Firehouse IPA
Firehouse Grill & Brewery

 

The maltese cross summoned me into this, found at a local bottle shop, a bottle I had never seen before. My hopes were not particularly high though as everything about the packaging and description screamed mediocre. And mediocre is precisely what I got, but a decent mediocre if there is such a thing. First, it does pour pretty nice, bright rich copper very clear with a huge sticky head with some of the best retention I have ever seen. No effervescing and no solutes. Aroma is very malty, hints of black tea and lemon; not super hoppy. Lots of grapefruit flavor and hoppy bitterness with some malty sweetness, nothing spectacular or complex, but drinkable with plenty of flavor. Mouthfeel is the weakpoint as this feels heavy, and syrupy, and far to potent for only a 6.6% ABV. Got a bit sticky as it warmed. Overall, there is nothing to hurry and try to find here, but if you're ever looking for something new, not a terrible place to go.

VERY dark amber colored beer. This is really more of a red colored ale. Small tan colored head.

Smell is sweet and malty with a strong tea and woody aroma. Smells a great deal like sweet tea.

Starts out malty, bitter, buttery and woody. The malt and the rest of the flavor makes me think Old Ale more than IPA. Sort of a milder version of Arrogant Bastard ale. On the extreme end of the malt scale for American IPA.

Mouthfeel is full.

Tasty malty beer that is really closer to Old Ale than IPA.

 

Appearance: Slight chill haze on a solid gold-fused copper. Head is white and drops to a small wispy cap almost instantly. Some minor lacing. Moderate carbonation on the pour.

Smell: Grapefruit, as flesh and rind. A bit tropical, mostly mango. Faint spiciness with a piney undertone. Malts are a bit sweeter, with a nice caramel and biscuit aroma. Clean and crisp. Pale malt sweetness. Almost peppery with a small earthy quality.

Taste: Hop spiciness plays over a solid grapefruit flesh and rind. Heavy heavy grapefruit. Lingering pithy bitterness. Malts are a nice compliment adding some sweetness. Caramelized malts. Bready and slightly toasted. Some backing earthy notes. Warming brings out a bit more spiciness. Definitely not rye. A bit unrefined, but it works.

Mouthfeel: Slightly creamy and smooth. Medium body with a slightly above average carbonation. Clean finish. Ever so slightly dry.

Overall: A west coast IPA turned down a few notches.

Decent drinker. Nothing spectacular but would be a great IPA to have with a meal. Treads a unique balance and feels satisfying overall.