India Pale Ale | Bass Brewers Limited
Brewed by:
Bass Brewers Limited
United Kingdom (England) | website
Style: English India Pale Ale (IPA)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by puboflyons on 11-23-2012
Reviews: 35 | Ratings: 132
4.02/5 rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Frankly, I am unsure as to where this came from. It might have been a part of the last box courtesy of my local, in-person trader, tone77 or I may have bought it as part of a mixed sixer. At any rate, I am working to reduce some of the backlog.
From the bottle: "Brewed in the tradition of William Bass Brewers Limited"; "This fine Inidia Pale Ale has been brewed in the Great British tradition using traditional English Fuggle hops"; "Iconography - from the makers of the original Pale Ale comes Bass India Pale Ale. Made with all malt and a blend of imported and domestic hops, including the traditional English Fuggle. Bass IPA is then dry-hopped in aging tanks for a remarkable aroma. Perfect for anytime you want to enjoy an intensely satisfying beer."
My initial, aggro pour created just under two fingers of fluffy, tawny head with good retention. The sticky lacing that it left in its wake was magnificent. Color was a deep-amber (SRM = > 9, < 13) with NE-quality clarity. Nose smelled remarkable in that earthy way that Fuggles imparts. This was definitely an English IPA, but I was down with it. Mouthfeel was medium and between the earthiness of the hops and the biscuity quality of the malts, this had a much spicier taste than I expected. It was quite tasty, with a sort of peppery bite, especially on the finish. Speaking of which, I would characterize it as semi-dry to dry. This was probably one of the best iterations of the style that I have tried. Muy bueno!
★ 1,485 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Frankly, I am unsure as to where this came from. It might have been a part of the last box courtesy of my local, in-person trader, tone77 or I may have bought it as part of a mixed sixer. At any rate, I am working to reduce some of the backlog.
From the bottle: "Brewed in the tradition of William Bass Brewers Limited"; "This fine Inidia Pale Ale has been brewed in the Great British tradition using traditional English Fuggle hops"; "Iconography - from the makers of the original Pale Ale comes Bass India Pale Ale. Made with all malt and a blend of imported and domestic hops, including the traditional English Fuggle. Bass IPA is then dry-hopped in aging tanks for a remarkable aroma. Perfect for anytime you want to enjoy an intensely satisfying beer."
My initial, aggro pour created just under two fingers of fluffy, tawny head with good retention. The sticky lacing that it left in its wake was magnificent. Color was a deep-amber (SRM = > 9, < 13) with NE-quality clarity. Nose smelled remarkable in that earthy way that Fuggles imparts. This was definitely an English IPA, but I was down with it. Mouthfeel was medium and between the earthiness of the hops and the biscuity quality of the malts, this had a much spicier taste than I expected. It was quite tasty, with a sort of peppery bite, especially on the finish. Speaking of which, I would characterize it as semi-dry to dry. This was probably one of the best iterations of the style that I have tried. Muy bueno!
★ 1,485 characters
3.34/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
Presentation: It was poured from a brown 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. The label lists the abv at 6% and there is a short description of the beer as well.
Appearance: Bass IPA has a honey amber color with a slight haze and some visible carbonation. On top sits a tall frothy head. The head is light tan in color and long lasting which makes some slick lacing on the glass.
Smell: It has a very nice sweet malty character with some bready notes and notes of caramel, honey, coffee. Further off in the background I get some mild herbal and very mild citrus hops.
Taste / Palate: The flavor doesn’t quite live up to the aroma but it still brings a nice balance of hops and malt. (If you are looking for a big tasty hop bomb you won’t find it here.) There is a nice mellow bready maltiness up front and though out with mild hop bitterness coming in late in the finish. These hops add citrusy orange pith like bitterness.
★ 928 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3
Presentation: It was poured from a brown 12 oz bottle into a pint glass. The label lists the abv at 6% and there is a short description of the beer as well.
Appearance: Bass IPA has a honey amber color with a slight haze and some visible carbonation. On top sits a tall frothy head. The head is light tan in color and long lasting which makes some slick lacing on the glass.
Smell: It has a very nice sweet malty character with some bready notes and notes of caramel, honey, coffee. Further off in the background I get some mild herbal and very mild citrus hops.
Taste / Palate: The flavor doesn’t quite live up to the aroma but it still brings a nice balance of hops and malt. (If you are looking for a big tasty hop bomb you won’t find it here.) There is a nice mellow bready maltiness up front and though out with mild hop bitterness coming in late in the finish. These hops add citrusy orange pith like bitterness.
★ 928 characters
3.38/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours clear copper color with a thick 2 finger foamy tan head that did not budge for a while and left very good spotty lacing and rings as it went down.
Smells of caramel, floral hops, graham cracker, bread and some light honey; not the hoppy IPA nose like the American IPA’s but still nice smelling.
Taste is also lighter in the hops than expected, but rich and full of malt and caramel, with floral hops, graham cracker, bread, herbs, a touch of honey, very mild spices, grass and some sweetness like brown sugar or toffee; tastes good, but very far of course even for an English style IPA.
Mouthfeel was medium bodied to almost chewy, with average carbonation, a buttery to watery feel and a sweet malty after-taste that was slightly bitter. A nice beer and one I’d have again as it reminds me of a good English beer to drink while playing darts. Not one to satisfy your hop fix, but decent overall.
★ 912 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Pours clear copper color with a thick 2 finger foamy tan head that did not budge for a while and left very good spotty lacing and rings as it went down.
Smells of caramel, floral hops, graham cracker, bread and some light honey; not the hoppy IPA nose like the American IPA’s but still nice smelling.
Taste is also lighter in the hops than expected, but rich and full of malt and caramel, with floral hops, graham cracker, bread, herbs, a touch of honey, very mild spices, grass and some sweetness like brown sugar or toffee; tastes good, but very far of course even for an English style IPA.
Mouthfeel was medium bodied to almost chewy, with average carbonation, a buttery to watery feel and a sweet malty after-taste that was slightly bitter. A nice beer and one I’d have again as it reminds me of a good English beer to drink while playing darts. Not one to satisfy your hop fix, but decent overall.
★ 912 characters
3.48/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a relatively clear orangish amber in color with moderate to heavy amounts of active visible carbonation streaming from the bottom of the glass and some light golden yellow highlights. The beer has a finger tall foamy light beige head that reduces to a thin film covering the entire surface of the beer with a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Overall the aroma is fairly light for this brew with a light amount of caramel malts with a touch of honey-like sweetness and a light amount of floral + herbal hops.
T: Upfront there is a light to moderate flavor of pale and caramel malts with a touch of honey-like sweetness. That is followed by a moderate flavor (which slowly builds from a light flavor) herbal and floral hops. Light amounts of bitterness in the finish which fades pretty quickly.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Lightly smooth with a bit of crispness upfront.
O: This is a pretty average beer that is fairly easy to drink - reminds me of my thoughts on Bass Ale back when I was drinking it in the mid-1990s... The alcohol was well hidden and this is a beer I could have a couple of.
★ 1,187 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a relatively clear orangish amber in color with moderate to heavy amounts of active visible carbonation streaming from the bottom of the glass and some light golden yellow highlights. The beer has a finger tall foamy light beige head that reduces to a thin film covering the entire surface of the beer with a medium thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.
S: Overall the aroma is fairly light for this brew with a light amount of caramel malts with a touch of honey-like sweetness and a light amount of floral + herbal hops.
T: Upfront there is a light to moderate flavor of pale and caramel malts with a touch of honey-like sweetness. That is followed by a moderate flavor (which slowly builds from a light flavor) herbal and floral hops. Light amounts of bitterness in the finish which fades pretty quickly.
M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Lightly smooth with a bit of crispness upfront.
O: This is a pretty average beer that is fairly easy to drink - reminds me of my thoughts on Bass Ale back when I was drinking it in the mid-1990s... The alcohol was well hidden and this is a beer I could have a couple of.
★ 1,187 characters
2.73/5 rDev -21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
A big disappointment. Mediocre at best. A stale cereal taste pervades, and it doesn't come close to the quality of many IPA's in its price range. It reminds me a lot of Bass Pale that has been subjected to some dry hopping...thin, weak, and a lingering nasty aftertaste.
★ 270 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
A big disappointment. Mediocre at best. A stale cereal taste pervades, and it doesn't come close to the quality of many IPA's in its price range. It reminds me a lot of Bass Pale that has been subjected to some dry hopping...thin, weak, and a lingering nasty aftertaste.
★ 270 characters
4.42/5 rDev +27.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bass IPA has a medium, off-white head, a clear, bubbly, amber appearance, and a little lacing left behind. The aroma is of caramel, toffee, brown bread crust, subdued hops, and sweetness. Taste is of those elements, with hop bitterness that tastes like hops, rather than grape fruit or pine oil. Mouthfeel is medium and slightly slick, and Bass IPA finishes semi-dry, refreshing, easy going, and delicious. They nailed it! Another winner from InBev!
RJT
★ 454 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Bass IPA has a medium, off-white head, a clear, bubbly, amber appearance, and a little lacing left behind. The aroma is of caramel, toffee, brown bread crust, subdued hops, and sweetness. Taste is of those elements, with hop bitterness that tastes like hops, rather than grape fruit or pine oil. Mouthfeel is medium and slightly slick, and Bass IPA finishes semi-dry, refreshing, easy going, and delicious. They nailed it! Another winner from InBev!
RJT
★ 454 characters
3.68/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bought a sixpack of this for $5 on sale. Bottled Feb. 28 2013. I did not know Bass made an IPA, but I like their Pale Ale apparently more than many BAs do. Plus this onetime British import is now made only eighty miles away from my hometown.
a: A deep clear amber similar to Bass Pale Ale. A good white head declined to a thin surface film and a little spotty lacing.
s: None.
t: Malt with a light counterbalance of hops. Disappointing for an IPA, pretty decent for a traditional pale ale. Maybe I should put Bass Pale Ale side by side with this and see if there is any significant taste difference.
m: Light to moderate. Smooth.
o: As good a dinner brew as their Pale Ale, and as I said not much detectable difference. Much better than the usual dinner or lawnmower mainstream mass-produced Pilsener-Lager suspects, but perhaps the weakest hopped IPA I have had.
UPDATE 12/1/13: Had another which presented a much stronger hop profile even though by now it was nine months old. Raised my rating for taste and overall accordingly from 3.5 to 4.0.
★ 1,055 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bought a sixpack of this for $5 on sale. Bottled Feb. 28 2013. I did not know Bass made an IPA, but I like their Pale Ale apparently more than many BAs do. Plus this onetime British import is now made only eighty miles away from my hometown.
a: A deep clear amber similar to Bass Pale Ale. A good white head declined to a thin surface film and a little spotty lacing.
s: None.
t: Malt with a light counterbalance of hops. Disappointing for an IPA, pretty decent for a traditional pale ale. Maybe I should put Bass Pale Ale side by side with this and see if there is any significant taste difference.
m: Light to moderate. Smooth.
o: As good a dinner brew as their Pale Ale, and as I said not much detectable difference. Much better than the usual dinner or lawnmower mainstream mass-produced Pilsener-Lager suspects, but perhaps the weakest hopped IPA I have had.
UPDATE 12/1/13: Had another which presented a much stronger hop profile even though by now it was nine months old. Raised my rating for taste and overall accordingly from 3.5 to 4.0.
★ 1,055 characters
3.52/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Darker than I expect, this dark orange IPA actually ranges toward red. There's lots of clarity in the body. A soft off-white head rises to a full finger's height and holds its form well, dropping slowly but leaving a heavy foam for the entirety. Fairly ample lacing is left in patches.
It's British for sure, with lots of earth and herb to the bitterness alonside light flora and citrus zest. Malts also play a big part, giving some sweetness in notes of caramel as well as a dryer crust note. It's not strong, but it has some depth.
Pretty much the same can be said for the flavor, though a bit more sweetness comes through. British brewers may have balance in mind, but where American brewers took over the style is in making IPAs massively flavorful and keeping the balance. This one is light, with a reasonable depth to it, and it holds its own among English IPAs.
Crispness bites pretty hard, almost bracingly so. It does have a bit of smoothness to it and is refreshing as well as bright. A little dryness rides into the finish.
★ 1,034 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Darker than I expect, this dark orange IPA actually ranges toward red. There's lots of clarity in the body. A soft off-white head rises to a full finger's height and holds its form well, dropping slowly but leaving a heavy foam for the entirety. Fairly ample lacing is left in patches.
It's British for sure, with lots of earth and herb to the bitterness alonside light flora and citrus zest. Malts also play a big part, giving some sweetness in notes of caramel as well as a dryer crust note. It's not strong, but it has some depth.
Pretty much the same can be said for the flavor, though a bit more sweetness comes through. British brewers may have balance in mind, but where American brewers took over the style is in making IPAs massively flavorful and keeping the balance. This one is light, with a reasonable depth to it, and it holds its own among English IPAs.
Crispness bites pretty hard, almost bracingly so. It does have a bit of smoothness to it and is refreshing as well as bright. A little dryness rides into the finish.
★ 1,034 characters
5/5 rDev +44.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Beautiful reddish amber color. Smells of sweet malt and aromatic hops. The strong hop flavor is counterbalanced perfectly by the maltiness of the brew. The medium body is just right.
I hadn't had a Bass IPA since the 80's when most local taverns were still serving Bud and Miller almost exclusively. At the time, I thought that Bass was the best thing to ever happen to us. Now, after drinking countless domestic IPA's which are far superior to the Buds, Millers, and Coors of the world (or country), Bass IPA is still far and away the best IPA I've had. American IPA's tend to be too heavy on the hops and too light on the malt. Bass is much more balanced.
American brewers would do well to take a lesson from Bass, one of the very first IPA's and still the best!
★ 767 characters
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Beautiful reddish amber color. Smells of sweet malt and aromatic hops. The strong hop flavor is counterbalanced perfectly by the maltiness of the brew. The medium body is just right.
I hadn't had a Bass IPA since the 80's when most local taverns were still serving Bud and Miller almost exclusively. At the time, I thought that Bass was the best thing to ever happen to us. Now, after drinking countless domestic IPA's which are far superior to the Buds, Millers, and Coors of the world (or country), Bass IPA is still far and away the best IPA I've had. American IPA's tend to be too heavy on the hops and too light on the malt. Bass is much more balanced.
American brewers would do well to take a lesson from Bass, one of the very first IPA's and still the best!
★ 767 characters
3.34/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.
A: The beer is a light amber color, with a medium off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains honey, light caramelized malts and some hops.
T: The taste starts out very sweet with flavors of honey and caramel. Then a mild hops presence comes in and slowly exerts itself as you continue to drink the beer. The malt character is hearty but not too heavy and brings a little bit of balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly bitter.
M: A little crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: A little tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, not the best representation of style, it’s not too great at first but the taste grows on you enough to make it a mediocre beer.
★ 848 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.
A: The beer is a light amber color, with a medium off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains honey, light caramelized malts and some hops.
T: The taste starts out very sweet with flavors of honey and caramel. Then a mild hops presence comes in and slowly exerts itself as you continue to drink the beer. The malt character is hearty but not too heavy and brings a little bit of balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly bitter.
M: A little crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: A little tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, not the best representation of style, it’s not too great at first but the taste grows on you enough to make it a mediocre beer.
★ 848 characters
2.29/5 rDev -34%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.75
This is a rough, very sub-par IPA that actually leans towards an American IPA in its very dominant bitterness, even though the hop character is more in the English style. I have always found Bass Pale Ale to be a pretty good beer and was hoping that this would be at least a decent English-style IPA, rather like the Newcastle IPA. I was sorely disappointed, however. I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but the example I had was apparently brewed by Anheuser-Busch in Baldwinsville, NY.
Copper, it has a smallish off-white head soon thinning to a foamy ring and wisps, no lace.
Aroma is earthy-pithy-herb-ine hop, with some bread and hint of caramelised crust. The aroma is pretty good and fairly promising to be a reasonable English IPA.
However, the taste and feel are rough and a great disappointment. It is dominated from the start by a sharp, vaguely resiny-woody hop bitterness that hits up front and lingers long after. The bitterness sticks roughly and aggressively and despite the vague resiny-woody flavour, it is lacking in hop character. There is almost no sweetness to balance and very little toasty malt character only. Feel is ok, but thin. Overall, this is a rough, harsh, one-dimensional beer lacking in the character or sweetness to support the bitterness. With some mild food, it might be all right, but alone it is pointless and rapidly becomes so tiresome that I could not even bring myself to finish a 12 oz bottle.
★ 1,455 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 1.75 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.75
This is a rough, very sub-par IPA that actually leans towards an American IPA in its very dominant bitterness, even though the hop character is more in the English style. I have always found Bass Pale Ale to be a pretty good beer and was hoping that this would be at least a decent English-style IPA, rather like the Newcastle IPA. I was sorely disappointed, however. I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but the example I had was apparently brewed by Anheuser-Busch in Baldwinsville, NY.
Copper, it has a smallish off-white head soon thinning to a foamy ring and wisps, no lace.
Aroma is earthy-pithy-herb-ine hop, with some bread and hint of caramelised crust. The aroma is pretty good and fairly promising to be a reasonable English IPA.
However, the taste and feel are rough and a great disappointment. It is dominated from the start by a sharp, vaguely resiny-woody hop bitterness that hits up front and lingers long after. The bitterness sticks roughly and aggressively and despite the vague resiny-woody flavour, it is lacking in hop character. There is almost no sweetness to balance and very little toasty malt character only. Feel is ok, but thin. Overall, this is a rough, harsh, one-dimensional beer lacking in the character or sweetness to support the bitterness. With some mild food, it might be all right, but alone it is pointless and rapidly becomes so tiresome that I could not even bring myself to finish a 12 oz bottle.
★ 1,455 characters
2.85/5 rDev -17.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Caramel clear body with a light off white head, fine speckled lacing scattered. Aroma a bit metallic like pennies in a wishing well, somewhat mild tame citrus and caramel if I have to get serious. Flavors muted sweetness mild bready caramel notes with a muddled hop character that really comes off as a bitter muddled mess with copper pennies floating in it. Mouthfeel is lighter with ample carbonation just that linger metallic hop combo lasts between sips, my cousin refers to some hoppy beers of this caliber as rusty. That seems appropriate as my overall interpretation not bad just a little rusty tasting that is, like why does it taste like rusted copper pennies?
★ 669 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Caramel clear body with a light off white head, fine speckled lacing scattered. Aroma a bit metallic like pennies in a wishing well, somewhat mild tame citrus and caramel if I have to get serious. Flavors muted sweetness mild bready caramel notes with a muddled hop character that really comes off as a bitter muddled mess with copper pennies floating in it. Mouthfeel is lighter with ample carbonation just that linger metallic hop combo lasts between sips, my cousin refers to some hoppy beers of this caliber as rusty. That seems appropriate as my overall interpretation not bad just a little rusty tasting that is, like why does it taste like rusted copper pennies?
★ 669 characters
3.28/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a clear deep golden color with a decent sized white head that persists. Smells of earthy hops and aged malts. The flavor holds caramel and brown sugar mixed with a hints of dark fruits a bit of earth and sulfur. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a slick somewhat bitter mouthfeel. Pedestrian IPA even for an English version. I could drink this, but with so many better choices, why would I?
★ 415 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours a clear deep golden color with a decent sized white head that persists. Smells of earthy hops and aged malts. The flavor holds caramel and brown sugar mixed with a hints of dark fruits a bit of earth and sulfur. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a slick somewhat bitter mouthfeel. Pedestrian IPA even for an English version. I could drink this, but with so many better choices, why would I?
★ 415 characters
3.58/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
The beer pours a deep golden/amber color with a thick frothy off-white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a complex mix of pale and caramel malts along with a mild noble hop bitterness and a dry, fruity yeast scent. The taste is decent as well. It's smooth and easy drinking with a solid pale and caramel malt flavor. It well balanced with a moderate hop bitterness; noble hops of course. It finishes very dry with a touch of English ale yeast esters. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium/full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a pretty good beer. I like the balance and hop character; definitely a beer I'd have again.
★ 660 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
The beer pours a deep golden/amber color with a thick frothy off-white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is decent. It has a complex mix of pale and caramel malts along with a mild noble hop bitterness and a dry, fruity yeast scent. The taste is decent as well. It's smooth and easy drinking with a solid pale and caramel malt flavor. It well balanced with a moderate hop bitterness; noble hops of course. It finishes very dry with a touch of English ale yeast esters. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium/full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a pretty good beer. I like the balance and hop character; definitely a beer I'd have again.
★ 660 characters
3.65/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from an undated 12 oz. bottle: very nice, clear and bright copper with sustained, off-white head.
The label states this was dry-hopped, but the aroma is rather disappointing with some faint hop aroma but mainly a whiff of muddled malt.
The flavor begins with a somewhat sweet malt flavor with some earthiness. There is a faint hop bite that gives the ale a bittersweet aftertaste. This is a good example of an English ale - well rounded with nuanced flavors.
This medium bodied ale has a very satisfying dryness and crispness that lingers on the palate. The carbonation is restrained and mouthfeel is soft and creamy.
By American standards this is hardly an IPA, but by modern English standards is right on style. Regardless of what it is called, it is very sessionable and refreshing. I noticed on the label that this English Bass is brewed in Baldwinsville, NY.
★ 872 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from an undated 12 oz. bottle: very nice, clear and bright copper with sustained, off-white head.
The label states this was dry-hopped, but the aroma is rather disappointing with some faint hop aroma but mainly a whiff of muddled malt.
The flavor begins with a somewhat sweet malt flavor with some earthiness. There is a faint hop bite that gives the ale a bittersweet aftertaste. This is a good example of an English ale - well rounded with nuanced flavors.
This medium bodied ale has a very satisfying dryness and crispness that lingers on the palate. The carbonation is restrained and mouthfeel is soft and creamy.
By American standards this is hardly an IPA, but by modern English standards is right on style. Regardless of what it is called, it is very sessionable and refreshing. I noticed on the label that this English Bass is brewed in Baldwinsville, NY.
★ 872 characters
3.56/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Bottled 11/22/12.
Pours a clear dark orange with a foamy bone colored head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, tea leaves, and some mild citrus zest aromas. Taste is much the same with malt and tea-like flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with some solid aromas and flavors that make it easy to drink.
★ 564 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Bottled 11/22/12.
Pours a clear dark orange with a foamy bone colored head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, tea leaves, and some mild citrus zest aromas. Taste is much the same with malt and tea-like flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with some solid aromas and flavors that make it easy to drink.
★ 564 characters
3.5/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 ouncer, w/o freshness info
Pours almond amber, with bubbles rapidly on the rise. Near clear, under a moderate khaki cap. Leaves almost respectable low sheting and middle of the road spots of lace.
Malt on the nose, with a hint of leafy hop.
Bready malts up front, along with some fresh tasting and quite drying hops. Balanced and pleasant enough. British all the way. Decent everyday kinda British style hoppy ale. Nice long finish. Works for me
★ 451 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12 ouncer, w/o freshness info
Pours almond amber, with bubbles rapidly on the rise. Near clear, under a moderate khaki cap. Leaves almost respectable low sheting and middle of the road spots of lace.
Malt on the nose, with a hint of leafy hop.
Bready malts up front, along with some fresh tasting and quite drying hops. Balanced and pleasant enough. British all the way. Decent everyday kinda British style hoppy ale. Nice long finish. Works for me
★ 451 characters
4.21/5 rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
exploded upon popping the cap.... lots of lacing, lots of creamy yopping, orang-ish transparent color.
smells malty, with hops.... slight citrus aroma... smells like candy.
taste is... citrus, slight grapefruit, sweet malts, very nice. dont see where the lower marks come in from other reviewers...
overall, hey! it's pretty decent! didnt know what to think of a BASS ipa.... i miss the BASS cream ale from LONG yesteryears ago.... wasnt sure what to think of this before i sniffed it. is why i bought it! i think it's good! i mean, the americans have the renegade, lawless heaping of the hops thing down to a science; the brits have done a decent job of trying to keep up, no?
★ 677 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
exploded upon popping the cap.... lots of lacing, lots of creamy yopping, orang-ish transparent color.
smells malty, with hops.... slight citrus aroma... smells like candy.
taste is... citrus, slight grapefruit, sweet malts, very nice. dont see where the lower marks come in from other reviewers...
overall, hey! it's pretty decent! didnt know what to think of a BASS ipa.... i miss the BASS cream ale from LONG yesteryears ago.... wasnt sure what to think of this before i sniffed it. is why i bought it! i think it's good! i mean, the americans have the renegade, lawless heaping of the hops thing down to a science; the brits have done a decent job of trying to keep up, no?
★ 677 characters
3.72/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Undated 12 oz. bottle served in a goblet.
A: Has a markedly orange-tinted amber color. Crystal clear with a small, moderately durable, white head. Some visible carbonation and a little lacing.
Aroma: Earthy, English hops dominate; hints of caramel and grapefruit.
T: Similar to aroma but a bit more earthy and hop-forward.
M: Medium-thin bodied; quite crisp and dry, especially the finish.
O: Well crafted English style IPA made in NY, USA. A pleasant surprise.
★ 471 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Undated 12 oz. bottle served in a goblet.
A: Has a markedly orange-tinted amber color. Crystal clear with a small, moderately durable, white head. Some visible carbonation and a little lacing.
Aroma: Earthy, English hops dominate; hints of caramel and grapefruit.
T: Similar to aroma but a bit more earthy and hop-forward.
M: Medium-thin bodied; quite crisp and dry, especially the finish.
O: Well crafted English style IPA made in NY, USA. A pleasant surprise.
★ 471 characters
3.58/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a decent creamy fizzy 1.5 finger head that fizzy fades at a fair rate but leaves nice pillowy lacing, over mostly clear slight hazy auburn amber reddish color.
Nose brings some light grassy leafy hops, lightly floral too, and a bit of candied citrus. Malts bring some caramel, biscuit, sweet malty base, and there is a hint of fruity aroma almost like a lager but it's not.
Taste starts malty and a bit sweet, caramel toasty malts, nice malty flavor, little toasty grainy. Then hops come in, fair bitterness with hops bringing grassy again, quite leafy and touch herbal, light noble grassy floral flavors, some light citrus and faint pine, and a juicy fruity hop character. Then they get spicy as it dries on the finish, fairly long bitter finish, nice bitter bite leaves earthy hops and on the way to astringent but doesn't get there, little sticky malt there too. However, the more I sip and the more it warms, I get some of that slightly skunky Bass Ale kinda flavor that detracts from it a bit.
Mouth is med bodied, fluffy carb.
Overall not bad, decent hop base that brings some noble grassy leafy hops, then a fairly spicy earthy bitter hip finish, and decent malt base to balance.impressed that this is from bass. It would be that much better if not for that last second skunky like flavor.
★ 1,306 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours a decent creamy fizzy 1.5 finger head that fizzy fades at a fair rate but leaves nice pillowy lacing, over mostly clear slight hazy auburn amber reddish color.
Nose brings some light grassy leafy hops, lightly floral too, and a bit of candied citrus. Malts bring some caramel, biscuit, sweet malty base, and there is a hint of fruity aroma almost like a lager but it's not.
Taste starts malty and a bit sweet, caramel toasty malts, nice malty flavor, little toasty grainy. Then hops come in, fair bitterness with hops bringing grassy again, quite leafy and touch herbal, light noble grassy floral flavors, some light citrus and faint pine, and a juicy fruity hop character. Then they get spicy as it dries on the finish, fairly long bitter finish, nice bitter bite leaves earthy hops and on the way to astringent but doesn't get there, little sticky malt there too. However, the more I sip and the more it warms, I get some of that slightly skunky Bass Ale kinda flavor that detracts from it a bit.
Mouth is med bodied, fluffy carb.
Overall not bad, decent hop base that brings some noble grassy leafy hops, then a fairly spicy earthy bitter hip finish, and decent malt base to balance.impressed that this is from bass. It would be that much better if not for that last second skunky like flavor.
★ 1,306 characters
3.43/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dark amber body with a thin, white and somewhat sticky head. Soft cereal grain nose with a light floral hop aroma. The taste comes across with a bright sweetness and a spiffy hop bittering sting; caramel and crystal malt character. The mouthfeel is medium and smooth with a semi-dry finish.
A nicely done IPA featuring more of a malt character rather than focusing on the hops like its American-styled cousins. This isn't to say that there isn't a nice hop profile working with this beer. Nicely balanced and easy drinking...
★ 526 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dark amber body with a thin, white and somewhat sticky head. Soft cereal grain nose with a light floral hop aroma. The taste comes across with a bright sweetness and a spiffy hop bittering sting; caramel and crystal malt character. The mouthfeel is medium and smooth with a semi-dry finish.
A nicely done IPA featuring more of a malt character rather than focusing on the hops like its American-styled cousins. This isn't to say that there isn't a nice hop profile working with this beer. Nicely balanced and easy drinking...
★ 526 characters
3.9/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a clear amber hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.
The smell featured leafy hops, clean caramel and a slight diactyl.
The taste was well balanced with a dry cracker like malt highlighted by a vibrant leafy hop medley. As advertised, both English and American hops detected.
The was clean with a dry finish.
Overall a very impressive suprise here. Very quaffable.
★ 417 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a clear amber hue with a one finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.
The smell featured leafy hops, clean caramel and a slight diactyl.
The taste was well balanced with a dry cracker like malt highlighted by a vibrant leafy hop medley. As advertised, both English and American hops detected.
The was clean with a dry finish.
Overall a very impressive suprise here. Very quaffable.
★ 417 characters
3.45/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A - Copper color with a one-finger, off-white head of foam. It left minimal lacing.
S - Floral with bread crust and caramel malt.
T - Fairly malty with some toffee and caramel sweetness. Light grassy bitterness.
M - It was crisp and sharp. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.
O - This is an okay English IPA.
★ 315 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A - Copper color with a one-finger, off-white head of foam. It left minimal lacing.
S - Floral with bread crust and caramel malt.
T - Fairly malty with some toffee and caramel sweetness. Light grassy bitterness.
M - It was crisp and sharp. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.
O - This is an okay English IPA.
★ 315 characters
3.5/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I liked this beer. It has a feel of a real English I.P.A. I think some of the micro breweries just throw in hops just to say "we have the most hops". When they do that they really lose the overall balance of the beer. Good job Bass!
★ 232 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I liked this beer. It has a feel of a real English I.P.A. I think some of the micro breweries just throw in hops just to say "we have the most hops". When they do that they really lose the overall balance of the beer. Good job Bass!
★ 232 characters
India Pale Ale from Bass Brewers Limited
3.47
out of 5
based on 132 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Got on draft, served with a thick short lived head. It had decent lacing and a clear golden color. Not a distinct smell and a slightly watery taste. Not bad,and it went well with clam chowder.
★ 192 characters