Utah
The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got a can of this beer off the single shelf from my local Giant Eagle store. It poured a slightly hazy copper with thin white head that is leaving some lace. The scent had dank pine notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with sweet malt base and had pine and bitter hop highlights. The mouthfeel was medium in body and had good carbonation. Overall it is a good beer.

 

 

They opened a Brew Kettle location a mile from me, as the crow flies. In the beginning of a pandemic. So it will be a while until I get there. In the mean time, a tribute to Brew Kettle - a number of interesting brews have come out of there.

This Utah is supposed to be an all year brew. Great, I say, but what does the name mean? I missed the Utah ski trip with my club in 2019 - it was huge, with twice the usual participants (I went to the Alps instead). But what the heck does Utah have to with this AIPA or with the Brew Kettle? Nothing, that's what.

It pours a little dirty with big bubbles that get smaller. The aroma is dirty, skunky, nasty, boozy, NOT New England IPA-like. That is appreciated, as is the taste, which is deep and full, strong AIPA, with plenty of malts and a very satisfying mouthful of taste. You are not going to be disappointed.

Highly recommended. I guess I will have more of these in the future. At $1.92, no less. A value.

 

L: Caramel amber. Plenty foamy. It's not completely hazy, but I can't see my buddy through the glass.

S: Mosaic and amarillo. Minimal citrus.

T: Very nice flavor profile. I would describe it as West Coast style. This one is on par with AxeMan and Zombie Dust and priced much better. More alcohol than Voodoo Imperial IPA, again at a better price.

F: The big malt base gives plenty of room for the hops to express themselves.

O: It's a solid beer for the category. However, I think the beer could be named and labeled in a manner more fitting to the people buying it.

Canned on 6/26/20. 12oz can poured into a tulip. Pours a burnt golden with a mild haze; creamy off-white head that falls leaving nice thick retention and sticky lacing. The aromas take a second to open up. Hints of peach and apricot come through when you dig deep. Some crackers and fresh bread. Lots of malts. The flavors are bold and clean. Lots of orange leading the way. More hints of peach and apricot. Some floral and earthy characteristics. Lots of fresh grass. Some pine in the mix. More bread and crackers. Mild hints of caramel. Solid bitterness. Some alcohol flavors, but in a good way. Malts do their thing, but almost take a backseat. Finishes dry. Mouthfeel is very nice. It's medium-bodied with active carbonation. It's sharp, fluffy, smooth and easy to drink.

This is a nice IPA. It's bold, clean, crisp and refreshing. It's more on the classic, traditional and old school side of the style, and I mean that in a good way. The craftsmanship is on point. Enjoyable stuff. I really like it.