Old Yeller IPA
Rogue's Roost Brew Pub & Eatery

 

 

 

 

 

 

From notes taken at brewpub 11/11/11. Was listed solely as "IPA" rather than an Old Yeller version, but at a verbal "7% ABV" and the only IPA they serve, I think I'm reviewing the correct beer!

Orange-hued amber with minimal off-white head and limited lacing.

Aroma is disappointingly mild, so expectations were low, but the taste was a very pleasant surprise. Tons of flavour! Piney and citrus hops predominate with a nicely bitter finish, The alcohol warmth is dangerously well hidden until the very end... very more-ish!

On tap at the brewpub, 9/8/11.

A-Pour is a clear amber with a frothy white head and nice lacing.

S-Moderate amount of malt with a light grassy hoppiness. A bit light on the aroma.

T-A good malt base with a crisp bitter hop finish. Very nice rendition of the style.

M-Medium bodied, slightly dry, good bitterness.

O-A very nice IPA with a solid maltiness and good bitter hops.

HV

Poured a clear copper with two fingers of head that last for most of the beer. Rings are left with each sip around the glass.

Aromas of floral and pine hops greet the nose, with some mild sweetness and bread.

Taste is a solid dose of floral hops, leaning toward pine, with a solid malt backbone that is biscuity, but also soft and buttery sweet. Hops take a turn toward grapefruit near the finish.

Mouthfeel is medium, nice balancing carbonation bite. Clean and crisp finish is a nice contrast to the soft and creamy initial feel.

A wonderfully easy-drinking beer, I can knock a couple of these back joyfully.

A-Bright copper with a long lasting white head that left decent lace.

S-Nice bright floral hop kick with a bit of spicy pine. Easliy the most aromatic and "American" smelling IPA I have had in Canada.

T-Hop forward bite followed by supporting caramel malt. Pungent pine and floral goodness is well balanced by the biscuity backbone.

M-Medium bodied with a nice lingering hop bite that finishes rather smooth.

D-As stated previously the best "American" IPA I have had in Canada...BC included! I would come back to The Rogue's Roost just to have this beer when I am in town again.

On tap at the brewpub.

Pours orange-copper with a disappearing white head. Nice grapefruit and resiny hops in the aroma. Hops dominate the flavour as well, offset by some nice medium crystal sweetness. Ends with some dry hop bitterness. Goes down nicely - I'd do well to remember there's a third Halifax IPA in the running.

Crap...this is a good IPA! So they do know what the style is out here after all. I thought Keith's might be the evil flagship for a fleet of crappy macro knock-offs. The appearance is what I would describe as textbook IPA - a radiant copper with a long-lasting white head. The aroma errs towards floral and leafy hopping, as opposed to west coast citrus hops, but theres also pine there as well. The flavour is loaded with floral hops, but well-balanced by a caramel breadiness. Its really smooth and almost buttery. Medium mouthfeel and just the right amount of carbonation. Dangerously drinkable for the ABV, and a fine Canadian example of the style.

Had this on tap at the Rogue's Roost brew-pub.

Appearence: Arrives a very hazy rusty copper colour with a nice white head which lasts the duration of the drink.

Aroma: Lots of floral hops with a slight piney scent. Very buttery with some faint caramel notes. Also some citrus and bread.

Taste: Buttery with a bit of sweetness, but a solid grapefruit bitterness in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and smooth. Drinkability is very high.

Final Statement: This is a very sessionable IPA, and the best brewed in Halifax. It is a treat than any BA should enjoy while in the city.

Arrives at my table a deep, cloudy orange with a tight one-finger head that leaves loads of lacing the whole way down the glass. Smell is dominated by floral hops, with a piney note and some butter present as well. Taste is well hopped and crisp, with some caramel and butter livening it up. Mouthfeel is full and creamy, and drinkability is extraordinary. Eminently sessionable if you don't mind what you'll feel like the next day. The ABV, which varies slightly from batch to batch but is always in the 6.5 - 7.0% range, sneaks up on you quickly if you're not careful. This appears to be the favourite of most of the patrons of Rogue's Roost, and for good reason. It's a great beer.

It should be noted, in hindsight, that this review is for the IPA when served in it's alternate form: dry-hopped and unfiltered. I don't know why they don't always serve it that way, it's definitely superior to the regular batches.