O'Doyle Rules Almost IPA
Evil Genius Beer Company

This beer is an "almost" IPA which is somewhere between an IPA and an APA and uses malted oats and malted wheat to help improve the mouth feel and head retention. Since the Brewer's intent seems more to make a session IPA which would be enjoyed by people who don't think they like hops, I listed this one in the IPA category rather than the APA category.

The beer pours out into a Duvel glass a clear bright lemon yellow color with a 3/4" white head that slowly recedes to a thin persistent layer on the surface of the liquid, but without leaving much lacing on the sides of the glass. However, there at least a thin layer of foam on the beer for most of the drink down. Sipping creates a few small scattered patches of foam, some of cling to the glass.

The aromas include a tangerine citric character. Mingled in there is also some other citrus with an almost earthy or woody tone. Way in the background are some grainy notes from the malted grains.

The flavors are much as expected from the nose with some citric juicy flavors of tangerine and a bit of grapefruit. There's also a bit of bitterness that remains in the background and is balanced nicely by a softening touch of sweetness.

The mouthfeel is on the light side of medium bodied or on the full side of light bodied and smooth, almost creamy with just a slight bit of persistent carbonation. The finish medium length finish begins as the citric flavors soften a bit and allow the touch of bitterness to emerge. Then with that in the background everything fades to a clean dry finish that invites another sip.

This is a drinkable beer and I'd be fine with having another. For my tastes this is among the best so far of the beers I've tried from Evil Genius and I'm quite confident it is at the peak of freshness since it seems to have been released only a few days ago. Now if they’ll start dating their beers I expect I’d buy this one again. It's not an earth shaking Session IPA, but it is a solid, workman like job that is great for a warm sunny afternoon of grilling and chilling. I'm also sure it will pick up some negative reviews since it isn't quite an IPA and lacks the in your face intensity of many IPAs, but I see it as being sort of on target for what the brewer wanted to achieve.

 

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a hazy, dark golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is mild, light lemons. Taste is grassy, lemons, some malts, solid bitterness. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is an easy drinking and pretty good beer.

DATE: August 31, 2017... OCCASION: fantasy draft #2... GLASSWARE: Stoudts pint... pours a cloudy, sediment-laden blur of sallow yellow amber, almost like lemon juice... the head is off-white and fluffy, settling to a wring of lace that is appreciable... sparse bubbles... pineapple, mango, some grapefruit, cracker, ginger, with thee bitter pine of Simcoe reaching the nostrils with every inhalation... the mouthfeel is creamy, active and welcoming, a 5.5% ABV that comes off as a pale, but still has that lingering finish to declare itself an India... the attack on the teeth is palpable and pleasant... the best aspect of the beer thus far... taste wise, the resin and pineapple are strong, while the mango and pine come in a close second... some buttery biscuit, but it has to be looked for... otherwise, a pretty aromatic, hoppy ale that continues to pay off well after the sip is downed... one of my more favorite Evil Genius offerings...

 

 

 

 

A- suspended yeast in lemon gold color with a half finger frothy head. splotchy lacing.

S- lemon shavings and earthy malt tones.

F- earthy and grassy flavor with minor notes of the lemon on the back end.

M- grassy and light bodied.

O- it is different and unsure of what to think but its alright but the grassiness seems to overpower the other flavors.

Poured into a half pint glass: color is straw, hazy, lightly effervescent, head is brighter white with fine to small bubbles; head lingers well with solid top and light lacing/bubbles on the glass sides.

Smell is very light lemon rind, grass, not much malt or sweetness.

Taste is light, with similar flavors to the aroma: citrus/lemon rind, grassy/earthy flavor, maybe some more noticeable light biscuit or toasted malt.

Mouthfeel is crisp, moderately carbonated, some lingering bitterness on the tongue.

Overall a good beer with lighter/citrusy flavors and lean towards soft mouthfeel but a bit of bite on the lingering presence.

Jeez-O, man, I am really tired of drinking beer. April Fools! However, I am growing weary of the ongoing battle in the eradication of The Bottle Backlog here at Chez Woody. It feels like the hydra in that I get rid of one and five or six more seem to take its place.

From the bottle: "Dry hopped with Amarillo and Simcoe".

Oooh, they put Simcoe the kitty in this one! I Pop!ped the cap & could immediately smell its presence. For those not in the know, Simcoe gives off what is referred to as "cattiness" or an odor akin to feline urine, which is off-putting to some people. I am not one of them so I am moving on to my pour. Once sufficiently decanted, I gave it an in-glass swirl to raise just over a finger of foamy, rocky, bone-white head that fell back to wisps, leaving sticky lacing in its wake. Color was Yellow-Gold (SRM = 4 -5) with NE-quality clarity, prompting a return visit from The Gelt Gang of Croesus, Midas & Mammon, whom I had not seen for a while. Nose was both catty and lemony, making for a pleasant odor (at least, I thought so). Mouthfeel was medium, but silky smooth on the tongue. The taste was hoppy, but striking a nice balance between lemony citrusiness & catty pungency. I could certainly see this as an accompaniment to seafood, especially salmon. "Almost" an IPA? I would not have been happy with it if it were identified as an APA! It is on the sessionable end of the AIPA spectrum, but its ABV is just too high to fully qualify for that distinction. Finish was dry, hoppy and definitely refreshing. Now, if they would just begin to CAN their beers ...