Creeper IPA
The Shed Restaurant & Brewery

Out of a growler this beer was a hazy copper color with a good amount of sediment a one-finger, beige head. The retention of the cap was very good and it left lots of spotty lacing in a sticky pattern. The aroma was of floral hops, citrus rind, grapefruit and some cheese-like, cellar-must. The flavors showed a great bitter/sweet balance between herbal hops and caramel malt. The 7.2 % ALC was well-hidden and I thought it rather low-impact with a little citrus rind on the finish that left an oily slick on my tongue. The mouthfeel was smooth but just a little watery, the body full and the carbonation delicate.

My third, and last, bier of the night (18APR09) at The Shed with Alewife. A new offering according to our bartender. He said that their brewer brews most every bier there with 1 hop, but he is leaving soon (to open a bar in Montpelier). So, he upped the ante and did a 2-hop IPA as his swan-song (though the 'tender didn't know which 2 hops were used).

My 1/2 pint of Creeper was a muted mahogany color, with a bit of haze and minimal carbonation present. Head was thin and light tan, a bit low on retention, yet left nice lacing. Aroma was pleasantly citrussy, with rindy grapefruit livening things up. The body was almost in the medium range, and low prickliness made for an easy glide over the tongue.

A bit of toasty malt is present, with hints of caramel. This is overshadowed, in a good way, by more grapefruit, suggestions of mango, and a top-shelf resiny action which coats the mouth quite well. Had we not had to drive 1-hour plus back to our B&B, more of this would have made its way down my hatch. Prosit!!

3.95
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | drink: 4

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