Hoppy Java Coffee IPA
Flying Fish Brewing Company

My earlier beer was a coffee-infused IPA so I figured that I would stick with that trend for my next beer, also in support of The CANQuest (tm), but from a different brewer/brewery.

From the CAN: "Ale Brewed with Locally Roasted Coffee"; "This light bodied, immensely hopped IPA has a distinct coffee presence thanks to cold brewed coffee from Revolution Roasters. Combining two of the most important food groups - coffee and beer - Hoppy Java creates the sensory surprise of a light colored ale matched with an intense coffee aroma and flavor."

I Crack!ed the vent on this one & beCAN a slow, gentle Glug into the awaiting glass. I was elated as it foamed up of its own accord to form two-plus fingers of dense, foamy, rocky, tawny head with moderate retention. Color was a faintly hazy Golden-Amber (SRM = > 5, < 7). Nose was redolent with coffee, which was fine in and of itself, but not so great when reviewing & rating to style. Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was overwhelmingly redolent with coffee but the bitterness of the hops was also beginning to come through. It would be interesting to know which hop varieties were used in the production of this beer. Finish was dry & bitter, which is correct for the style, except for the fact that it was driven by the coffee & not the hops. I am perhaps less of a fan of adjunct-driven AIPAs than others, but this just was not my cuppa joe. YMMV.

The reviews here are much higher, as is mine, the 3rd review, of this nice coffee backed IPA.
a) As with most all additive beers the look is pulled down by a weak, less lacey head. But otherwise, bronze tinged copper (it's the coffee!)
s) As expected a well formed IPA with that back layer of fresh black coffee no cream, nutty and fresh.
t) I like the refractions of hop bitter and strong bitter nutty coffee as an undertone to an otherwise solid IPA.
f) Even has a coffee like pucker along with the dry, hoppy pucker.
o) Well done, not as overdone, or as intense as many others which are more Imperial. I think this finds a super mid note.

 

 

 

 

 

Poured into a grip shaped goblet: color is gold, transparent, head is off white to light tan with fine bubbles, head presents about 1/2 inch thick and dissipates to solid top.

Smell is light coffee with aromatics similar to a lighter blend, hop bitterness comes through with light herbs, grass and hint of citrus.

Taste is similar to aroma with pleasant coffee notes, light fruity blend like flavors; malt is light and pleasant, not overly sweet; hops are citrus and grass, not detracting from coffee notes.

Mouthfeel is quite good with moderate carbonation, good bitterness and bright presence that lingers.

Overall a good, near great coffee ipa with great look, good aroma, and pleasant flavor and presence.

 

 

16 oz can poured into a pub style pint glass.

Appearance
Golden. Good clarity. Lively carbonation. 1 finger of loose white head.

Nose
Light roast coffee, nutty, chocolate, grapefruit, pine, and caramel.

Taste
Light roasted coffee with nutty and chocolate undercurrents. Grapefruit zest and pine needle. Light caramel maltiness.

Mouthfeel
Light bodied, crisp, moderately bitter, and semi-dry.

Overall
The flavors work beautifully together. Easy drinking for the abv.