Ramapo Valley Indian Pale Ale

Deep amber coloured body with a strong copper tint and a nice tan head that tops the beer nicely and stays afloat for quite a while. Aroma of malt, toffee, nuts and a decent amount of hops. Medium-bodied; Strong chewy taste of malt, caramel and a fresh dose of hops. Aftertaste full of hops and pine cones, along with some alcohol, nuts and even a pit fruit or two...or a raisin. Overall, a nice IPA - a bit malty and full-bodied to be refreshing in the summertime, but all-in-all, good hops and a good malt balance. I sampled this twelve ounce bottle purchased from Oliver’s Beverage in Albany, New York on 18 September 2006.

Date: 09/01/2006
Mode: Bottle
Source: Trade

clear dark red, big beige head, touch of lace, slightly oxidized malt aroma with light floral hops, nicely bittered dry carmel malt flavor,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 11/20
Rating: 3/5.0
Drinkability: 6/10
Score: *4

Very fresh,just after a rain smell of pine forest,some carmel malt comes in after a while, taste is not quite as hoppy as aroma, hops are battling a confused mix of malt,instead of complex,it tastes a little muddled,almost worth it though just for the aroma,got in a trade and I can’t remember from who

A solid IPA. Could act as a benchmark to rate other IPAs against. No glaring problems, but nothing outstanding either. Nice smooth body with a well balanced amount of hops. My first from Ramapo Valley, and I’ll definitely try a couple more.

Pours slightly hazy dark amber (actually very dark for an IPA). Thick, creamy tan head that lasts for a long time and leaves nice lacing. Aroma is surprisingly malty - sweet caramels laced with piney hops. Hops make a comeback in the flavor, but are very nicely balanced with malty sweetness. Grassy, piney hops abound. VERY well balanced, I enjoyed this a lot.

12 oz bottle via trade with Lou18 - Thanks Lou - Mine was labeled IPA Indian Pale Ale and not Trail Quencher IPA. Pours brown with a offwhite bubbly head. This looks much more like a brown ale than an IPA. Aroma was brown sugar with a touch of hops. Flavor is chocolate malt, caramel, and a touch of hops. Brown sugar there also. Body is medium and not very carbonated. If this is an IPA It is very different than any other I’ve ever tried. I think it was a brown ale.

Brown sugar, lemon, vinous, earthy/grassy hops in the nose. Dirty brown/copper body with a thinnish off white head. Tasted "dirty" - chocolatey malt, earthy/herbal hops, Brown sugar (on the bitter molassess end) - somewhat floral finish. Blech.

Dark copper color with little head. Caramel vanilla citrus aroma. Good body. A bit oxidized. Strong caramel flavor. Grassy hop flavor. Prefer the draught to the bottle.