India Pale Ale
Climax Brewing Company

 

 

 

There was something way out of balance with this IPA. Not hoppy, it was like dried fruit molasses.

 

 

 

 

O: This beer is unusual and deep, although the tasting notes are somewhat unrefined. This is especially noticeable next to a cleaner, standard American IPA. This beer pushes style definitions, although it could use some refinement. I'd buy it again, and would love to try it fresh as opposed to slightly old. Are we sure this isn't a Belgian IPA?

A: 12 oz. bottle poured into a Belgian goblet glass - the beer pours a murky brown not typical of your average IPA, with only the slightest hint of red or orange in the hue. Large effervescent bubbles are apparent in the haze, and there is a thin, turbid head of foam that clings to the glass well, but does not rise high or linger long. A noticeable and surprising amount of yeast particulate can be found in the beer, which reveals itself after the bubbles fade.

S: the smells are unimpressively typical of your average IPA - neither good nor bad. No distinct fruit aromas are apparent, but there is a moderate hop character intermingled with the strong malt, biscuit aromas. The smell of this beer has a surprisingly deep caramel character, which seems to explain the deeper color of the beer, suggesting more roasted malt than a typical IPA.

T: this beer tastes like the cross between a Belgian Pale Ale and an American IPA, with a surprisingly pleasant spice character (this beer is pretty spicy!). It is also very complex, with clashing fruity notes vying for attention. Is this an American IPA? It's a lot closer to a Belgian IPA, made with very tropically flavored hops. Good hop character balances well with the sweet, caramel body of the beer.

M: great level of carbonation on this atypical IPA. The medium body on this brew compliments the caramel backbone nicely

 

 

 

 

Served on-tap at Barcade in Jersey City, NJ

A: Pours a hazy copper in color with some light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation (mostly large bubbles clinging to the sides of the glass) and some light amber highlights. The beer has a quarter to half finger tall foamy light beige head that reduces to a large patch of very thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light aromas of bready malts with some hints of caramel sweetness along with some light aromas of citrus/orange zest hops.

T: Upfront there are light to moderate flavors of bready malts with some light notes of caramel sweetness. That is followed by some light flavors of citrus/orange zest hops that impart a moderate amount of bitterness that lingers through the finish.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth.

O: Doesn't really seem like an IPA as it is so much more malty than other examples of the style. The smooth body makes this one pretty easy to drink but I don't think I would get it again as the hops are barely present in this one.