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Union Jack IPA
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
- From:
- Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- American IPA
Ranked #97 - ABV:
- 7%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #2,451 - Avg:
- 4.22 | pDev: 9.48%
- Reviews:
- 1,504
- Ratings:
- 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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Rhettroactive:
Reviewed by Rhettroactive from Virginia
3.75/5 rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.75/5 rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
From 12oz bottle to Bruges hybrid glass on 2/7/12
*From notes
-- I can't believe it took me this long to finally review FW's Union Jack. Shame on me. --
A: Hazy nectarine in color. A forceful pour yields a foamy three finger head. Quality lacing and collar follow.
S: Tight pine and generous West Coast fruit. Be sure to get this fresh to maximize your nasal enjoyment.
T: More pine and resin then a lot of West Coast AIPA's. It overwhelms the fore to mid, and the back is where the mild, chilled out fruit quality comes to relevance. Tasty stuff for sure.
M: More of a silky feel, less cream and body, more easy drinking. Would I like a bit more fluff? Sure, but it's not half bad as it is.
O: Not quite on the same level as Masala Mama or Sculpin, but damn close. Firestone Walker's Union Jack is another in a long line of delicious West Coast hop forward brews, and something that's always a pleasure to find cold in my fridge.
Recommended.
Mar 01, 2012*From notes
-- I can't believe it took me this long to finally review FW's Union Jack. Shame on me. --
A: Hazy nectarine in color. A forceful pour yields a foamy three finger head. Quality lacing and collar follow.
S: Tight pine and generous West Coast fruit. Be sure to get this fresh to maximize your nasal enjoyment.
T: More pine and resin then a lot of West Coast AIPA's. It overwhelms the fore to mid, and the back is where the mild, chilled out fruit quality comes to relevance. Tasty stuff for sure.
M: More of a silky feel, less cream and body, more easy drinking. Would I like a bit more fluff? Sure, but it's not half bad as it is.
O: Not quite on the same level as Masala Mama or Sculpin, but damn close. Firestone Walker's Union Jack is another in a long line of delicious West Coast hop forward brews, and something that's always a pleasure to find cold in my fridge.
Recommended.
More User Ratings:
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
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, 2024Aroma of citrus, pineapple, pine.
Taste of grapefruit and pineapple, late pine.
Medium-bodied. Late hop bitterness lingers.
Reviewed by kotocar from California
4.33/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.33/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Updated Review: I guess the last time I reviewed this I had a bad batch. This time it’s really good! It’s sorta like a candy non-tropical ipa. It’s good.
Old Review: 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, 2023Old Review: 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.
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
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.
Union Jack IPA from Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
7152 ratings
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