Lawn Mower ISA
Iron Goat Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

 

32oz “grunt” purchased at the brewery’s taproom on Friday night for $5-6. I’ve had it before but hadn’t done an actual review before.

Poured into a 21oz “drinking jar,” this was a hazy orange-amber color that took on the look of burnished copper when held up to light. Initially there was a good sized beige head, but it dropped fairly quickly to a sudsy collar.

Citrusy hop aroma, but with a decent-sized bready malt backbone. While well-balanced, there’s a lot of hop aroma for something that’s only 4.5%abv.

Lots of hop flavor hitting the taste buds. There’s enough of a malty backbone to provide contrast, but although meant as a session beer, it’s definitely an IPA. I forget which hops are used in this, but they hit a sweet spot between citrus sweetness and piney bitterness, along with a slight, honeyish flavor. Quite a lot of hop aftertaste to this. It may be lower strength than a typical IPA, but it has the same kind of impact on the palate.

Not exactly what I’d call light bodied, but it’s definitely lighter than a typical IPA. Mouthfeel is coating and resiny.

While at the brewery, I picked up the most recent issue of the BA mag, and the Bros.’s editorial was ironically a vent about the session IPA. When it comes to this beer, I really don’t see the problem. It drinks like an IPA, it just carries a lighter weight alcohol punch. I’d say mission accomplished.

I hope this session IPA bandwagon becomes a full fledged institution.

A - Pours a light orange with a one finger white head.

S - good pop to the hops, a little bit of citrus acidity to the nose.

T - good full hop flavor, definitely leans away from the malt.

M - Pretty light bodied but not incredibly so. pretty much dead on for a beer intended to be downed in succession.

O - This is one of their stronger beers to date and I hope they make it more than just a spring offering.