Jacks N Jokers
Ocelot Brewing Company

 

Poured from a 16oz can into pint glass in November 2022. The canned date on the bottom of the can was 6/1/22. I drank this about 2 months after purchase.

Appearance: Light gold color with 3-finger white head. It has a very hazy complexion. The head is very thick, and it lasts a few minutes, leaving a small covering. There is a large amount of lacing on the glass.

Smell: Strong aroma of pineapple and pine, as well as some hops and grapefruit. The aroma was moderately strong as soon as the can was opened. The fruit aromas are more prominent than the other aromas.

Taste: Nice balanced taste between the fruit (grapefruit and pineapple) and hops that is not overpowering. Also, some orange flavors. The sweetness and bitter edge are well-balanced. Has a very nice after-taste that lasts a moderate amount of time. Overall a nice balance and very drinkable.

Mouthfeel: Medium body. Also, moderate average alcohol, which matches the 7.2% listed on the can. Interesting that the ABV listed here for this beer is 6.6%. Wonder if the ABV has changed over time or was a typo here before.

This is a very good IPA. It has a nice mix of citrus, hops, and other flavors, which makes it enjoyable. The overall balance is excellent. A very good IPA from Ocelot, and comparable to Solace Brewing which is nearby. A dependable IPA for drinking anytime of the year. I will definitely buy this again.

On tap, pours a moderately hazy yellow-gold. Dank and fruity, with a pleasant hit of bitterness in the finish. Excellent beer.

Revisit two weeks later than the quick review below:
The nose is coming to me a more fruit salad and somewhat perfumey. The strength from a two month old can is impressive, though. It's still a bit less than medium in feel, and there is some tropical fruit salad in the opening when cold. The back end bitterness is mildly aggressive as it turns to citrus rind, then full on pith, then lightly piney. This bitterness is nice, but could use just a bit more of a foil from the malts. That said, as it warms, the back end classic bitter notes sneak forward and that seems to work better as the contrast to an opening isn't as stark.

Just realized this review sounds critical, but I'm really enjoying the beer and focusing on what keeps it from being more highly rated. A think it would be a great option for anyone pining for a little more old school IPA.

Quick review:
This one harkens back to some of the Ocelot beers I liked in my first introduction to them. Citrusy and vegetal, I get a ton of grapefruit in the taste. There’s a more general citrus note on the edges, and the bitterness is within that via a citrus pith vibe. Medium at most, there is a little bit of bite that could be smoothed out, but otherwise a strong beer, in my opinion.

 

 

 

 

 

Harsh bitterness.

 

Poured a cloudy orange body with minimal head and lace. The aroma wasn't just acidic and orange but like pulpy orange juice. Smooth bodied beer with an acidic bitter orange juice flavor yet retains a sweetness that is enjoyable. Fuller body with minimal bitterness and an enjoyable beer.

 

Medium bodied, very fruity with orange/crisp cantaloupe dominating the flavor with grassy finish. A little more body and this would be a knockout but at 6%, a very good to great fruit forward IPA

 

The beer is slight hazy for the style but still looks good. The smell and taste have a really nice sweet orange hop note while the taste also has a good grassy bitterness to it. It's pretty good.