ManchVegas India Pale Ale
Stark Brewing Company

Decent IPA without too many things that stand out as really good or bad. Not something I'd buy in cans, but it's fine to order on draft at the brewery if I'm in the mood for an IPA. Stark is a fun place to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

Good afternoon & welcome to my New New Hampshire CANned Beer Sunday (Week 657)! I have gotten the bulk of the Bottle Backlog here at Chez Woody winnowed down to the point that I CAN again focus on what really matters. Namely, The CANQuest (tm)!

From the CAN: "Made in Manchester, New Hampshire"; "Est. 1994"; "Hail the Ale"; "For a time, Manchester was well known for it's illegal poker machines, giving rise to the name Manchvegas. there's no gamble when betting on our IPA, brewed to provide a huge payout of hop flavor and aroma, with a strong malt backbone to give you a full house of flavor."; "Drink Free Or Die"; "Made With Barley Hops Water Enjoy!"

I was anxious & interested to Crack! this one open since, as a self-avowed, self-described hophead, I felt like I had saved the (hopefully) best for last. Once opened, I began a slow, gentle Glug followed by a vigorous in-glass swirl. I produced a finger of soapy, foamy, eggshell-white head that actually hung in really well. Surprisingly well, given the effort that it took to make it happen. Color was Amber to Deep Amber/Light Copper (SRM = > 9, < 13) with NE-quality clarity. Nose smelled like I was in the middle of a pine forest as sap & resin was being harvested. Yum! Gimme dem hops. Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was certainly pine hops, but not overly bitter and with a caramel malt backbone. Mmm. I really liked the way that they showed at least a modicum of restraint & did not saturate it with hops. Finish was dry, but more resinous than bitter. This was a crushable AIPA.

 

Draught @ Brewery: This one pours a clear, coppery amber color. Some off white head and lacing. Resinous pine and citrus hops to the nose. The taste is good. Bitter, resinous pine and faint grapefruit. Some graininess. A nice IPA.

Picked-up a six-pack at Hooksett rest stop. Never heard of or seen this brew before. Name is interesting, as when I think of Manchester, NH, I think Lowell, not Vegas. I liked the bite on this brew, rated higher than most, and would buy again.

 

Aroma is resin and caramel dominant, with notes of specialty malt fruitiness accenting.

Flavor is caramel sweetness initially, fading to a very bitter, piney, earthy finish. Finish lingers harshly. Not my kind of ipa.

 

 

Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a bronze color with a tiny head. Smell is herbal, malts, some notes of pine. Taste is herbal hops, minty, some malts are present, moderate bitterness. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall, while not the flavor profile I expect from the style, it is an enjoyable beer.