On tap at the Redoak (Pint). Let this warm up for a good 2 hours prior to tasting. Arrived a light orangery bronze with a small white collar of foam that was mostly lasting. Strong note of piney hops and stone fruit in the aroma with apricots, nectarines, caramel malts, toffee, marmalade, grapefruit and some resin. Flavor was very similar to aroma with a good piney hop bitterness (not as intense as expected, but very pleasant), caramel malts, toffee, marmalade, apricots, nectarines, mandarin and some resin in the finish. Very well hidden alcohol content, seemed around 5%. Medium bodied with soft carbonation, a quite dry, slightly resinous mouthfeel, an almost oily texture and a great finish. Very well balanced; great hop to malt ratio, that being said it could of done with a bit more hop punch, after all it is suppose to be an “American” IPA.

Tough to pick teh difference between this beer and the IPA. Beautiful white creamy head and thick lacing. Dark orange in colour with an attractive dark amber glow. Big nose of fruity hops and malt sweetness. Very soft and appealing. Seems to step back a gear to taste although the beer was served too cold (is there a common theme here?). More floral hops poke through later and the beer gets progressively firmer and bitter. Much more balanced than the somewhat abrasive IPA.

A fantastic IPA. I am sad I never got to try their english IPA (the original Red Oak IPA) but this beer has perfect strong alpha tastes and is excellently rounded. delicious!