Valley Brew Cobra-Hood India Pale Ale

A golden amber IPA with a thin white head. In aroma, a nice clasy c-hops with light citrussy and pinhey notes. In mouth, nice floral hops melding well with the malt, grapefruit notes. Medium bodied. A good IPA. On tap at brewpub, August 27 2009.

5th of the beer’s ratings. Tap at Valley. What a pleasant surprise. Nose reminds me of centennial hops, actually. Also smells of very tart citrus pith. Flavor is really something: dank-nasty hops, weed, must, then into plum skin, overripe orange, rotting fruit. Finish is bitter like the smell of a dormitory at a debate camp. Unbelievably enjoyable and a real surprise. Cobra-Hood, eh? I bet I know who they asked to name this...

On-tap at the brewpub. Pours cloudy dark orange, almost brown with a very thin white head, specks of lace. Smells subdued earthy hoppy. Tastes bitter and hoppy, very damn bitter in fact. Some sweet malt flavor toward the finish and bitter through the finish as well. Bit of dishtowel flavor as well. Medium body, good carbonation.

1/5/08, 11th and Final Brewery of 07/08 Roadtrip with Bikesandbeer and his girlfriend Jesse. Drove out the way to get to this brewery, which was worth it, really nice people and good food and good brew. Pours orange with an off white ring head. Nose is sweet and hoppy. Taste is sweet and hoppy and nice really lingers in the mouth.

Big nose of hops, hops and MORE hops. Some nice spice and malt notes also come forward. Big mouthfeel that needs to be scraped off of the tongue. Clean and dry finish.

Tap @ The Bistro’s IPA Festival 8/6/05. A cloudy amber color with a nice mint, anise and floral flavor that was quite unexpected. Almost medicinal in aroma. Smooth but not dry, malty but also fairly light.