India Pale Ale
Descendants Brewing at the Old Ship Inn

 

 

From a Growler purchaed at the Inn about a week ago. Poured a nice dark brownish golden color. Low carbonation leaves a mellow, thin off white head. Nice flowery hop nose. This is a medium bodied, flavorful IPA. Hops well up front and nice and meaty. Flowery and herbal, not really bitter or grainy. All around solid and tasty IPA

A clear, very deep copper body with ruby and orange highlights rests gently beneath a frothy head of ivory foam that holds quite well and leaves some very nice splashes of lace at the outset of the pint. The nose is welcoming and bright with a combination of yeasty, berry-like and apple-ish fruitiness as well as some floral and grassy hops. The body is decidedly medium and it's slightly restrained carbonation lends a gentle caress to the tongue before allowing it to fade smoothly away. The yeasty fruitiness found in the nose returns in the flavor along with a minor note of diacetyl and some woodiness (there's obviously some Ringwood yeast at work here, and it's beautifully done!!!), as well as some grassy and floral hops that round things out over its brightly caramelish malt. Absolutely superb!!! It's exquisitely balanced with just the right amount of sweet, juicy malt; fruity yeastiness; floral/grassy hops; and solid bitterness to leave it bright, exciting, and exceptionally drinkable. The bitterness is present but it never appears while the malt is in the mouth. Rather, it waits until the finish to slowly reveal itself. AND, it doesn't build upon the palate even after a pint or two. Quite Quaffable! And despite its strength, this remains as an excellent session brew... you just have to take it a bit slower. Glorious! Satisfying! Truly English in nature. Well worth seeking out!