KLB New England IPA
Publican House Brewery

 

473 mL can from the LCBO; coded 21190 (Jul 9 2021) and served slightly chilled. Always nice to see something new from an old, familiar brand name that still lives on, somehow.

Pours a foggy, translucent golden-yellow colour, capped with nearly an inch of soapy, foamy white head that lasts for three or four minutes. A messy coat of sea spray lace is left in its wake, in addition to a bubbly collar of suds and filmy cap - looks fine to me. The aroma is mildly fruity and hoppy - I'm getting some floral notes, as well as apricot, red apples and indistinct citrus - definitely on the subtle side for this style, but the nose does open up a tad as the glass warms.

Not bad, but definitely kind of restrained for an IPA, New England or otherwise. Grainy pale malts and wheaty bread, with a mixture of apricot, orange and underripe nectarine at the forefront. Suggestions of mango and cantaloupe towards the midpoint, then hints of orange and a mildly piney, resiny bitterness at the finish. Medium in body, with moderately assertive carbonation that lends a bit of prickliness to this brew's smooth, fluffy texture. Good drinkability - I'd say that, along with the mouthfeel, are this beer's strongest aspects.

Final Grade: 3.58, a B grade. KLB New England IPA is unobjectionable and easy enough to toss back, but it's not up to snuff when compared to much of its Ontario competition. Not particularly bitter, which is good for this style, but not very hazy either, which isn't. I definitely wouldn't call it 'juicy' either, though I did enjoy the hop flavours that it does possess, and it feels the way I'd expect an NEIPA to feel in the mouth. All in all, a mixed bag: it does some things well, and other things not so well, but overall it's still a pleasant brew to drink.

Aug 10 2024