India Pale Ale
The Tap Brewing Company

This wasn't the best beer I had today at the tap.

Dark brownish/red, it had a piney smell to it. I found the consistency to be rather syrupy. While not unpleasant, it wasn't as great a mouthfeel as it could have been. The taste was one of sweet malt, with the piney taste in the finish. I would order something different at the tap before this again. pat

Interesting that when I sampled this at the brewpub, they had ABV for this ale listed on their chalkboard at 4.75%. Different batches swing wildly in ABV? Hmmmm. What's up? Especially since this IPA stands out in my mind as one of my favorites in New England.

Decent peachy amber pour with a fast-disappearing head. Terrific floral, grassy hop aroma. Very dry mouthfeel and dry finish. Slight bready malt flavor upon first sip, but really this is all about the IBU's. Huge hop presence. If my batch ABV is correct, the low malt presence and lack of alcohol warmth might just go hand in hand.

Stiil, a hop-head will love it.

Sampled on tap at the brewpub.
INDIA PALE ALE 16 degrees plato, 6.5% alcohol, 55

This IPA poured a clear, orange-amber-red color with thin white foam. The smell was modest: mild hops with a bit of malt. The taste was a chewy hop bonanza (seemed higher than 55 IBU), both floral and bitter, with a bit of sweet, caramel malt flavor in the background. The mouthfeel was crisp and hoppy. The body was medium with medium carbonation feel. The feel was a bit astringent. This was a nice IPA, but could use a bit more malt to balance.

On cask at NERAX '03

Nice amber with a solid head. A very drinkable mild (for an american) IPA. The balance is perfection. The Simcoe hops are quite kind to the taste buds. Slightly sweet and slightly bitter. A very solid IPA. I look forward to a trip to Haverhill in the future.