United Dairy Farmers Milkshake IPA
Taft's Brewing Co.

 

I got a can of this beer off the single shelf from my local Giant Eagle store. It poured a clear ruby hued amber with thin white head that is not leaving much lace. The scent had strawberry notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with ripe semi sour strawberry and mixed berry presence. The mouthfeel was medium in body and had good carbonation. Overall it is a great beer.

 

If you recognize this stripe design, you know the deal. This IPA is inspired by the UDF line and is a low-bitter ale with the addition of lactose. It isn't quite as creamy as a signature shake but it is an approachable, smooth IPA for all.

 

 

Sweeter, creamier, and chocked with fruity hop flavor, Taft's Ale House celebrates the efforts of United Dairy Farmers by making an IPA with a sweeter balance with generous additions of lactose, cereal grains and restraint.

Pouring a bold golden color, UDF Milkshake IPA caps off with a creamy white crown before drawing the senses with citrus, tropical and herbal perfumes backed with a creamy cereal sweet scent. And that sweetness extends onto the early palate with strong suggestions of honey, shortcake and vanilla cream.

Then the attention turns to the hops as the citrus pulls ahead with impressions of orange juice, grapefruit juice and more nuanced lime contributions. With a backdrop of pineapple, lighter mango and papaya, the tropical flavors also make a solid mark. And with that dense underlayment of creamy malts, the fruity hop flavors carry a branch-ripe character, fresh and juicy. Yet trending bitter, a sharper finishes of pine, hemp and fresh grass clippings decorate the late palate in a drying and refreshing late taste.

Full bodied but continuing on that drying track, the beer's early richness makes up a lot of ground with a snappy, resinous and smooth bitterness that gives the beer a traditional IPA finish and a gin-like character in a long aftertaste.

Pours a rich orange with a moderate head and heavy lacing. Surprisingly not much on the nose, some sweetness; fruit, but fairly subdued. Upon the tongue it tastes as expected of the style. This is well done in that the citrus of the hops is in harmony with the lactose. At no point does the lactose overwhelm or go overtly sour. This is a very easy drinking Milkshake IPA.