Rocky River I.B.U.sive

Backlit, a deep golden body appears dense as it stifles the upward motion of low carbonation. Nevertheless, a very thin but remarkably well-retained near-white head sits atop the body. The aroma is distinctly Summit and Simcoe hops, red grapefruit, onion and garlic notes slithering outward in a walled citric attack. Backing pine, Blood orange and light toasted grain create structure and a wavering backbone. Resin subdues otherwise potent alcoholic notes. The flavor is moderately to highly bitter, sweetness is medium-high as well and seems somewhat removed from the taste en masse. Pine notes are prolific, however unlike the ususal characteristics they provide in an IPA, acidity is low. Astringency is mild. Light floral notes fade into and out of the flavor at the climax of each sip. The finish is very highly bitter, resiny and fruity, sweet caramel maltiness and grapefruit lingering, as well as a little bit of pepper. The mouthfeel is modestly carbonated, smooth, oily, rigid, prickly too; all over the place. Tasty but not quenching. Astringency near the end is too high, sweetness is too much throughout, hops used are very boring and one-dimensional in this recipe. Despite shortcomings, it’s tasty and worthy of any session requiring a bitter kick in the teeth.

Courtesy sliffy. Pours a clear, glowing copper color with a small light tan head. Pretty nice looking. Smells of strong citrus hops, some pine, grapefruit, and mildspices. Nice, seemingly balanced aroma. The tste is of very strong bitter hops as well. It had some level of maltiness to it to balance it out somewhat, but the hops were obviously overpoering. I get a little citrus in the flavor, but not much. The bitterness seems to have masked it. Seems to be well crafted and solid. Nice IPA.

(Hand Bottled, courtesy of Sliffy) Pours a clear copper body with a medium-sized beige head and nice web-like lacing. Aroma of caramel, citrus, light pine, and some flora. Has a very interesting citric hop profile with some melon and a touch of cocoa. I would be interested in the hops used in this IPA. Quite nice.

Tap at the brewpub. Aroma: Big whiff of citrusy and piney hops with some more subtle notes of floral and spice. Biscuity and caramel malt notes help support all that hop. Appearance: Reddish amber in color and clear. Off-white head was full and foamy with good retention. Fair lacing. Flavor: Some light bicuit and moderate caramel malt notes upfront. Hops kick in strong with pine, citrus and mango, resin and grass, and some light floral. Strong bitterness is balanced by a light lingering sweetness. Finishes dry with some bitterness carrying over. Palate: Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Overall: Very much a ’west coast’ IPA. Definitely leaning towards the IIPA side, too. Great beer and packed with hop flavor and aroma.

On tap @ Rocky River: Pours a clear copper color with an off white head. Aroma, herbal and grassy with some pale malts, and spicy notes. Flavor, a nice fresh piny and floral hop flavor, some subdued pale malts, this is a very hop forward IPA. Finishes with a nice soft carbonation and a good piny and floral bitterness to it. Very good.

Copper pour, small white head. Huge aroma of citrus hops. Flavor is citrus hops, pine and floral. Good crystal malt backbone but not sweet. just balance. West Coast all the way. I’m guessing 2-row, crystal, and all hops. Good aroma, lots of hop flavor and low on bitterness. Straight hops and good stuff.