Warrior IPA
Sly Fox Brewing Company

This beer is a rusty red/brown color, and unfiltered (or maybe just churned up a bit). I don't know much about warrior hops but I know that this ale is part of Sly Fox's IPA series. It has an off white foam/lace to it. Its like Lost Coast's Indica IPA to me in terms of looks. Now about the taste...seems like Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale. Extremely hoppy and spicy. Love it even though these IPAs are starting to make me bloated Lol! In comparison, the Rt. 113 IPA is just as hoppy but a bit smoother.

Clear medium-dark copper with a small, creamy, off-white head that slowly diminishes to a partial film. Smell of citrus and pine balanced by a moderate bready malt. Caramel and some very light licorice. Taste is bitter from the moment it hits the lips. Pine and flowers with some caramel and light grainy malt. The finish is quite bitter with citrus rind hanging around for a long time. It has a medium body, dry texture and low carbonation. I felt it was a little hollow on the finish. It was nice and I enjoyed it, but in the rather vast realm of IPAs, this one didn't 'wow' me.

It came ot me a colorful ambery orange, clear, carbonated, and flashy. A finger of creamy light beige head retained for some time, and ropey lacing lassoed the inside of the glass.

The aroma was quite balanced, with an intermixing of caramel malt, pine and dry citrus, and a tweak of doughy yeast. A flame of alcohol burned lightly at the periphery.

Upon sipping, the malt brought moderate sweetness and caramel notes, while the hops kicked in the expected and off-setting pine and grapefruit. The bitterness won out soon, shortening the profile bit, but allowing a mandarin orange suprise to illuminate. Alcohol and yeast made a very brief appearance toward the close, and the finish was a quick, dry, bitter performance, lingering briefly. While especially basic, it is balanced and nicely blended, swirling together tastefully.

Medium bodied, the presence is a malt and hop blanket on the palate, finishing dry and glowing.

Yes, it's very straightforward, and maybe even one dimensional, but this is no one trick pony. While basic, it's well done enough that it's nothing less than enjoyable from the first to last sip. The ABV is active enough to be noticed, but if you liek this, it wouldn't be unduly limiting, with some wisdom exercised of course. This is part of a great project, and each one presents its own strengths. It's good enough that the next one is eagerly anticipated. And that's a good thing.

Poured from growler, an attractive copper-orange-red - a crazy melange of many colours, different shades would ripen at different stages. Some white trim rounding out the edges. A cold shot of hops off first swig. Dominated completely by the warrior hop. Easy drinkability. Some soft malt in the back, caramelly. The hops really cut a crisp impression in the mouthfeel. Taste is slightly short-lived as an abrupt bitterness cuts the flavour short, leaving it dry. Highly quaffable flavour though. The only (minor, hardly valid) critisism I might have is to say that this beer is slightly one-dimensional, which is to be kinda expected from relying on only one hop. That said however, make NO mistake - it must be clarified - that this is a completely undiminished beer, well fine to stand on its own and considerably well rounded. What a great project, I only wish I lived closer to a brewpub capable of this! Yet another big thanks to Dr.Jay!

Very clear, dark amber beer with a reddish tint. The head was cream coloured and dense with excellent retention. Thick, solid lace was produced throughout and left rings on the glass reminding me of each sip. The pine and grapefruit aroma was strong, but not aggressive. As it warmed, notes of sweet oranges and malty caramel appeared. The flavour evolved nicely with each sip, starting with a solid maltiness. Pine and grapefruit bitterness appeared at the mid-point and grew to a resinous finish, where a bit of earthiness showed up. The hop flavour lingered long after it was gone. Medium bodied with carbonation just a bit on the low side. Some dryness from the hops. I quite enjoyed this IPA - top notch. It stayed right at the edge of losing balance without ever going over. I eagerly anticipate the next beer in the 2006 IPA Project.