Portside IPA
The Mash Tun

Grabbed a pint ($2 on Tuesday) at the brewpub.

A: Deep caramel/orange, which seems darker than most IPA's. Almost no head, but a nice lace around the rim.

S: As this is the "hoppiest" of Mash Tun's beers, I expected a full aroma of fresh hops -maybe pine or citrus. Perhaps my nose isn't working well (it's been known to happen) but I hardly get anything of the level of hop smell I know an IPA should have. The hops I did smell were pretty good.

T: Stronger flavor with some tangy citrus bitterness. However, there's also a good deal of malty sweetness. A good balance of comingling the two - creating a rather sweet, less bitter IPA.

M: A little weak and watery. Flavors do not stay long on the tongue. Bitterness fades quickly and leaves a bread doughiness in the mouth. Low to medium carbonation.

D: A decent beer, good on a summer day hanging out on the patio. In a city/state/region full of great big hoppy IPA's, not sure this one can compete. But for a maltier, sweeter version this is pretty good and worth a try.

Portside displays a skillful integration of discreet sugary sweetness and flowery hop flavor. This balance is striking and distinctive while the aroma floats like a magic carpet delivering a fresh, succulent enticement. The beer is radiant polished oak; perhaps a shade dark for an IPA, but that’s not a problem. The flavor also tends to fade a bit by mid-pint, but this too is none too detracting. Portside is ultimately a refreshing, airy beverage that flows effortlessly across the tongue.

I imagine the name derives from the historic development of the IPA as a maritime beer. Nothing about the Mash Tun itself is otherwise maritime themed.