Freckle Belly IPA
Back Forty Beer Co.

Freckle Belly IPAFreckle Belly IPA
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From:
Back Forty Beer Co.
 
Alabama, United States
Style:
American IPA
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.71 | pDev: 14.56%
Reviews:
28
Ratings:
212
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 03, 2021
Added:
Jul 20, 2012
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  64
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by HoppySailor:
Photo of HoppySailor
Reviewed by HoppySailor from Maryland

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This IPA is brewed about 20 miles from my hometown in Alabama. It is for that reason that I am very skeptical about it. About the only IPA I could find the last time I was back home was Torpedo from Sierra Nevada. Not that Torpedo is bad, but it was the ONLY IPA I could find at all.

When I was told about a local restaurant/brewery offering an IPA, I rolled my eyes. Upon reading some reviews here at B.A., I decided to go to Gadsden, AL and make the purchase. I remain skeptical, but here we go.

12 Ounce bottle poured into a cheap, dollar-store snifter. Bottle says "best before 5/16/13.

A- Pours a hazy copper with about an inch of off-white foam. Head starts to dissipate quickly, lacing is evident immediately. Very nice looking brew.

S- The smell is more malt than hops, with a sweet, fresh-baked bread aroma. There is a slight, and I mean slight, smell of citrus. Otherwise unremarkable for the style.

T- Oh my! The bitterness is right where you want it for an IPA. This is somewhere close to Sculpin or Bell's Two Hearted on the taste. Too bad the aroma is not as impressive. The very first thing I taste is a malty biscuit sweetness, but that is immediately replaced with bitterness of grapefruit and hops. The finish is very bitter, almost like Green Flash. This IPA is more or less a West Coast style, but Bama is on the Gulf Coast and Gadsden is in the mountains, so maybe this is a style of its own.

M- Starts with carbonation bite, but turns oily and soft before/during the swallow. Leaves a bitterness on the back of the throat that makes me feel thirsty for more.

O- I am very surprised and impressed. The last time I had a beer brewed in Alabama, it was brewed in my closet and it made a few people sick. I still have not eaten at Back Forty Beer Co, but after trying their IPA, I might just give them a shot on my next trip down from Baltimore. I hope to see this brew sitting next to DFH and Bells in Maryland sometime soon. It is a great representation of the craftmanship of the folks from back home. I am certainly glad I didnt have to trash it!
Apr 12, 2013
More User Ratings:
Photo of stevoj
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

3.49/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz can at share. Medium golden pour, skin of head. Malty, woody, earthy aroma. Taste turns sweet, more malts with some hops coming in at the finish.
Feb 03, 2021
 
Rated: 4.3 by BoodahMoogle from Arkansas

Apr 28, 2020
 
Rated: 3.96 by TrojanRB from Texas

Nov 16, 2019
 
Rated: 4.05 by markallmon from Tennessee

Aug 31, 2018
Photo of woodychandler
Reviewed by woodychandler from Pennsylvania

3.77/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
My local, in-person trader, tone77, has expressed some CANcern about my backlog, especially as it pertains to ones that he has dropped off for The CANQuest (tm). I am doing my best to plow through & get caught up. Disappointingly, there are many without approved pics & my trusty camera has died! Some are just going to have to wait until I CAN procure a replacement.

From the CAN: "Craft Brewed Liquid Folk Art"; "Recommended Food Pairings[:] Chili peppers[,] Alabama Gulf Seafood[;] Sandwiches"; "This full-bodied India Pale Ale is loaded with fresh hops for a powerful blend of citrus, pine and fruit aromas. The firm malt backbone works well with the bold hop finish that everyone expects from an IPA. Belly up Hop Heads!"

I am ready for some hops & so I beCAN with a Crack! of the vent. I went with a slow, gentle Glug followed by an in-glass swirl to raise just under two fingers of dense, foamy, rocky, tawny head with excellent retention that left behind a load of sticky lacing. Color was a solid Amber (SRM = > 7, < 9) with NE-quality clarity. Nose was very dank and resinous with a caramel malt presence. Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was quite bitter, a lot of pine resin along with some grapefruit and orange peel, plus a dank earthiness, all backed with a caramel maltiness. It was pretty good, although it sat right on the edge of being just a bit too bitter. I CAN't believe that I, of all people, just typed that, but as I CANtinue to grow older, I am having health issues. The one in question here is GIRD & the really bitter beers CAN easily set it off. The CAN did not include an IBU measurement, but I would guess that it was CANparatively high. Finish was dry, bitter and unmistakably an AIPA. Nicely done!
Aug 14, 2018
Photo of TomEfiller
Reviewed by TomEfiller from Alabama

3.89/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a nice darker orange color with a decent head. Smells great with that citra hop you want and tastes very good overall. Mouthfeel has a smooth feel with a sharp finish. Not as hoppy as I prefer but this is a nice go to IPA you should definitely try.
Jul 27, 2018
Photo of Davidstan
Reviewed by Davidstan from Alabama

3.48/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This is an ok IPA. Was hoping for more flavor like their pale ale. Won’t buy again but will continue buying Naked Pig even though i am not big on pale ales.
Mar 11, 2018
 
Rated: 3.23 by shivtim from Georgia

Mar 03, 2018
 
Rated: 3.64 by MGoeltz from Tennessee

Feb 25, 2018
 
Rated: 3.74 by NastyNorseman from New York

Feb 07, 2018
Photo of ordybill
Reviewed by ordybill from Georgia

3.75/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 OZ can into a pint glass. The aroma is bitter hops. The appearance is a semi clear Amber color with a thick medium sized white head. The taste is bitter hops with a crisp finish.
Dec 16, 2017
 
Rated: 3.84 by RAFH from Michigan

Nov 11, 2017
Photo of WoodBrew
Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio

4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I tried this beer on the Robert Trent Jones golf course outside of Huntington, AL. It poured a hazy orangish with white head that left a spotty lace. The scent had hints of bitter citrus peel. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink. The mouthfeel was medium in body with good carbonation. Overall it was a good beer.
Nov 01, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by MTKATL from Georgia

Oct 21, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by jeffthepony from Georgia

Sep 12, 2017
 
Rated: 3.69 by bigedal60 from Alabama

Aug 19, 2017
 
Rated: 4.02 by Beer21 from Florida

Jul 26, 2017
 
Rated: 4.42 by coombski from Maine

Jun 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.82 by JintheHam from Alabama

Jun 06, 2017
Freckle Belly IPA from Back Forty Beer Co.
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 212 ratings