IPA Reviews
A craft using hops added primarily in the boil. Depending on when they are added in the boil will determine flavor and bitterness. This style results in a lower ABV. 5 to 7% (maybe a bit higher) Tip: Turn can upside down for 5 minutes for blending
Finback (NY) Same Team IPA 6.5%
2 hops ( Nelson & Moutere)
3 sip rule .... Neutral fruit aroma with backend grapes notes. Holding the sip flavor is immediately noticed & then receds to earthy pine bittering. Blending occurs in medium carbonation at the end of each sip. Nelson will provide grape notes with the pine/citrus layers that balance out the offering.
No one aspect ebver takes dominance as much as both hops contribute to an enjoyable IPA.
IPA & DIPA fans with a nod to our WC Brethren.
Hop Butcher (IL) Square in a Circle in a Square IPA 7%
3 hops ( Citra, Anchovy & Krush)
Turn the can upside down for 5 minutes to blend. Tropical fruit aroma. Semi soft body & medium carbonation invite bright tropical & fruit flavor contributions of all hops. Immediate bittering is noted receding when sip is held. While both aspects will vie for dominance through each sip flavor wins out mid sip with both settling for center stage at the end.
A nicely matched set of hops that blend & balance well.
IPA, Hazy & DIPA camps will enjoy.
Vitamin Sea (MA) The House Always Wins IPA 6.5%
1 hop (Nelson)
Light neutral aroma. The equivalent aspect upon entering the offering in a soft body & minimal carbonation. A layer of nuanced earthy is noted while flavor aspects of Nelson take hold. Soft grape & white wine notes fill every sip start to finish. Holding the sip enhances the entire craft. This will be consistent throughout the entire offering making a well balanced craft enjoyed further in a frosted glass.
All camps should give this a try. A good start for new fans
South County (PA) All Nelson IPA 6.5%
1 hop (Nelson)
Kettle, whirlpooled & dry hopped.
Grape wine aroma with subtle earthy notes. Grape nuanced & light bittering begin & balance immediately moving into a more flavored path in a soft body & light carbonation. Semi dry wine aspects permeate every sip & flavor is enhanced as the offering warms.
Using all 3 processes to create the craft allows for all aspects to be completely enjoyed in a well done 1 hop craft.
IPA, DIPA primary. Other camps should give this a try.
Tired Hands (PA) TDH Death Tripper
1 hop (Galaxy)
A thick, soft body begins the offering. A semi dry bittered essence mixes into the above remaining through multiple sips . Flavors of citrus & subtle pineapple come forward by sip 3, dominant but muted. Both aspects will be companions from here on throughout each sip.
Colder was much preferred for total enjoyment
Dancing Gnome (PA) Simcoe Jam IPA 6.8%
Dirty/fruited aroma in that order. Medium carbonation & a soft body where flavors set up base with orange & citrus notes. A sweet nuanced note ends each sip. This offering is more "tart" than bitter adding to it's appeal.
all aspects remain in place start to finish. Colder was preferred as this goes semi dry as it warms.
Regardless a well done craft all the way around.
DIPA & IPA camps with a nod to Hazy fans.
Montauk (NY) Wave Chaser IPA 6.4%
4 hops (El Dorado, Azacca, Chinook & Columbus)
Aroma is lightly dank & fruited which will not be an indicator of the future.
Crisp body & medium carbonation. The predominant flavor is a light grape note that's consistent start to finish. Light bittering blends & balances at sip 3. Other flavor aspects will shyly appear but grape dominates & remains the top aspect in the offering.
A well done mix of WC & IPA hops with no one top dog. A hybrid that's very approachable at any temp
Jack's Abby (MA) Modern IPA 6%
3 hops (Citra, Galaxy & Mosaic)
3 sip rule ...
A light tart nature starts & remain consistent. Aroma is earthy & fruited. Bittering begins the offering in medium carbonation. A crisp IPA body will promote future flavors of orange & Citrus. Mosaics earthy aspects return at each sip end balancing out each one. Once flavors appear they remain constant.
Lighter than some IPA's But clean, balanced & well blended for IPA & WC camps mostly
Bissell Bros (ME) Substance Ale 6.6%
6 hops (Falconers Flight, Centennial, Apollo, Eureka, Chinook & Simcoe)
Lots of WC hops take the stage in a light fruit aroma. Light carbonation to start in a soft body. Flavors are multiple influenced by each hop & blend continually in medium bittering which is present start to finish.
All aspects from flavor to aroma are enhanced further in. Balance is established.
A busy mix of hops that usually become "Complicated" but in this instance are done well.
IPA, WC & DIPA camps
Vitamin Sea (MA) Wild at Heart IPA 6%
Brewed with Hallertau, Spalter & Saphir hops.
Mixed tropical/citrus aroma. Light tart beginning. Flavors lean more toward a citrus dominant craft letting tropical notes provide a back drop. Semi soft body & light carbonation allow hops to shine. All aspects are enhanced in the beginning & mid sip & fade toward the end. Each sip provides more blending & balance as you go.
A well rounded craft utilizing an interesting mix of hops not normally thought of in this style.
IPA/WC/DIPA
Tonewood (NJ) Mono Citra IPA 6.5%
1 hop (Citra)
Aroma is pure Citra influenced with fruit notes & light layered bitter aspects.
Soft & lightly bittered to start. Flavors of orange & other citrus blend into the offering immediately & remain steadfast & dominant from there on. Blending & balance are exactly what you'd look for.
The soft & light nature of the craft will be enjoyed by IPA & DIPA fans with Hazy fans possibly weighing in as well. All aspects enhanced as it warms a bit. A well done offering.
Mast Landing (ME) Fresh Powder DDH IPA 6.5%
3 hops ( Pacific Sunrise, HBC 630 & Simcoe)
Fresh fruit aroma multiple in aspects. A very soft body & clean presentation. Lightly tart which will add to the craft later. Flavors are a mix of subtle tropical, orange & berry that blend well. Carbonation is low as is bittering allowing the tart aspect to provide balance. DDHing is always key to flavor & this craft is no exception.
A refreshing "Deck" beer ready for warmer weather & gets better as you enjoy
IPA, Hazy & DIPA camps
Hop Butcher (IL) Mosaic Traveling Scientist IPA 5.75%
1 hop (Mosaic & mosaic Quantum)
Quantum is simply an extract of the hop giving more flavor profiles & less waste. Total fruit aroma & soft in nature. As well, a soft body introduces earthy layers that will balance & blend into floral notes & flavors of orange & backround peach so subtle you must look for it. Dominance start to finish is with flavor. Balance is just right with a very light finish in this craft.
Multiple camps will enjoy the offering.
Sloop (NY) Green Islands Tropical IPA 6.5%
A dank, tropical aroma invites you into medium carbonation & a soft oat body. Multiple tropical deep flavors will dominate the offering blending into light bittering that provides balance. All aspect embrace the body start to finish.
A complete tropical IPA that can appeal to those fans
Founders (MI) Mosaic Promise IPA 5.5%
1 hop (Mosaic)
All contributions of this hop are on display in aroma those being earthy & fruit.
The same will hold true in each sip with an immediate blending in a semi soft body & medium carbonation. This will be a constant through the offering. No one aspect will dominate as much as give you a complete picture of Mosaic in a genuine IPA.
IPA fans with the possibility of WC camps.
Tired Hands (PA) Death Tripper IPA 6.7%
Galaxy hop
Nicely fruited aroma of pineapple invites you in. Bittering is the initial aspect. Holding the sip will bring out flavors that seem multiple those being pineapple, peach & citrus.
While bittering remains consistent every sip produces more in flavor wrapped in a soft oat body with minimal carbonation & ends in well blended balance.
The appearance of several flavors lends itself to possible other hops. Regardless, it is a well done IPA. NEIPA & DIPA camps will also enjoy
Burlington (VT) Little Wizard IPA 6%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
3 hops (Simcoe, Idaho 7 & Chinook)
Earthy dominates the aroma. Initial bittering that blends into flavors of orange, citrus & tropical contributed by each hop. A semi soft body & medium carbonation.
Bittering remains a dominant feature with aspects of pine & herbal notes again contributions from all hops. Blending occurs further into the offering.
A soft & somewhat "Pale" IPA in aspects
Dancing Gnome (PA) Pounce IPA 6%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
2 hops (Citra & Mosaic)
Aroma is fruity & earthy in that order. Softer body keeps hop flavors of orange & citrus as a focused aspect that surrounds the earthy layers. Lightly tart throughout. Bittering & carbonation do play a role but always remain more a layer as well.
Even with being an IPA brewed solely in the boil balance is very clean & well done in all aspects.
Dancing Gnome (PA) Kahu IPA 6.2%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
Simcoe, Strata & Cryo pop)
A grape wine like aroma.
A dry beginning that disappears almost immediately. Hold the sip & release the flavors of both hops. Orange & berry appear in medium carbonation & a light soft body. As warming occurs flavors are enhanced. Strata as usual will give each sip end a funky kick down the hatch, though not as noticeable as past offerings. Balance & blend are well done again.
Dancing Gnome (PA) Gravel Grinder IPA 6.6%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
3 hops (Simcoe, Citra & Mosaic)
Earthy / fruit aroma in that order. An interesting blend of Bittering & Earthy enters the sip immediately creating an interesting & continuing layer mixing into medium carbonation & body. Flavors of orange & soft citrus appear in the sip as the offering warms taking center stage. That said, balance remains complete through each sip.
All hop aspects are revealed in this craft including yours making a craft for all camps.
Vitamin Sea (MA) Backstage Pass IPA 6%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
No hop info.
Lightly dank tropical aroma. Higher carbonation & a soft body introduce white wine flavor aspects that blend into mild bittering & tropical/citrus notes. All mix well & retain their identities throughout the sip. Carbonation recedes further in as a nice balance becomes the dominant feature.
Offering is tropical in nature overall & well crafted for those fans as well as other style camps.
Weldwerks (CO) Goth Umbrella Black IPA 8%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
5 hops ( Citra, Columbus, El dorado, Lemondrop & Talus)
With a stouty aroma you enter into the offering 7 find bittering & malt flavors at the door. Present underneath are notes of multiple flavors that while initially muted keep forcing their way upward as the offering warms. From aroma to flavor they weave into the craft but never gain dominance as much as create balance. All aspects are presented in time as temp variates. Stout & IPA fans only.
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Hop Butcher (IL) Tree Flat IPA 6.7%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLTE TIME
3 hops ( Simcoe, Amarillo & Idaho 7)
Lightly earthed aroma with subtle fruit notes
Flavor greets you with pineapple & orange in minimal carbonation & a light crisp body. Bittering lies below helping balance the bright full flavor aspects. Body promoted the entire sip which ends semi dry.
A nicely crafted IPA with multiple aspects that play well together.
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Founders (MI) Red Sweater IPA 6.5%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLTE TIME
3 hops ( Chinook, Cascade & Centennial)
All are WC Hops. Very neutral aroma Malts & light bittering greet you into a different style it seems. Sweet flavors flavors are invited into the blend further in & warmer enhances the same. Lightly resinous throughout regardless of temp but colder this was more of an influence in the craft.
A nice weave of 2 styles closely related. WC influenced but able to remain in the IPA camp
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Vitamin Sea (MA) Atlantic Sunset IPA 6.3%
2 hops (Citra & Pacific Sunrise)
Tropical fruit aroma. Medium carbonation & a soft body help citrus & tropical flavors begin immediately. Both vie for dominance but Pacific Sunrise wins out with tropical flavor being dominant. A note of spice at each sip end creates a bit more balance.
With very little bittering this could be considered a hazy IPA as well with nuanced NEIPA influences making it a craft for multiple camps.
Fast Fashion (WA) Hot Pizza 7.2%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
3 hops ( Freestyle Motueka, Cascade & Anchovy)
Woody Motueka aroma. Extremely soft body & light carbonation. Highly tropical in flavor with light spiced notes & a woody bottom. As you venture further in the hops blend & balance.
While no one aspect creates a signature in this offering hazy fans will find a creative new offering.
As cold as possible provides full benefit of hop contributions.
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Vitamin Sea (MA) In the same Boat IPA 6.2%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
2 hops (Citra & Peacharine)
3 sip rule ...
Thick fruit aroma. Light dry start with light to medium bittering in a somewhat tart but soft body. Flavors are elusive until "sip 3" when the clouds part & reveal peach & orange that remain in the blend going forward. Sip ends with a spice nuance.
Offering remains lightly dry throughout but never enough to overwhelm the essence of this craft.
NEIPA, DIPA 7 IPA camps will want to try. Nicely done.
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KC BC (NY) Werewolves of Wall ST DDH IPA 7.2%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
2 hops ( Citra & Motueka)
Mixed fruit & woody herbal aroma compliments of both hops.
Soft body & light carbonation opens the door to citrus orange & the same herbal notes with flavor being forward throughout. Motueka provides the balance with Medium Bittering never overwhelming flavor which floats to the top on every sip. Lightly tart with a soft "holding the sip" ending.
All camps may want to try this craft.
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Lucky Cat (PA) Residue of Design IPA 6.5%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
No hop info
Lightly dank fruit aroma. Light carbonation. Body creates an environment for flavor to become the forward aspect after an initial bitter start. Berry is the dominant flavor contribution with subtle apricot notes mixed in. A light spiced ending for good measure adds to the offering.
A bit assertive at times but not enough to become a primary factor.
An IPA with a muted West Coast influence.
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Thin Man (NY) Sci-fi Hamster Wheel IPA 6.6%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
3 hops ( Galaxy, Simcoe & Citra)
Immediate flavor forward aroma. Higher carbonation & a soft backbone begin the offering. Flavors burst out when holding the sip. Orange, peach & pineapple mix perfectly into the beginning aspects & mellow the craft. Bittering, while consistently noticeable surrenders to flavor.
Well balanced craft & crushable at 6.6%
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Surly (MN) Axe man IPA 7.2%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
2 hops ( Citra & Mosaic)
3 sip rule ...
Dank aroma of fruit. Very hop forward. Carbonated & bitter to start (3 sip rule) Crisp WC body begins to bring forward Citra flavors that mix into what is becoming an earthy base. All hops were used in the boil helping aspects balance further in.
Feels like a west coast which is a distant cousin of an IPA but it's a true IPA. Either camp will enjoy this deep, dank craft
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KC BC (NY) Aquaham DDH Hazy IPA 7.7%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
4 Hops (Citra, Nelson, Galaxy & Vista)
Aroma is a mixture of hops contributions. An herbal beginning somewhat tart. Body helps soften this into flavor aspects of orange, grape & peach that float through each sip dominating the offering going forward. Vista provides the balance with an herbal tea notes behind the above.
Well done blend of all hops
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Dewey (DE) Posted on the Coast IPA 8%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
3 Hops (Rakua, Motueka & Newzilla )
Dominant & bright aroma backed up by an herbal essence. Pillow soft body, light carbonation plunges you into a burst of multiple fruit flavors tropical, orange & berry in nature. Mixing into this tapestry are woody, herbal notes that are balanced & remain in the backround of the offering. Each sip ends with a light pleasant spiced nuance.
Higher ABV than most IPA's. This craft will appeal to multiple camps.
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Drekker (ND) The H is Silent IPA 6.9%
SO MANY BEERS SO LITTLE TIME
4 hops (Nelson, Nelson Cryo, Superdelic & Rakua)
Nelson influences aroma with a woody Rakua note. As well, Nelson gives us a white wine flavor beginning slightly dry & weaves into full flavor notes of grape & berry ending back into initial impressions & an herbal aspect. A soft body & light carbonation gives hops the freedom to control the offering. Bittering is provided as a balance.
A nicely crafted IPA for most camps.
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Vitamin Sea (MA) Four the Shore 6.17%
4 hops (Citra, Citiva, Simcoe & Nectaron)
3 sip rule ...
Tropical fruit aroma. Soft body & light carbonation with initial bittering. Lightly tart until sip 3 when flavor contributions kick in to produce peach, orange & tropical notes.
A nuance of coconut towards each end sip refreshes & dissipates as quickly as it appeared.
All aspects blend well & work well a bit colder.
This craft also leans into the realm of NEIPA & hazy offerings making it a choice there as well.
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Mast Landing (ME) Factory Fiction IPA 6.5%
3 Hops (Mosaic, HBC630 & Chinook)
HBC 630 Imparts multiple fruit flavors greatly enhancing that aspect.
A Mosaic earthy HBC 630 fruit aroma . The soft body & light carbonation creates a platform for all involved flavors those being orange & a complex array of peach, cherry & berry. Bittering weaves through each sip balancing out the offering.
Interestingly all temps create a different view of this craft each unique & honest.
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Nepenthe (MD) Grimoire IPA 6.1%
3 hops (Citra, Citra cryo, Krush, Krush Lupomax & Pink)
Earthier dry aroma possibly from Pink Boots. Balance is right from the start. Bittering & flavor blend together. Flavors range from orange to multiple citrus compliments of the cryo & lupomax additions & float in the backbone with light carbonation. Herbal & light spiced notes make an appearance late. Colder was preferred. A bit hazy but an IPA in all aspects.
A most intriguing Name for an IPA ... Look it up. It fits
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First State (DE) Hex Theory 6%
8 hops ( Strata, Citra, Amarillo, Trident, Simcoe, Centennial, Warrior and Apollo)
Grapefruit aroma neutral in nature. Mixed flavors appear when warmer and blend into the IBU which is on the higher side. A note of spearmint appears into this complex weave of hops..
So many hops produce to many aspects to go into. It's enough to say this craft blends flavor and bittering and balances all to an end that is satisfying. Many of these hops are used in WC style but this craft maintains its IPA values