Arthur's IPA
Otto's Pub and Brewery

 

 

All-around solid English style IPA, really impressive malt backbone that compliments the hop profile with some buttered biscuit flavors, hops are not overpowering more of a fuggle style but has a good bitter snap, very smooth mouthfeel.

I was fundamentally disappointed with Arthur's IPA (casked) from Otto's. I typically enjoy Otto's beers however this beer was a swing and miss. While it claims to be an IPA, I found almost no hops anywhere in my glass. There was a faint hint of a potentially citrus hop nose but it took some imagination to believe. The only redeeming flavor (a generous adjective in this case) was the woody smokiness from the cask however it only resulted in a beer that was a half-step above an oaky carbonated water. I would not order this beer again. All this being said, Otto's still makes other great beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Served on hand pull cask in a pint glass

Appearance – Served a slightly hazy golden amber colored brew with a one finger white head. The head fades rather fast leaving a nice foamy lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The aroma is a nice mix of fruity, sweet, malty and hop smells. The fruit is of a light tropical and apple nature while the sweet is of a caramel smell. The maltiness of a bready nature is mixed with a grapefruit and light earthy hop aroma overall producing a nice clean smell.

Taste – The taste begins with a caramel and bready taste upfront with only a hint of grapefruit hop. As the flavor advances however the grapefruit grows quite a bit stronger in nature and is joined by some flavors of pine hop at the end. Along with the pine however a little bit of earthy hop and alight fruitiness of a more citrus and apple nature greet the tongue as well, with the mix of flavors in the end leaving a rather balanced hop/sweet/malt blend to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – As may be expected for a cask brew the carbonation was on the low side with a body that was on the creamier and thicker side. The combo was rather nice for the beer overall suiting the balanced blend of flavors rather nicely.

Overall – This is a fine and tasty brew. Very easy drinking and quite flavorful and balanced. One to try if you get a chance.

A: Coppery-amber in color. By the time it got to the table, there was only a thin disk of off-white foam, but there was significant lacing up to the top of the glass.

S: caramel, toffee, toasted malt, grapefruit, and an herbal/earthy undertone

T: very similar to the aroma, except more assertive than I expected. It complemented my meal very nicely.

M: Moderate levels of carbonation add a velvety mouthfeel that's quite pleasant.

O: It was very good on tap. I'd definitely get it again.