2nd Anniversary Ale
Branchline Brewing Co.
- From:
- Branchline Brewing Co.
- Texas, United States
- Style:
- Imperial IPA
- ABV:
- Not listed
- Score:
- +4 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 3.6 | pDev: 15.83%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 1
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Dec 12, 2016
- Added:
- Mar 30, 2015
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by Jugs_McGhee from Texas
2.56/5 rDev -28.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
2.56/5 rDev -28.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
BOTTLE: Brown glass. Unbranded pry-off pressure cap. 1 pint 9.4 fl oz.
Acquired: At an Austin, TX bottle shop.
Reviewed live at low altitude in Austin, TX. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.
Vintage: 2014. Bottle #1778/1848.
ABV: 9%+
Style: "Belgian style imperial rye IPA."
Serving temp: Cold.
Serving vessel: Tulip.
Expectations: Average. This is my first beer from Branchline.
No bubble show forms as it's poured.
HEAD: ~2 inches wide. White colour. Foamy and frothy as hell for an IPA. Even consistency. Soft complexion.
Retention: Quite good for 9+% - ~5-6 minutes.
BODY: Hazy nontransparent dark copper. Darker than most IPAs (rye or otherwise). I see no yeast particulate. Is this really Belgian style, or did they just throw in some candi sugar and call it good?
AROMA: On the sweeter side. Copper malts, candi sugar, soft floral hops, flowery notes, and a glimmer of subtle rye spiciness.
Aromatic intensity: mild to moderate.
Suggests a soft pleasant brew with a rough balance. I'm not sure the hops seem all that well tailored to the malts, and the purported Belgian characteristics are underwhelming.
TASTE: Soft mellow floral hop notes dominate. Some mild copper malts and pale malts provide some moderate sweetness which the Belgian candi sugar amplifies. Has no Belgian yeast character - there's no biscuity characteristics, clove, allspice, etc. There's a hint of rye's signature spiciness, but they could just as easily have used a cheaper malt to no ill effect. I guess there's a hint of spruce or birch? It has a sticky nectary note of some kind...
Depth of flavour: Average.
Flavour duration: Average.
Flavour intensity: Average.
Flavour amplitude: Decent.
I find it too entirely bitter on the finish. Quite imbalanced, and not horribly intricate or subtle. Far from a gestalt build for an imperial IPA.
TEXTURE: I dig its softness, but the rest of the texture isn't as soft. Medium-bodied. A bit dragging and coarse on the palate; maybe the rye is doing this is a disservice. Coating and sticky. Not at all quenching or refreshing.
Not oily, gushed, hot, boozy, astringent, harsh, rough, or scratchy.
It's an extinguishing, unpleasant presence on the palate. Not at all ideal for the style. This mouthfeel fails to elevate the beer or to accentuate specific notes.
OVERALL: A subpar imperial IPA from Branchline. The gimmicks of the Belgian elements and the rye malt don't help it much. I'm glad I have company to help me finish the bottle; this isn't very drinkable. I can't say I'm excited to try Branchline's other offerings. There's nothing here for the discerning drinker. Well below average.
Low C- (2.56)
Mar 30, 2015Acquired: At an Austin, TX bottle shop.
Reviewed live at low altitude in Austin, TX. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.
Vintage: 2014. Bottle #1778/1848.
ABV: 9%+
Style: "Belgian style imperial rye IPA."
Serving temp: Cold.
Serving vessel: Tulip.
Expectations: Average. This is my first beer from Branchline.
No bubble show forms as it's poured.
HEAD: ~2 inches wide. White colour. Foamy and frothy as hell for an IPA. Even consistency. Soft complexion.
Retention: Quite good for 9+% - ~5-6 minutes.
BODY: Hazy nontransparent dark copper. Darker than most IPAs (rye or otherwise). I see no yeast particulate. Is this really Belgian style, or did they just throw in some candi sugar and call it good?
AROMA: On the sweeter side. Copper malts, candi sugar, soft floral hops, flowery notes, and a glimmer of subtle rye spiciness.
Aromatic intensity: mild to moderate.
Suggests a soft pleasant brew with a rough balance. I'm not sure the hops seem all that well tailored to the malts, and the purported Belgian characteristics are underwhelming.
TASTE: Soft mellow floral hop notes dominate. Some mild copper malts and pale malts provide some moderate sweetness which the Belgian candi sugar amplifies. Has no Belgian yeast character - there's no biscuity characteristics, clove, allspice, etc. There's a hint of rye's signature spiciness, but they could just as easily have used a cheaper malt to no ill effect. I guess there's a hint of spruce or birch? It has a sticky nectary note of some kind...
Depth of flavour: Average.
Flavour duration: Average.
Flavour intensity: Average.
Flavour amplitude: Decent.
I find it too entirely bitter on the finish. Quite imbalanced, and not horribly intricate or subtle. Far from a gestalt build for an imperial IPA.
TEXTURE: I dig its softness, but the rest of the texture isn't as soft. Medium-bodied. A bit dragging and coarse on the palate; maybe the rye is doing this is a disservice. Coating and sticky. Not at all quenching or refreshing.
Not oily, gushed, hot, boozy, astringent, harsh, rough, or scratchy.
It's an extinguishing, unpleasant presence on the palate. Not at all ideal for the style. This mouthfeel fails to elevate the beer or to accentuate specific notes.
OVERALL: A subpar imperial IPA from Branchline. The gimmicks of the Belgian elements and the rye malt don't help it much. I'm glad I have company to help me finish the bottle; this isn't very drinkable. I can't say I'm excited to try Branchline's other offerings. There's nothing here for the discerning drinker. Well below average.
Low C- (2.56)
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