Summit India Pale Ale

Brewed by Summit Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
St. Paul, Minnesota USA

Garnet colored with a sizeable white, frothy head; significant lacing down the glass. Aroma of hops and citrus and actually a bit of malt. Fairly sweet flavor, with the typical bitter, hoppy back end; lingering finish is a bit too burnt. Medium body; moderately sticky. I’m not a huge fan of this beer (namely because I’m not very much into IPAs), but I’m surprised it’s not rated higher than 3.2.

Pours a clear dark amber color with a medium thick beige/orange head that has pretty good retention. Minimal lacing except toward the bottom of the glass. Aroma of citrusy hops and pine. Medium-bodied with a nice hoppy and nutty flavor, with a decent malt foundation. The finish is hoppy and lasting, with a bitter aftertaste. This beer is not trying to blow anyone’s mind but it is a good example of a well-made entry of the style.

Bottle. Poured a dark amber with a small frothy off white head that mostly diminished. Picked up a light bread aroma along with some caramel and light pine. Medium bodied with a watery to slight oily texture soft carbonation. Picked up notes of grapefruit, grain a slight malt sweetness and some salt. Finish was slightly bitter and somewhat salty. Overall a decent domestic brewed IPA from a larger than average specialty brewer.

Bottle. Poured a clear amber with an average white head that diminished slowly. Crisp hoppy aroma. Medium body with a slick texture. Good balanced hop and citrus flavor with a moderate bitter finish. Drinkable.

(12 oz bottle: Obtained in trade with goldtwins, thanks Larry!) I’ve had this in my cellar for about three months, but there’s no date stamp on the bottle. I say this because this is quite the malty IPA, sweet and very caramely, somewhat earthy too, but pretty light on hops in general with only a moderate bitterness picking up in the finish. That’s not to say it isn’t an enjoyable brew, it’s just a malt-driven IPA. The nose is rather on the earthy and malty side as well; not much in the way of hops here. Medium "plus" body shows a good solid mouthfeel well into the finish. Carbonation is fairly gentle, letting the caramely maltiness stick on the palate without interference. Very cloudy and deep ruddy amber in color, capped by half an inch of creamy, off-white heading. Retention is average, the head gradually fading to a wide ring, and patchy lacing is spread around the glass. Not enough flavor of fresh hops here, but I like beers that accentuate the malt too, so I find this beer quite enjoyable.

Medium citric hop aroma with a touch of biscuits. Mild floral and citric hop flavors integrate seamlessly into a biscuity sweet malt palate, light bitter finish. A Britishy IPA for sure. Amber color, a touch of red, med head but excellent lacing.

From the bottle.

Pours a light amber with a reasonable head; aroma and flavor are a relatively laid back, but pleasant enough, flow of bitter hops, more of a Canadian interpretation than e.g. a Pac NW IPA. The mouthfeel is good if not outstanding; this is a reasonable beer for drinking though by no means a standout.

I’ve started to like hops a little more than I used to. The hops are definitely present in this brew, but not too overwhelming, and so a rich pleasant maltiness also comes through. I agree with the others who say its not quite like a typical IPA, i.e., not as dominant with the hops flavor. I happen to like it the way it is. Has a nice thick head, and a rich consistency. Very enjoyable, high quality brew.