Fiesta IPA
Santa Fe Brewing Company

 

Put this beer up against some local IPAs such as Central City and some other favourites such as Brooklyn and Ranger from NBelgium. It didn;t quite make the grade mainly due to the lack of a good malt backbone. It is not that this is overly bitter though the citrusy hops come through in the nose and the midbody but it lacks any real substance in the backend and becuase of that the finish drifts off a bit. Still a decent IPA but not as good as 2nd street or Marble in NM and not up to the high standards of the PNW

A big white head sat above a hazy honey red colored beer, after pouring this from a plane white labeled bottle purchased at Santa Fe Brewing Company.
The aroma was full of hops with a hint of sour grains coming through.
A rich full hops tasting beer with a slight bitterness added made for a very good drinking IPA.
The after taste left my mouth slightly dry and wanting more.

This growler was picked up for me while my Dad was in Santa Fe on business. Its appearance belied its pale/ crytal malt base. The smell was of juicy citrus fruit. Since I drank the growler over the course of an afternoon, an odd aftertaste developed on my palette after the hop assault. Not unpleasant mind you just different. The mouthfeel of the beer could have been a little more substantial, but i'm not bitchin'. Very good drinkability beyond the aftertaste 3 pints in. Goes great with buffalo wings.

Pale, golden orange with a lasting, moderate off-white head. lace clings to the side of the glass until the beer is empty.

Aroma is crystal malts and a light hop bouquet.

The taste starts with sweet, caramel malts and finishes with a huge hop bite. this ale is full of hop profile through the middle and end.

has the right amount of carbonation and an great balance of malts and hops.

A very nice IPA in my own backyard!!