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Union Jack IPA
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.


- From:
- Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #99 - ABV:
- 7%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #2,500 - Avg:
- 4.22 | pDev: 9.48%
- Reviews:
- 1,503
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Sunday at 02:21 AM
- Added:
- Oct 09, 2003
- Wants:
- 541
- Gots:
- 1,900
This aggressively hopped West Coast IPA showcases stunning pineapple, citrus and piney aromas along with exceptional dry hop flavors of grapefruit and tangerine. This intense brew finds its balance in honey-like pale malt sweetness. The name Union Jack is a nod to the colonial origins of the IPA style, and to the British expatriate who co‐founded our brewery.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by kotocar from California
2.95/5 rDev -30.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
2.95/5 rDev -30.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
It's too fancy. It tastes like iodine. This is the laphroaig 10 of beers. Burnt electronic taste or something off. No carbonation. Thin feel. It does sorta taste like candied fruit in the background but overall I'm not a fan. It's 7% abv and you notice it.
Oct 24, 2023Reviewed by AlvinBunk from California
4.13/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
4.13/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Just an awesome crystal clear light yellow pour with foamy head.
Super nice pineapple, and citrus like aromas! Possibly guava like aromas - generally really nice aromas.
Very dry tasting. Almost like grapefruit peel tastes, but it is nice. Seems a tad too bitter and dry, but still nice drinking.
Feels medium to thin in the mouth.
Overall, a good quality beer from Firestone Walker.
Oct 19, 2023Super nice pineapple, and citrus like aromas! Possibly guava like aromas - generally really nice aromas.
Very dry tasting. Almost like grapefruit peel tastes, but it is nice. Seems a tad too bitter and dry, but still nice drinking.
Feels medium to thin in the mouth.
Overall, a good quality beer from Firestone Walker.
Reviewed by Burrocreek from Arizona
4.21/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This is an ultra classic American IPA with a surprising hop balance that results in a candied pineapple and pine profile that is more than the sum of its parts. The color is an immaculate clear gold without a trace of the lazy hazy. A really wonderful effort that has stood the test of time.
Sep 06, 2023Reviewed by BubbleBobble from New York
4.03/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Pours a clear orange-yellow, frothy 0.5" of head that settles to a thick collar of foam. Nose is spicy, piney, resinous hop and a fair amount of malt sweetness for balance. As it warms, some more tropical juice notes as well. Taste follows, but expresses more of the spice and resin than the tropical aspects. Finish is relatively dry with a clean and crisp mouthfeel. It's really solid and reliable.
Jun 08, 2023Reviewed by jLUNAtic88
3.72/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.72/5 rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this on tap and it pours very well. Decent head retention and good lacing as you drink. Smell is barely there for an IPA but tastes great. Not too bitter and the hops really stand out. Doesn't feel too full but not light either. Perfect for a beer before dinner.
Jun 05, 2023Reviewed by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois
4.27/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.27/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Undated 12oz can, single purchase.
Hazy gold, one finger off white head leaves a nicely laced glass. Terrific aromas of pineapple, citrus and pine, buds get big citrus flavors. Excellent carbonation, medium bodied. I rarely see FW beers in my neck of the woods, Od like to try this fresh.
Apr 23, 2023Hazy gold, one finger off white head leaves a nicely laced glass. Terrific aromas of pineapple, citrus and pine, buds get big citrus flavors. Excellent carbonation, medium bodied. I rarely see FW beers in my neck of the woods, Od like to try this fresh.
Reviewed by lwillitz from Wisconsin
4.04/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12-oz can into New Belgium globe
A - 1finger of white over a semi-cloudy body of amber; moderate visible carbonation
S - sweetness, pine, tropical fruits
T - honey sweetness, pine, tropical fruits, maybe a little earthy; bright and fruity; nice balance between sweetness and bitterness; dry finish
M - medium body, medium carbonation; smooth and creamy
O - balanced and refreshing
Jan 24, 2023A - 1finger of white over a semi-cloudy body of amber; moderate visible carbonation
S - sweetness, pine, tropical fruits
T - honey sweetness, pine, tropical fruits, maybe a little earthy; bright and fruity; nice balance between sweetness and bitterness; dry finish
M - medium body, medium carbonation; smooth and creamy
O - balanced and refreshing
Rated by The_Beer_Guru from New York
4/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Solid west coast IPA.
Dec 04, 2022Reviewed by HoppyBastard from Nebraska
4.33/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.33/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a 12 ounce can into a Shaker pint glass, there is no "best by" date that I can see.
APPEARANCE: pours a clear, copper color with one-finger, off-white head that slowly dissipated until a thin, broken layer of small bubbles remained, lighter carbonation, there is moderate lacing on the glass.
SMELL: initially sweet honey then equal parts pine resin and pineapple citrus.
TASTE: the taste follows the nose, initially sweet honey then pine resin and pineapple citrus on the finish.
PALATE: medium body and lighter carbonation and somewhat creamy.
OVERALL: this is a very well balanced IPA, it's hoppy but does not overpower your palate and sweet but not too sweet, I really enjoyed this and will seek it out again, I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a more balanced IPA.
Nov 09, 2022APPEARANCE: pours a clear, copper color with one-finger, off-white head that slowly dissipated until a thin, broken layer of small bubbles remained, lighter carbonation, there is moderate lacing on the glass.
SMELL: initially sweet honey then equal parts pine resin and pineapple citrus.
TASTE: the taste follows the nose, initially sweet honey then pine resin and pineapple citrus on the finish.
PALATE: medium body and lighter carbonation and somewhat creamy.
OVERALL: this is a very well balanced IPA, it's hoppy but does not overpower your palate and sweet but not too sweet, I really enjoyed this and will seek it out again, I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a more balanced IPA.
Union Jack IPA from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
7146 ratings
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