 Drnk_McDermott (1564), Downers Grove, Illinois, USA
Dec 15, 2003 Updated: May 22, 2005
Dec 15, ’03: Served from a beer engine at the Map Room, and at English Ale temperature. Good thin yet persistent head. The hand pull yielded a beer with no bubbles, yet a firm mouthfeel. The IPA hops were actually subdued, nicely balanced between floral and bitter. Somehow I picked up a note of cherries, too. Color is lighter than the usual American IPA, closer to a Vienna or even a Pilsner. I had hoped to get a better impression of Bells than I did at their Eccentric Cafe taproom, and I was right.
Bottled, May 22, ’05. A slightly different experience from a chilled bottle, and no less fascinating. Unfiltered like the other bottled Bell’s, with quite a lot of bits floating around, that don’t detract in the least from the enjoyment. I may have waited a bit too long to open this bottle I got in November, as the floral hops I noted on draft are a little rougher, more piney and northwestern. But just another facet of a fascinating and complex beer.
mwelsh13 (189), Maryland, USA
Oct 9, 2008 12 oz bottle poured medium golden color with a fluffy white head. Floral and citrus hop aroma. Slightly smokey body. Some honey and biscuit in the body with a medium citrus hop bitterness. The body was slightly thin,. Don’t get me wrong, a great IPA, but from all the hype, it was not what I was expecting.
KornDogg (24), Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
Oct 8, 2008 HOPS... mmmm... great earthy flavor with a touch of citrus...orange perhaps... hoppier then most, but not as hoppy as Unearthly... which might be a plus for some
Swolf3 (88), Elkton, Maryland, USA
Oct 7, 2008 Mini keg shared by Robert at Stateline. Thanks for this one. Poured a nice clear amber color with decent head. Strong aroma of citrus fruits, orange, honey, and very nice sweet hop. Flavor is well balanced with pine, fruits, orange, and malt. Finish is very smooth, crisp, and flows right down. Delicious. Thanks Robert!
Gurst (328), Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Oct 7, 2008 Sweet citrus notes: lemon, orange, grapefruit. Some sugar cookie, toast, and flowers. Body is fairly full for an IPA. End is dry, with light alcohol aftertaste.
CapnJazz (13), Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Oct 6, 2008 12 oz. bottle and on tap. Pour is a clear amber orange with a medium head. Bursts of fresh hops and citrus! Nice malty backbone with enough sweetness to carry along the hop presence. Never overbearing or random tasting, very focused, simple, and nearly perfect. Freshness is a key here, but not as much as with some IPA. Just extremely drinkable and enjoyable.
|
