Dragonfly IPA | Upland Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Upland Brewing Company
Indiana, United States
uplandbeer.com
Style: American IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
India Pale Ale originated when the British Empire was at its height. British soldiers and civil servants were stationed all over the globe (including India), and regular ales could not survive the long journey by sea to reach them. The British solved this terrible dilemma by adding excessive amounts of hops to their beer–using the preservative properties of hops to increase the life of their beers.
Our Dragonfly India Pale Ale is true to this tradition, featuring seven hop additions to create a powerful hop profile. A solid malt base, however, tempers the bitter American hops, giving Dragonfly a balance not often found in this style. The end product is a well-balanced, malty beer with the crisp taste of hops and an exceptionally floral nose.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 04-08-2002
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 752 | Reviews: 219
3.49/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.75/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.56/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I am running through the backlog here at Chez Woody, trying to beat the heat as a heat wave takes over for the next few days. Fortunately, The CANQuest (tm) is strong & I have lots of CANdidates to drink, review & rate for your pleasure.
From the CAN: "Just the right amount of bite". From the brewery's website: "India Pale Ale originated when the British added excessive amounts of hops to help preserve their ales for long journeys to their citizens overseas, including to India. Our Dragonfly India Pale Ale is true to this tradition, featuring seven hop additions to create a powerful hop profile. A solid malt base, however, tempers the bitter American hops, giving Dragonfly a balance not often found in this style. The end product is a well-balanced, malty beer with the crisp taste of hops and an exceptionally floral nose. Dragonfly is our most popular beer, serving as an introduction to craft beer for many and a longstanding favorite for many more."; "ABV: 6.7 YEAST: House strain MALT: Pale Ale, White Wheat, Carapils, Special Roast, Caramel 60L HOPS: Warrior, Columbus, Simcoe, Cascade, Whole Leaf Cascade".
Wow! So many hops & yet, they still show it as low in IBUs. Interesting. It was also interesting on the Crack! when I got foaming coming through the vent, forcing me to CANmence an emergency Glug. An in-glass swirl raised two-plus fingers of foamy, soapy, rocky, tawny head with limited retention in the face of today's heat & humidity. Color was an oh-so-slightly-hazy Amber (SRM = > 7, < 9). Nose had an interesting floral hops quality, undoubtedly from the whole-leaf Cascade & I also smelled the Caramel & CaraPils of the malt coming through. Mouthfeel was on the thin side of medium, light for this style. The taste was mellow, very low in bitterness as indicated on their website. It reminded me of hop tea, which I have had on several occasions, usually with homebrewers. I didn't dislike it, but it also was not scratching my itch. The hops were more prevalent than on the nose & thankfully, the caramel malt was not as assertive as on the nose. It just lacked Ooomph! in terms of its bitterness, especially since that is a hallmark of the style. Finish was semi-dry, just lacking an overall bitterness. It was okay, not bad, but there are better examples, IMHO. YMMV.
2,302 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I am running through the backlog here at Chez Woody, trying to beat the heat as a heat wave takes over for the next few days. Fortunately, The CANQuest (tm) is strong & I have lots of CANdidates to drink, review & rate for your pleasure.
From the CAN: "Just the right amount of bite". From the brewery's website: "India Pale Ale originated when the British added excessive amounts of hops to help preserve their ales for long journeys to their citizens overseas, including to India. Our Dragonfly India Pale Ale is true to this tradition, featuring seven hop additions to create a powerful hop profile. A solid malt base, however, tempers the bitter American hops, giving Dragonfly a balance not often found in this style. The end product is a well-balanced, malty beer with the crisp taste of hops and an exceptionally floral nose. Dragonfly is our most popular beer, serving as an introduction to craft beer for many and a longstanding favorite for many more."; "ABV: 6.7 YEAST: House strain MALT: Pale Ale, White Wheat, Carapils, Special Roast, Caramel 60L HOPS: Warrior, Columbus, Simcoe, Cascade, Whole Leaf Cascade".
Wow! So many hops & yet, they still show it as low in IBUs. Interesting. It was also interesting on the Crack! when I got foaming coming through the vent, forcing me to CANmence an emergency Glug. An in-glass swirl raised two-plus fingers of foamy, soapy, rocky, tawny head with limited retention in the face of today's heat & humidity. Color was an oh-so-slightly-hazy Amber (SRM = > 7, < 9). Nose had an interesting floral hops quality, undoubtedly from the whole-leaf Cascade & I also smelled the Caramel & CaraPils of the malt coming through. Mouthfeel was on the thin side of medium, light for this style. The taste was mellow, very low in bitterness as indicated on their website. It reminded me of hop tea, which I have had on several occasions, usually with homebrewers. I didn't dislike it, but it also was not scratching my itch. The hops were more prevalent than on the nose & thankfully, the caramel malt was not as assertive as on the nose. It just lacked Ooomph! in terms of its bitterness, especially since that is a hallmark of the style. Finish was semi-dry, just lacking an overall bitterness. It was okay, not bad, but there are better examples, IMHO. YMMV.
2,302 characters
4.07/5 rDev +18%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
3.37/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle with a best enjoyed by tag of July 2018. Pours a touch browner than expected with minimal head, a portent of things to come. This is malty enough to make me question if it's really an IPA, whether American or English. Minimal hop bitterness closer to the finish. Not particularly bad, but just nondescript and somewhat boring, even for a local brewer that I consider average with occasional big hits.
412 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle with a best enjoyed by tag of July 2018. Pours a touch browner than expected with minimal head, a portent of things to come. This is malty enough to make me question if it's really an IPA, whether American or English. Minimal hop bitterness closer to the finish. Not particularly bad, but just nondescript and somewhat boring, even for a local brewer that I consider average with occasional big hits.
412 characters
3.91/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.71/5 rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Had this on 2018-02-28 in Bolingbrook IL at Ted's Montana Grill on tap.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Had this on 2018-02-28 in Bolingbrook IL at Ted's Montana Grill on tap.
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3.25/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.44/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.19/5 rDev -7.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
3.41/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.99/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was poured into a becher pint glass.
The appearance was a soft burnt orange to copper color with a finger's worth of white foamy head that slid off at a mild pace. Some light stringy lace ran here and there.
The aroma had some crisp semi-sweet to light bitter floral hops with some grassy hops coming together that bit down on some pineapple juice. Soft dankiness came in nicely.
The flavor leaned into the sweetness of the combination of those hops - floral, pineapple and danky flowing into each other nicely. Mild aftertaste of the floral and pineapple hop qualities.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied, perhaps just a tad under with a wonderful smooth sessionability about it. Carbonation felt good with a sturdy ABV well projected by the brewer. Mild finish of the sweetness of the pineapple and dankiness, seemingly losing a touch of floral.
Overall, really nicely done AIPA that I wouldn't mind having again.
923 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This was poured into a becher pint glass.
The appearance was a soft burnt orange to copper color with a finger's worth of white foamy head that slid off at a mild pace. Some light stringy lace ran here and there.
The aroma had some crisp semi-sweet to light bitter floral hops with some grassy hops coming together that bit down on some pineapple juice. Soft dankiness came in nicely.
The flavor leaned into the sweetness of the combination of those hops - floral, pineapple and danky flowing into each other nicely. Mild aftertaste of the floral and pineapple hop qualities.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied, perhaps just a tad under with a wonderful smooth sessionability about it. Carbonation felt good with a sturdy ABV well projected by the brewer. Mild finish of the sweetness of the pineapple and dankiness, seemingly losing a touch of floral.
Overall, really nicely done AIPA that I wouldn't mind having again.
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4.25/5 rDev +23.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2.8/5 rDev -18.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
2.93/5 rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
4.34/5 rDev +25.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
3.47/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.4/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I've been on a bit of an IPA kick recently and picked this one up at a local liquor store that was having a special on make your own 6 packs. Figured I'd give this one a shot since I hadn't had it yet, plus it's brewed only 45 minutes from where I grew up.
This beer pours a cloudy, orangish-amber hue that is fairly opaque with moderate carbonation visible. It looks like unfiltered orange-pineapple juice more than anything. The head is off white with an orange tint and is thick and foamy, dissipating very slowly to a rocky layer with a neck that is retained nicely. 3.75/5 The aroma is just like I described the appearance (like unfiltered orange-pineapple juice). This beer is thick with fruit and fruity sweetness, although a bit of pine resin seeps in as well, providing a sharpness to the sweetness. As the beer warms, a bit of citrus peel comes through, complementing the orange-tangerine-pineapple aroma. 3.75/5 The flavor leans heavily towards sweet, but this sweetness dissipates to a graininess part way through that remains through the end. The hops really don't show up here in the form of any bitterness (bitterness is light and lingers only light after swallowing), rather showing up as flavor undertones of oranges, papaya, and pineapple. The sweetness up front is a dank, mango fruitiness (odd dankness) that comes off a bit musty. 3.25/5 This is a medium bodied beer that is light on carbonation and is a bit sticky on the tongue with just a bit of creaminess. It is a bit astringent on the back end and puckers the tongue from the sides just a bit. 3.25/5 This IPA is a bit odd for me. The dankness and mustiness just don't work with the rest of the flavors. Based on the appearance and aroma, I really expected it to be bursting full of juicy fruitiness, but that really isn't the case. The "solid malt base" as is described, tempers the hops a bit too much for me. 3.25/5
1,916 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
I've been on a bit of an IPA kick recently and picked this one up at a local liquor store that was having a special on make your own 6 packs. Figured I'd give this one a shot since I hadn't had it yet, plus it's brewed only 45 minutes from where I grew up.
This beer pours a cloudy, orangish-amber hue that is fairly opaque with moderate carbonation visible. It looks like unfiltered orange-pineapple juice more than anything. The head is off white with an orange tint and is thick and foamy, dissipating very slowly to a rocky layer with a neck that is retained nicely. 3.75/5 The aroma is just like I described the appearance (like unfiltered orange-pineapple juice). This beer is thick with fruit and fruity sweetness, although a bit of pine resin seeps in as well, providing a sharpness to the sweetness. As the beer warms, a bit of citrus peel comes through, complementing the orange-tangerine-pineapple aroma. 3.75/5 The flavor leans heavily towards sweet, but this sweetness dissipates to a graininess part way through that remains through the end. The hops really don't show up here in the form of any bitterness (bitterness is light and lingers only light after swallowing), rather showing up as flavor undertones of oranges, papaya, and pineapple. The sweetness up front is a dank, mango fruitiness (odd dankness) that comes off a bit musty. 3.25/5 This is a medium bodied beer that is light on carbonation and is a bit sticky on the tongue with just a bit of creaminess. It is a bit astringent on the back end and puckers the tongue from the sides just a bit. 3.25/5 This IPA is a bit odd for me. The dankness and mustiness just don't work with the rest of the flavors. Based on the appearance and aroma, I really expected it to be bursting full of juicy fruitiness, but that really isn't the case. The "solid malt base" as is described, tempers the hops a bit too much for me. 3.25/5
1,916 characters
3.69/5 rDev +7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a clear golden amber in color with moderate amounts of active visible carbonation rising from the surface of the beer and faint golden yellow colored highlights. The beer has a finger tall foamy white head that quickly reduces to a few small patches of thin film surrounded by a large patch of very thin film covering the remainder if the surface of the beer with a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Slightly heavier than moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: There are slightly heavier than moderate aromas of biscuit + caramel malts with a light to moderate amount of sweetness. Moderate aromas of floral + grassy hops.
T: Upfront there are slightly stronger than moderate flavors of biscuit + caramel malts with a light to moderate amount of caramel sweetness. That is followed by light to moderate flavors of floral + grassy hops which impart a slightly heavier than light amount of bitterness which fades away slowly.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.
O: A more malty IPA, probably closer to an English one than an American one but definitely an enjoyable one. Easy to drink with well hidden alcohol.
1,148 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a clear golden amber in color with moderate amounts of active visible carbonation rising from the surface of the beer and faint golden yellow colored highlights. The beer has a finger tall foamy white head that quickly reduces to a few small patches of thin film surrounded by a large patch of very thin film covering the remainder if the surface of the beer with a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Slightly heavier than moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: There are slightly heavier than moderate aromas of biscuit + caramel malts with a light to moderate amount of sweetness. Moderate aromas of floral + grassy hops.
T: Upfront there are slightly stronger than moderate flavors of biscuit + caramel malts with a light to moderate amount of caramel sweetness. That is followed by light to moderate flavors of floral + grassy hops which impart a slightly heavier than light amount of bitterness which fades away slowly.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.
O: A more malty IPA, probably closer to an English one than an American one but definitely an enjoyable one. Easy to drink with well hidden alcohol.
1,148 characters
4/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I think an..... okay..... on this beer is way under rated. It's very good in my opinion.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I think an..... okay..... on this beer is way under rated. It's very good in my opinion.
89 characters
3.26/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
12 oz bottle BB April 2017 poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass at fridge temp 6.7% ABV 65 IBU. The beer is bright and copper colored with off white head and fairly good retention and lacing. Aroma is caramel sweetness and vague hop. Taste is more caramel sweetness (too much) and a little generic bitterness. Mouthfeel is chalky and drier than you would expect given the taste. Overall, OK. I wouldn't normally review an IPA at its freshness limit, but I've had enough of this one to know what I'm drinking. If you find this on tap or in bottles (with a couple months to go) give it a try.
594 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
12 oz bottle BB April 2017 poured into a Spiegelau IPA glass at fridge temp 6.7% ABV 65 IBU. The beer is bright and copper colored with off white head and fairly good retention and lacing. Aroma is caramel sweetness and vague hop. Taste is more caramel sweetness (too much) and a little generic bitterness. Mouthfeel is chalky and drier than you would expect given the taste. Overall, OK. I wouldn't normally review an IPA at its freshness limit, but I've had enough of this one to know what I'm drinking. If you find this on tap or in bottles (with a couple months to go) give it a try.
594 characters
3.5/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dragonfly IPA from Upland Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.45 out of
5 with
752 ratings
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