Homegrown IPA
Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks

Beer Geek Stats
From:
Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks
 
Pennsylvania, United States
Style:
American IPA
ABV:
6%
Score:
Needs more ratings
Avg:
4.48 | pDev: 5.36%
Reviews:
5
Ratings:
5
Status:
Active
Rated:
Oct 11, 2010
Added:
Oct 06, 2008
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  0
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Photo of HoopTime
Reviewed by HoopTime from Pennsylvania

4.92/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Poured from a growler into a Sam Adams pint glass

A- A gold-tinted copper, clear enough to see your fingers through when held up to light. Pours a nice, well-set head that receded to a thin rim along the side of the glass

S- There is a limestone spring near Hairy Johns, the Route 45 landmark east of Milheim that gives this beer its name. It is on the side of a forested mountain. Locals flock there to fill jugs. They don't use that water at Elk Creek (but all the water sources in that area are limestone springs), but this beer smells like that spring. Fresh, crisp, piney with grapefuit, citrusy hops aroma

T- This beer is all about the hops. It's wet hopped with fresh local hops grown nearby in Mifflin and Center counties. If this beer is any indication, hop farming seems to go well in this climate. The hops here are sublime, not overwhelming. There is enough maltiness and caramel to keep it smooth and drinkable.

M- Light bubbly, effervescent. Clean with a slight citrus aftertaste

D-These folks make very good beer. This is no exception. It's a seasonal offering, so if you get a chance to visit Milheim, now is a good time. Think of it as you reward for taking the wife leaf peeping. This is an incredibly drinkable beer. Another hit for Elk Creek.

NOTE: So there is no confusion, this review is for Homegrown Hairy IPA. I believe that is the actual name. Also, they brewery claims this is 9% abv
Oct 11, 2010
Photo of Kegatron
Reviewed by Kegatron from Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a growler into an imperial pint glass. Thanks to Deuane for hooking me up with a growler of this sweet nectar.

Pours a slightly hazy copper with 2 fingers of foamy eggshell white head. Thin sturdy retention that fires up nicely, leaving some quality sticky swathes of lacing behind. The aroma is Wow! A fresh, leafy, herbal, and earthy hop profile greets the nose. There is a piney edge to it that combines with tangy citrus character to just POP in the nose upon sniffing. This is quite the fresh and floral bouquet if I do say so myself!

The taste is hops right up front, that possess an extremely earthy character with a ton of herbal grassy qualities that still gives off an intense hop bitterness which sticks in the mouth. Citrus and caramel sweetness add some balance but make now mistake, this beer is all about the hops! The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a fairly creamy feel that carries some oily slickness as well. There is also a touch of alcohol beef that is just accentuated by the intense, bitter feel of this.

I've enjoyed the Elk Creek beers that I've had so far, but man; they've taken things to a new level with this beer! It's been awhile since I've had an IPA that's so fresh and herbal; it reminds me of something else a little "homegrown" if you know what I mean. Fantastic stuff that I would love to try again!
Oct 29, 2008
Photo of ffejherb
Reviewed by ffejherb from Pennsylvania

4.17/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured via growler into stange glass on 10/23/08. Thanks to Deuane for picking up a growler for me this past weekend.

A - Attractive clear medium copper body with hints of gold beneath a massive three-finger, bubbly white head of froth that slowly receded into a thick fence of lacing and patchy retention. Body is very sparsely carbonated, which allows the clarity to really shine.

S - This IPA definitely boasts quite a unique aroma with plenty of fresh yet dank hop goodness. Hints of pine, citrus, earthy herbs and even mild tea leaves all blend together to create a very interesting hop profile. Malt certainly takes a backseat, but there are hints of caramel and grains. The citrus qualities really begin to emerge and stand out as the liquid warmed up.

T - Nicely balanced flavor featuring an interesting array of hops and a contrasting malt base with some graininess. Finish definitely evokes hints of green tea and citrus fruit complemented by sweet malt and a slightly grainy aspect.

M - Light bodied and very softly carbonated (almost with a cask ale feel), this is pretty thin for an IPA with a slightly oily texture. Finish is only mildly bitter on the palate.

D - I love the idea of a small brewery utilizing locally grown hops for its brews. This is a very good example of an IPA and I would love to see other breweries follow suit. I'd also like to add that this is a very sessionable IPA that, at only 6% ABV, is quite easy to throw back.
Oct 24, 2008
Photo of akorsak
Reviewed by akorsak from Pennsylvania

4.44/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Served on-tap at the brewpub; it features locally grown hops.

A: The IPA is a yellow-brown color that I can best describe as apple juice. There is a touch of haze in the ale, just enough to obscure anything on the other side of the glass.

S: The nose is nicely bitter, loaded with citrus hops that have grapefruit, orange peel and pineapple notes. Nicely fragrant.

T: The ale has a firm malt backbone, caramel strength that holds up nicely but the hops are the star of the show. The citrus flavors are full and resiny, like a few drops of pure hop juice. A great fruitiness emerges from each sip, a nectarine/tangerine flavor that is sugary sweet with a bite. Another great IPA from central Pennsylvania.

M: The fruitiness is the lure that proved too much. I was hooked from the first citrusy blast.

D: I was smitten with the ale and took home a growler that I am enjoying now. A fantastic brew from Elk Creek.

As an aside, Elk Creek has not gotten enough press. If you are in the Central PA area (Williamsport-York, Altoona-Lancaster geographically), Elk Creek should be on your to-do list.
Oct 19, 2008
Photo of Deuane
Reviewed by Deuane from Pennsylvania

4.42/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A nice offering from this "lets get as much local as we can" place. Made with locally grown hops from numerous private growers. A nice example of using what you got. Wet and dry hopped for EXTRA flavour.

A-Hazy copper tinged golden yellow with a thin white head that left nice lace.

S-Sweet perfume hops with an equal malt pop. A very balanced smelling brew. A nice aroma of berries (raspberries/cherry) in the hop profile....very interesting and nice.

T-Amazing balance of sweet malt and bouncy fruity floral hops. Very nice, refreshing and flavourful.

M-Medium-light body with a good lasting bitterness. Again with the fruity notes in the aftertaste.

D-Super fresh, tasty and fruity. Great use of the local product. A very nice harvest IPA....one any brewery, large or small, would be happy to serve.
Oct 06, 2008
Homegrown IPA from Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks
Beer rating: 4.48 out of 5 with 5 ratings