Hoptimistic IPA
Charleville Vineyard Microbrewery

 

Clear amber with two finger plus head. Nose is grass, floral, pine, citrus, plenty of malt. Flavor follows, good malt presence complimented with grassy citrus hops. Lasting bitterness.

 

its been awhile since i have had a beer from these guys, and this is somewhat of an older school ipa, clearish, maltier, and classically bitter. i miss beer like this, even though the style has evolved well away from this sort of thing, to me it will always be appealing. this has a bit of a copper or even amber color to it, a nice head though, and a strong aroma of bitter pine and orange peel, with crystal malt being obvious right away and freshness in this instance being high. its neat in the flavor because the bitterness is right up front, not coming on late like so many of them do, which means it never really has a chance to get sweet from the malt, instead its just balanced, and i like that. the hop flavor is lost just a bit to the grain so the bitterness stands out more, but there is a clean pine character, almost spicy, northwestern, and old school. good body here, richer feeling, a little oily, and a little heavy too, but i dont mind that. it gets just a bit harsh if it warms up a little, so drink it up. solid beer, a relic at this point, but serviceable and tasty. you dont hear much about these guys despite them having opened up in saint louis...

 

 

 

I opened and poured this beer very carefully and there was still a crazy amount of head on this IPA. That is my main issue with this beer.

Other than that, it tastes just like a normal American IPA, nice citrus and spicy taste to the hops. And looks a very appealing medium-golden brown color.

 

 

Bottle from gregwilsonstl, thanks for the opportunity!
Slightly hazy deep golden color large frothy off white head. Caramel and citrus pine aroma. Bready caramel flavor with a lingering resinous bitterness to the finish. A bit old school but not bad.

 

Very malty, with very little bitterness or floral hop presence. Not a lot else going on here. It was drinkable, but bland as far as IPA's are concerned.

Would Drink Again: No
Would Purchase Again: No

 

 

 

 

Copper, opaque, small head, very nice lacing,which was perhaps the highlight of the beer.

Smells and tastes like many good American IPAs. Typical. Nothing outstanding, nothing really lacking.

I thought the feel was lacking a bit for an IPA. It felt a little thin or light. In other words, lacking body.

Overall, a good IPA that I would certainly drink again.

 

Amber, with a fine, lace-producing head, this brew is appealing. The smell is earthy, with a malt and floral hop scent. The taste has fruit in the front, followed by piney hops and a decent bitterness. Full in body and enjoyable.