Dissolution Extra IPA
Kirkstall Brewery Company

Shared 500 ml bottle at local tasting, thanks to Holmen2. ABV is 6.0%. Clear deep golden to orange colour, moderate to low white head. Nice and "typically English" aroma, toffee, caramel and sourish hops. Much the same elements in the flavour too, but less nice - seems a bit unbalanced. Drinkable, but far from the best IPA I’ve had.

A 500ml bottle which pours a clear golden colour with a small white head. Aromas of caramel, citrus and marmalade. Tastes of caramel, citrus, grain, sweet honey & marmalade. With a moderate sweet flavour and a long and reasonably bitter aftertaste with wood, orange, dry, hoppy present.

 

Tawny blonde with rimming white film. 3.75
Corny grain husk nose - no hops. 3.5
Filo and peach jam nose then tangerine, melon, and herb hops. 4
Lemondrop end and powdery linger.
Lt-med, very soft, oily. 4

Doesn’t show for much to start, but gets it done. Goes from stone fruit to aspirin in a flash. But it goes all greasy lemon balm halfway through, which is by turns appetizing and nauseating. Good, but Kirkstall do better. 3.75

A 500ml bottle with a BB of July 2014. Acquired a little while back from Trembling Madness in York. This is the bottled version of Dissolution IPA - amped up to 6% ABV. The label mentions that this is inspired by an export ale brewed by the original Kirkstall brewery in the late 19th century.

Poured into a straight pint glass. A hazy golden hue with good carbonation. Yields a decent head of frothy white foam that lasts for a few moments before subsiding. Aroma of sharp, fruity hops with notes of grapefruit, orange peel, lemon, citrus and mild white grape. Underpinned by hints of caramel malt and earthy yeast. Lovely.

Tastes of intensely fruity hops with a spicy bitter finish. Notes of grapefruit, orange peel, lime/lemon, white grape, mild melon, faint pine resin, caramel malt, earthy yeast and stewed hops. Well-attenuated, followed by a crisp, hoppy bitterness upon swallowing. The alcohol is nicely hidden. Mouthfeel is smooth, tingly and dry; hop oils stimulate the palate. Soft, satisfying carbonation and good body for the style. Somewhat astringent, with an aftertaste of fruity aromatic hops, spicy bitterness and subtle earthy yeast.

Oh yes - this is just too good. It looks great, while the aroma and flavour are replete with morish, fruity hops and understated malt that balances everything out. Well-judged body. This is what an IPA should be all about - tons of hops yet also irresistably drinkable. If only I had another. Highly recommended; don't pass it up if you have the chance to try it.