English IPA
Bear Republic Brewing Co.

 

On tap at Gourmet Haus Staudt. The body is a hazy unfiltered copper color, almost opaque. A slightly off-white head retains well, leaving sheets of lacing behind. It has a decidedly English malt and hop aroma, but the yeast doesn't contribute much aroma. It smells earthy, semi-sweet with a caramel backbone that slightly overwhelms the spicy and floral hops. Similar palate, quite malty though sweetness is restrained. The malt backbone is toffee-like up front, but transitions into flavors of biscuit and brown sugar. Hops are subdued, balanced with the malt. Earthy and spicy in character, they lend a mild bitterness mid-palate that's eventually overtaken by the malt, and it finishes surprisingly neutral. This is a hard beer to rate, it's a well-crafted English IPA but it's not really to my taste. Fairly enjoyable, but I probably won't revisit it.

RBSG09 on tap at the brewpub. Pours amber tinged orange with a wet white head. Big Fuggles aroma, apples, some hop resin, caramel. Flavor is light brown sugar, English malts, apples. Solid resinous bitterness, unexpected in an English IPA. Very good for the style.

Had this at the Bear Republic Brewpub recently. It's smooth and drinkable and is also quite unique. It tastes nothing like Fuller's IPA or Sam Smith's for that matter. Color was deep copper, head was good and lace average. Malty base was prominent and as befitting English Ale, hops were restrained. While this style is right up my alley I found it just O.K. Good but not memorable