Phillips IPA
Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.

Phillips IPAPhillips IPA
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From:
Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.
 
British Columbia, Canada
Style:
American IPA
ABV:
6.5%
Score:
85
Avg:
3.72 | pDev: 15.86%
Reviews:
23
Ratings:
23
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Sep 11, 2010
Added:
Jul 11, 2003
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by DrJay:
Photo of DrJay
Reviewed by DrJay from Texas

3.83/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Clear dark gold/orange colour with a dense, off-white head. Fine lacing and good retention. Good balance of malt and hops in the nose, with plenty of citrus (grapefruit and a little orange) and crackery, toasted malt. Slightly powdery. Pleasant combination of grapefruit bitterness and orange sweetness in the flavour. Some caramel is present as well, which helps with the balance. Bitter, dry finish. Medium body and carbonation with a smooth start and effervescent finish. I liked this one. It works as a balanced IPA.
May 17, 2006
More User Ratings:
Photo of biegaman
Reviewed by biegaman from Canada (ON)

3.82/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
What starts out as a glowing, crystalline amber becomes more like extra chunky peanut butter, both in terms of colour and complexion, with the introduction of the remaining bottom few ounces of the bottle. Its head is tattered like an old dish rag and the few bubbles present don't look fit to do anything about it.

A combination of candied, citrusy grapefruit-flavored hops and earthy, bitter resiny ones ensures both American and English varieties are represented in the aroma. Its disposition - the aggressiveness with which it's hopped - falls somewhere in between; the bouquet is unabashedly effervescent but doesn't exactly climb up your nostrils and start kicking.

Biscuity malts are tasted upfront before a stinging hop acidity becomes amped up on the finish. The earthy, wickedly citrusy flavour of hops continues to flutter across the palate like a fall leave caught in an updraft. These guys obviously found the proper IPA blueprints; maltiness is not overlooked but the bulk of the emphasis is devoted to lupullin.

When people hear the word 'bitter' they tend to be turned off but a recent generation of brewers, like Phillips, have steadily been changing that negative connotation. Offerings like this IPA show that bitter, even the harshly bitter, can actually be quite pleasant when caped in fruity resins and chased with a little toasty sweetness.

Phillips IPA is emblematic of many Canadian craft beers in general - it seeks to replicate what the Americans do without straying too, too far from its British roots. The end result turns out something of a more reserved, more timid, more "polite" if you will, variation of the American IPA. For the beer, as for Canadian and American people in general, outsiders may easily confuse the two, but for us here there's no mistaking which is which.
Sep 11, 2010
Photo of BBP
Reviewed by BBP from Canada (ON)

4.05/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A- Hazy orange-copper. Very respectable head.

S- Undeniably hoppy. Grainy malts and a tad of citrus.

T- Hops first and foremost. Bready malts as well but they are overshadowed by the much more pronounced hops. A constant hop bombardment on your tongue. Slightly more on the sweet side. Left a great aftertaste.

M- Very smooth with considerable carbonation.

D- A good solid hop taste and it hits the spot on a summer day. Quite quenching. Would definitely try again.
Aug 31, 2010
Photo of pnkHoody
Reviewed by pnkHoody from Canada (BC)

4.07/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
First off - I think it's inappropriate to have merged the Phillips IPA reviews with the Hop Circle - it is not the same IPA. Hop Circle is unfiltered whereas the IPA was filtered, and it has a different hop profile, aroma and flavour. Hop Circle is a significant reworking and as such is a new beer, even though it is the replacement.

That said, review:

I had this on tap at the Beagle pub in Cook Street Village, Victoria. Just a keg.

It's a lemony, hazy colour with a thick but insubstantial head. There's an almost greeny glow to it.

The aroma is hop-pungent. Very powerful. It smells like cannabis.

It doesn't taste as bitter as it smells. It is very grapefruity, and fruity in general. More sweetness than the original IPA, and a much smoother mouth-feel (the old IPA was pretty puckering).

Hop Circle is a tropical-tasting, highly refreshing IPA. I couldn't session it -- after three I had problems typing my pin number into the debit card machine. But it is moreish and satisfying.

I don't think it quite out-muscles Red Racer IPA for "best BC IPA", but it's very close. Also, Red Racer has consistency issues in my experience, so Phillips is a safe bet and a beautiful summer pint. Enjoy.
May 08, 2010
Photo of chickenm
Reviewed by chickenm from Canada (BC)

4.05/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a clear copper color with a thin white head. The aroma is a bit subdued with some hops and caramel malt. The hops really come out in the taste with citrus and pine flavors. The bitterness is not too overwhelming, the hops are nicely balanced with the malt in this. Medium-light body. I enjoyed this beer on tap, this this is a solid IPA.
Feb 16, 2010
Photo of biboergosum
Reviewed by biboergosum from Canada (AB)

3.92/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This beer pours a clear medium golden amber hue, with lots of thick foamy white head, which leaves some random spotted lace around the glass as it dissipates. It smells of pine, and bitter citrus hops, and mild caramel malt. The taste is subtle pine/citrus hops, and stronger sweet caramel and biscuit malt. The carbonation is moderate, the body on the light side of medium, smooth, and a bit sugary, and it finishes with a slight citrus hop edge.

Not bad, balanced, and another example of the blend of the American/British styles in the world of IPAs, at which Canadian breweries seem exceedingly proficient.
Feb 12, 2010
Photo of mrmanning
Reviewed by mrmanning from Canada (ON)

3.35/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Bottle courtesy of my friend Adil- I think this was courtesy of the real Chinese niggaz. Anyway, it poured deep hazed amber/orange. Nose was simple yet inviting. Fresh hops and caramel with bready malts and perfume. Sweet caramel and bread crust leads to piney hops with a nice citric profile. A simple IPA that pleases and does the job. Good.
Oct 29, 2009
Photo of Graham5161986
Reviewed by Graham5161986 from Canada (BC)

3.97/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Man, I have been meaning to review this beer for a looong time.

This IPA pours quite a brilliant orange colour with a thick, white, bubbly head that has some decent retention qualities and leaves some patchy lacing. Smell is quite complex. I get apricots and peaches up front then along come those citrusy orange hops and hits of caramel that make IPAs so special. Taste is quite nice and bitter off the bat with the hops really coming through. Mid sip releases some bready, caramel notes which give way, once again, to the bitterness of the hops which leave a crisp, spicy and dry feeling in my mouth. A bit bready nuttiness on the linger as well. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with lots of carbonation making it very crisp with a good amount of dry spice which leaves the mouth feeling quite clean on the finish. Overall, this IPA is very refreshing and delivers on in all categories. All the right flavours are there, but they are well balanced, making this one easy IPA to enjoy. A nice representation of the style.
Aug 04, 2009
Photo of tpd975
Reviewed by tpd975 from Florida

3.83/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Had this on in Victoria Canada at a small locals bar.

A: A nice copper color with big fluffy head that has nice retention. Nice lacing all the way down the glass.

S: Nicely balanced. Nice sweet bready malt aromas followed by hints of pine. There is also a bit of a fruity characteristic to this one.

T: A nice balance of hops and malt. Malt is first like in the nose. Nice sweet grainy bready malt. The hops power thru nice bold and bitter. This is a very american style IPA.

M: Medium body with ample carbonation.

D: Very nice.
May 13, 2008
Photo of MMansfield
Reviewed by MMansfield from Canada (NS)

3.54/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Received bottle from Mr. Wideman. Thanks very much.

Appearance: Pours a hazy yellowish colour, not quite orange with a massive pillowy bone white head. Retention is good, leaves gobs of lace.

Aroma: Heavy mandarin orange, some peaches, citrusy for sure, a bit of pine.

Taste: More piney in flavour, buttery, but citrus still dominates. Sweet more so than bitter as far as IPA's go. Bitterness is medium. Smidge of diacetyl comes through in the finish.

Mouthfeel: A bit hard, a little over carbonated. Drinkability is good.

Final Statement: Not a bad IPA, pretty hoppy as far as a lot of Canadian IPA's go. However, not as hoppy as I would like. I'd certainly drink some of these if I lived out West but not something I would seek out.
Oct 18, 2007
Photo of trevorwideman
Reviewed by trevorwideman from Canada (MB)

3.72/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
341ml bottle poured into a pint glass. Picked up on a recent trip to BC.

Pours with 1 inch of rocky head, lazy, mild carbonation, good lacing. Colour is almost peach, not quite orange, not quite yellow, but leaning towards yellow, hazey and unfiltered. Aromas of flowers, pine, tropical fruits, orange rind, grapefruit, vanilla, and a light bready maltiness.

Taste is definitely c-hop forward. Lots of pine, grapefruit, and bitter citrus rind at the front, fairly stringent, and balanced by a sweet, caramel bready malt character. The balance definitely leans towards the hops though. I prefer a little more balance in my IPAs, but this is definitely tasty. Mouthfeel is puckering to say the least, buzzing and stringent, carbonation is maybe a little bitey, but it's not bad. Medium body. This is a drinkable and enjoyable IPA, very hop-forward and ballsy, but it's a little less balanced than I usually prefer.
Sep 22, 2007
Photo of Phyl21ca
Reviewed by Phyl21ca from Canada (QC)

1.45/5  rDev -61%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1 | overall: 1.5
Bottle courtesy of Irondjin: Poured an orangey color ale with a super big foamy head with perfect retention. Aroma of bitter hops with strong sour notes. I am guessing we have an infection issue here which may explain why the head is still perfectly in place ten minutes after I have poured the beer. The label mention that these beers were heavily hops to make all the way to India without going down the drain – well seems like this one didn’t make it across the country without getting infected. The brewery is usually reliable so I will have to rerate when I get the chance.
Sep 17, 2007
Photo of GrimmReaper
Reviewed by GrimmReaper from Canada (BC)

2.75/5  rDev -26.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2
Oh man...this one is not for me...Pours a deep yellow to orange color,with a big 2+ finger head that is very rocky and mountainous looking with some nice bubbles sticking to the glass,very good lacing...to me ,,that head is the best part of the beer.
The nose is heavy flowery,perfumy with pine trees comming at you,it's like that pine air freshner you use in the vehicle,,,something else there in the background but i just can't pinpoint it out.
Going down is...well...um....very fruity with a hint of....dark greens and a dry bitterness towards the end.
Medium heavy body that leaves a peppery bite at the very back towards the end and some deep carbonation.
Not my style...no more of these for me.
Sep 14, 2007
Photo of John1985
Reviewed by John1985 from Tennessee

4.2/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
On vaction in Victoria and had lunch at a pub with the Phillip beers on tap. Deep gold with a ample one inch head that laced down the pint. Fresh hoppy aroma with an Intial bitter taste that transitioned into a balanced, smooth herbal hoppiness. Ale was extremely fresh and satisfying. I had two very enjoyable pints with picture perfect weather (mid 70's). Too bad I have to head back into 100's Nashville in a few days. The good people of Victoria are fortunate to have such a fine brew.
Aug 15, 2007
Photo of sockeye101
Reviewed by sockeye101 from Washington

3.77/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
I had this on tap in Victoria, BC and could tell it was fresh, fresh, fresh. Color was a nice orange with a solid head and it left moderate lacing. Smells were intense with citrus, and pine, and hops. Taste was very nice with massive amounts of citrus and a sharp bitterness. A very, very nice IPA. Not sure how the bottle compares, but fresh on tap is was mighty, mighty tasty.
Apr 11, 2007
Photo of Hornet2003
Reviewed by Hornet2003 from Canada (BC)

3.84/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance- Looks good! Coppery colour with a nice fluffy white head that recedes pretty quick

Smell- Wow. Citrusy PNW hop aroma. Piny and just full of floral hop aromas.

Taste- Bitter hop flavour that is well balanced by a sweet malt back bone. Reminds me of a LaConner IPA or any number of Northwest American IPA's. Really quite exceptional for a Canadian brew.

Mouthfeel- Not too fizzy. Not at all watery. Very pleasant feel.

Drinkability- To me, IPA's are not the most drinkable beers around because of their aggresive flavour/aroma profile. But overall, I have no problem drinking a few small bottles of this in one sitting.
Dec 03, 2006
Photo of fisherman34
Reviewed by fisherman34 from Canada (MB)

3.87/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Dark gold in colour with somewhat low carbonation. Aromas of grapefruit, tangerine, light pine, and a hint of black pepper. Heavy in the mouth with some bready overtones. Loads of assertive pine resin flavor. The citrus element returns mid-sip but fades again, leaving the pine, some chunky bitterness, and some leafy green hop flavor. Not very balanced, but I don’t mind a hop-ladden beer like this.
Nov 11, 2006
Photo of BDTyre
Reviewed by BDTyre from Canada (BC)

4.35/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
After drinking Amnesiac for a long time, I finally get around to trying Phillip's regular IPA!

Nice amber appearance with a thin head that settles quickly but tries valiantly to stick around. Balanced scent: noticeable hop aroma and spice rounded out by malts.

Citrus, spice and malt on the tongue. Hoppiness is definitely there, but not so out-of-control that it overwhelms the malts, pushes this in DIPA or just outright ruins this beer. The hops are aggressive, but a decent malt character restrains them. Pale malts, hints of caramel underneath the floral, spicy hop flavours.

Good mouthfeel. Carbonated enough to keep the tongue intrested, but not overwhelming. Quite drinkable...dare I try this in bottles?
Sep 12, 2006
Photo of Metalmonk
Reviewed by Metalmonk from North Carolina

3.35/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a clear golden-yellow that lacks the cloudy orange tint of most IPAs. A big fluffy head brings out citrus aromas, mostly lemon, a clean grainy smell, and a mildly sweet candy-sugar vibe.

The flavor, while simply "good", has no attributes that make me go "damn, I need more of this!" Malt/hops balance is there, but favors the sharp end of the citrus spectrum. I appreciate the piney element that lingers in the finish, but then it quickly turns into an unenjoyable metallic grapefruit aftertaste. Just nothing special.

The mouthfeel is nice and big, a bit dry and pretty tingly. I like what it does for the flavor...makes it seem like there's more happening than there really is. Every little bit helps.

Very drinkable but nothing to get overly excited about. I'd like more malt to come into it, as it leans too much toward the lemon-y element of the hops flavor. I'm left with that "so-so" feeling.
Aug 16, 2006
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.77/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Juicy and well malted IPA. Light orange with very thick head. Lace in glass is abundant.Hoppy and some yeast aroma. Nice bitter and also juicy. Smooth and easy drink. Not big and very pleasant, an astringency that matches meat. Medium mouthfeel. A nice IPA.
Apr 04, 2006
Phillips IPA from Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.
Beer rating: 85 out of 100 with 23 ratings