleasant and drinkable enough.

Bottled sample: Orange in colour with aromatic notes of spice and mild orange. The carbonation level falls somewhere between low and medium. A lot of bready malt flavor in this one, with a bit of C-hops. There’s a good amount of bitterness, but not quite enough to balance out the sweet malt. No surprises here.

Bottle. Orange amber in colour. The aroma was of light citrus hops, caramel malt sweetness. The flavour was a bit on the sweet side with some citrus hops and balanced with malt. Bitter mouthfeel, medium body, medium carbonation. Finishes with a medium lingering bitterness. Not bad at all.

Poured from the bottle (into a plastic Coyote Ugly cup)@the casino: Light amber color with a small white head. Aroma is light citrus fruity. Flavor is sweet malt up front with just a light hoppy finish. More British like than an Amercian IPA. I would have scored it higher as a Pale Ale.

Bottle from Goldtwins, thanks for the state Larry! Medium amber in color, when opened this gave a less than energetic PFFT and doesn’t really form a head to speak of. Aroma is pleasantly hoppy and a touch of caramel can be found also. Medium bodied and very flat, tends to be a bit clingy. Ample hop bitterness and a fair malt backbone. Decent, but the lack of carbonation was a flaw.

clear orange colour. aroma of light hops, orange and talcom powder. orange and flowery flavours. pithy finish. overall a bit light.

Fresh, light and hoppy aroma. Clean. Gold, copper. Earthy hops, clean standard IPA. Not bad.

Copper, with no head. Unexpectedly sweet and malty for an ipa, smooth palate without much hop bite..not a bold ipa but not a bad one either.