Union Jack IPA
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Union Jack IPAUnion Jack IPA
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From:
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
American IPA
Ranked #97
ABV:
7%
Score:
94
Ranked #2,462
Avg:
4.22 | pDev: 9.48%
Reviews:
1,504
Ratings:
7,152
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 11, 2024
Added:
Oct 09, 2003
Wants:
  542
Gots:
  1,902
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.
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Ratings by BuckeyeNation:
Photo of BuckeyeNation
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa

4.47/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Honey with a large splash of orange juice. The head is polished ivory in color and features loads of sticky bubbles on its upper surface. As those bubbles burst, they leave a delicate array of lace-like lace all over the upper reaches of the glass. A classic look.

And an outstanding nose! There goes any thought that Union Jack is an English IPA. So why the name? The hop bill (Simcoe, Centennial, Cascade, Columbus) is 100% American and the sheer amount of hoppiness is AIPA all the way. Talk about a fantastically bright, perfectly pungent, fresh hop-like nose. Prediction: this is going to be great beer.

That was way too easy. As expected, Union Jack is full-to-bursting with C-hop goodness. Can't forget the Simcoe (S-hop), since they give the flavor profile a distinctly tropical vibe that adds yet another dimension. Killer hop bill. Absolutely killer. It's also nice to see that the brewery didn't allow the little green cones to outpace their malt support.

There's just enough of a barely toasted, caramel maltiness (think SN Celebration Ale) to let the drinker know that hops aren't the only ingredient that's allowed to provide flavor. The good thing is that the caramel doesn't get in the way of the grapefruit, bitter orange and pineapple explosion. 72 IBUs seems about right, but they're a friendly 72.

The mouthfeel stays well within the bounds of the IPA style. Any bigger and it wouldn't work as well. It's as smooth as glass and is lightly creamy in the bargain. Soft-edged carbonation is pretty much perfect.

Firestone Walker Brewing Co. has another winner with Union Jack India Pale Ale. Forget the British flag, though. This beer is Stars And Stripes Forever and is proud of it. I could (and would) drink this stuff by the case if it was available locally.
Apr 29, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.24 by arini10 from Oregon

Mar 11, 2024
 
Rated: 4.42 by saymike32 from New Jersey

Mar 10, 2024
 
Rated: 4.09 by Bwalke15 from Ohio

Mar 06, 2024
Photo of lordofthewiens
Reviewed by lordofthewiens from New Mexico

4.19/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
In a snifter the beer is a clear gold color. White head with plenty of lace.
Aroma of citrus, pineapple, pine.
Taste of grapefruit and pineapple, late pine.
Medium-bodied. Late hop bitterness lingers.
Feb 28, 2024
 
Rated: 4.24 by Danmooney40 from Virginia

Jan 09, 2024
 
Rated: 4.75 by MEnoMoney

Dec 03, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by Nyoder

Nov 26, 2023
 
Rated: 4.13 by b-ri11 from North Carolina

Oct 29, 2023
 
Rated: 4.55 by BLVBBERGIXLL from Arizona

Oct 24, 2023
Photo of kotocar
Reviewed by kotocar from California

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, 2023
Photo of AlvinBunk
Reviewed 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
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, 2023
Photo of Burrocreek
Reviewed by Burrocreek from Arizona

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, 2023
 
Rated: 4.25 by ctbeerman1 from Connecticut

Sep 01, 2023
Photo of BubbleBobble
Reviewed by BubbleBobble from New York

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, 2023
Photo of jLUNAtic88
Reviewed by jLUNAtic88

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, 2023
 
Rated: 4.23 by Newbeergeek1 from Maine

May 15, 2023
Photo of ZebulonXZogg
Reviewed by ZebulonXZogg from Illinois

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, 2023
 
Rated: 3.59 by morsa_95 from California

Mar 21, 2023
 
Rated: 3.82 by JHeard79 from North Carolina

Mar 11, 2023
Union Jack IPA from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 94 out of 100 with 7152 ratings