India Pale Ale | Meantime Brewing Company Limited
Brewed by:
Meantime Brewing Company Limited
United Kingdom (England) | website
Style: English India Pale Ale (IPA)
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 7.50%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 08-12-2005
Reviews: 350 | Ratings: 586
3.28/5 rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
From Club del Gourmet of Corte Ingles El Duque. In Teku glass. After dinner. Not bad, but traditional english hops arent as tasty nor aromatic as modern ones from usa, new zealand, etc.
★ 185 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
From Club del Gourmet of Corte Ingles El Duque. In Teku glass. After dinner. Not bad, but traditional english hops arent as tasty nor aromatic as modern ones from usa, new zealand, etc.
★ 185 characters
4.16/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Very floral and herbal hops in the nose. Orangey and bright. A hint of diacetyl. A bit grassy. Followed by caramel malt flavors. Bready, somewhat sweet. Fresh biscuits and toast. Complex and inviting.
Pours somewhat hazy orange with an off-white head. Decent retention and lacing.
Fruity orangey hops upfront followed with sweet toasty malts. Lightly caramelized sugars and hearty bread. Apricots and grassy herbs. Firmly bitter, but still quite balanced. Sweet upfront but finishes with a nice crisp dryness. A hint of diacetyl in the finish.
Medium full body with medium low carbonation. Somewhat chewy without feeling heavy or cloying.
Nice balance of English hops and rich malts. Lots going on with a fairly clean finish making it quite quaffable.
★ 757 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Very floral and herbal hops in the nose. Orangey and bright. A hint of diacetyl. A bit grassy. Followed by caramel malt flavors. Bready, somewhat sweet. Fresh biscuits and toast. Complex and inviting.
Pours somewhat hazy orange with an off-white head. Decent retention and lacing.
Fruity orangey hops upfront followed with sweet toasty malts. Lightly caramelized sugars and hearty bread. Apricots and grassy herbs. Firmly bitter, but still quite balanced. Sweet upfront but finishes with a nice crisp dryness. A hint of diacetyl in the finish.
Medium full body with medium low carbonation. Somewhat chewy without feeling heavy or cloying.
Nice balance of English hops and rich malts. Lots going on with a fairly clean finish making it quite quaffable.
★ 757 characters
4.5/5 rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Pours dark gold to amber with a slight chill haze under a fluffy 2”off white head that produces extensive lace.
S: Fresh grain, pear, biscuit with moderate hops.
T: Malts range from caramel to toast, fruit – pear, melon, plum, some biscuit. Medium hop, moderate bitter. Malt is also moderate. Finishes medium to dry.
F: Creamy and smooth, medium body, medium to low carbonation.
O: A very well balanced and flavorful India Pale Ale.
★ 442 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
L: Pours dark gold to amber with a slight chill haze under a fluffy 2”off white head that produces extensive lace.
S: Fresh grain, pear, biscuit with moderate hops.
T: Malts range from caramel to toast, fruit – pear, melon, plum, some biscuit. Medium hop, moderate bitter. Malt is also moderate. Finishes medium to dry.
F: Creamy and smooth, medium body, medium to low carbonation.
O: A very well balanced and flavorful India Pale Ale.
★ 442 characters
3.39/5 rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Looks: clear, golden-amber color, with thin but lasting foam
Smell: caramel, mango, strawberry, tropical fruit
Taste: caramel malt, roasted malt (coffee), chocolate, hop bitterness, hop flavor is leaning towards piney
Feel: light on palate
Overall: very nice!
★ 264 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Looks: clear, golden-amber color, with thin but lasting foam
Smell: caramel, mango, strawberry, tropical fruit
Taste: caramel malt, roasted malt (coffee), chocolate, hop bitterness, hop flavor is leaning towards piney
Feel: light on palate
Overall: very nice!
★ 264 characters
3.82/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: A clean and clear golden strawberry color with a very nice cloudy head and great lacing.
Nose: Tropical fruit with some raisin and banana. A little citrus at the end.
Taste: Malt and hops play back and fourth. The hops comes in citrusy and zesty. It is quite sweet. Some grapefruit and orange in the end.
Notes: The brits may have done it first, but I don't think they do it best. This, however, is a very nice example of what an IPA can be.
★ 464 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: A clean and clear golden strawberry color with a very nice cloudy head and great lacing.
Nose: Tropical fruit with some raisin and banana. A little citrus at the end.
Taste: Malt and hops play back and fourth. The hops comes in citrusy and zesty. It is quite sweet. Some grapefruit and orange in the end.
Notes: The brits may have done it first, but I don't think they do it best. This, however, is a very nice example of what an IPA can be.
★ 464 characters
3.9/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Great looking beer, lots of lacing left on the glass. Very British in the style. Loads of earthy, grassy hops. Medium high bitterness with excellent drinkability. I prefer American hops, but it is certainly a great beer!
★ 220 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Great looking beer, lots of lacing left on the glass. Very British in the style. Loads of earthy, grassy hops. Medium high bitterness with excellent drinkability. I prefer American hops, but it is certainly a great beer!
★ 220 characters
3.45/5 rDev -12%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: Caramel with a nice consistent haze, almost no carbonation, 3 fingers of sea foam caramel tinged white head. Frost on a window for lacing.
S: Sweet malty cereal quality, banana candy, not a lot more than this so far. Perhaps a hint of orange candy or lollipop.
T: A mean sweet and bitter balance, first sweet, then bitter on the palate. The same cereal candy quality comes in, a hint of orange lollipop, then a grapefruit pith like finish.
M: Medium balanced body, little fine carbonation. Smooth, but resinous coating is left on the back of the tongue.
O: Really nice brew, found in Kunming and drank here January 20th, 2014. Will let it warm a little and see how it does with Burger King.
★ 707 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: Caramel with a nice consistent haze, almost no carbonation, 3 fingers of sea foam caramel tinged white head. Frost on a window for lacing.
S: Sweet malty cereal quality, banana candy, not a lot more than this so far. Perhaps a hint of orange candy or lollipop.
T: A mean sweet and bitter balance, first sweet, then bitter on the palate. The same cereal candy quality comes in, a hint of orange lollipop, then a grapefruit pith like finish.
M: Medium balanced body, little fine carbonation. Smooth, but resinous coating is left on the back of the tongue.
O: Really nice brew, found in Kunming and drank here January 20th, 2014. Will let it warm a little and see how it does with Burger King.
★ 707 characters
3.61/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A: hazy; burnt orange in color; with a fairly aggressive pour, <1 finger light khaki head that receded to a splotchy cap; OK lacing;
S: floral and toffee;
T: earthy for a moment, then a tangy floral; from the middle on, it tobacco; finish is mildly bitter;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: a nice English IPA;
★ 346 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A: hazy; burnt orange in color; with a fairly aggressive pour, <1 finger light khaki head that receded to a splotchy cap; OK lacing;
S: floral and toffee;
T: earthy for a moment, then a tangy floral; from the middle on, it tobacco; finish is mildly bitter;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: a nice English IPA;
★ 346 characters
4/5 rDev +2%
Poured a slightly cloudy, golden orange. Full head, fairly persistaent head, flass to a persistent collar.
Slightly tropical, spicey aroma, possible hints of toffee as it warms to temp.
Full, smooth, bitterness from start to finish. Slightly hop forward, but mostly well balanced. Med to Med Lt body. Good , clean finish.
Would recommend, and would buy again.
★ 369 characters
Poured a slightly cloudy, golden orange. Full head, fairly persistaent head, flass to a persistent collar.
Slightly tropical, spicey aroma, possible hints of toffee as it warms to temp.
Full, smooth, bitterness from start to finish. Slightly hop forward, but mostly well balanced. Med to Med Lt body. Good , clean finish.
Would recommend, and would buy again.
★ 369 characters
3.75/5 rDev -4.3%
Cloudy orange colour, big head that leaves a good lace. Smell of tropical fruits, citirus, spices and caramel. Good carbonation, medium to full body, Taste of tropical fruits, spices, pine, bitter finish.
★ 204 characters
Cloudy orange colour, big head that leaves a good lace. Smell of tropical fruits, citirus, spices and caramel. Good carbonation, medium to full body, Taste of tropical fruits, spices, pine, bitter finish.
★ 204 characters
3.52/5 rDev -10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bomber > Pint Glass
A - Cloudy caramel amber with a finger of white thick frothy head, medium lacing.
S - Tart orange, sweet roasted caramel malt, a little honey, pear, pine, somewhat astringent.
T - Very very sweet caramel malt, bready, slightly tart, orange, a little nutty, very sweet and kinda singular in forms.
M - Clingy sweet chewy bleh.
O - Big disappointment for me, overly sweet, not enough balance with the hops.
★ 428 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bomber > Pint Glass
A - Cloudy caramel amber with a finger of white thick frothy head, medium lacing.
S - Tart orange, sweet roasted caramel malt, a little honey, pear, pine, somewhat astringent.
T - Very very sweet caramel malt, bready, slightly tart, orange, a little nutty, very sweet and kinda singular in forms.
M - Clingy sweet chewy bleh.
O - Big disappointment for me, overly sweet, not enough balance with the hops.
★ 428 characters
4.02/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 750ml caged & corked bottle into an imperial pint glass.
A: The beer is a deep gold color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick but spotty lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, honey, citrus and a good amount of hops.
T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of caramel, honey and citrus. Then a hearty malt character comes in. The hops presence is a bit subdued for the style but it’s complementary and provides a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly hoppy.
M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, this is a very solid beer to drink for a long time if you want an IPA with less of an edge than most.
★ 824 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 750ml caged & corked bottle into an imperial pint glass.
A: The beer is a deep gold color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick but spotty lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains caramelized malts, honey, citrus and a good amount of hops.
T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of caramel, honey and citrus. Then a hearty malt character comes in. The hops presence is a bit subdued for the style but it’s complementary and provides a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly hoppy.
M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.
O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, this is a very solid beer to drink for a long time if you want an IPA with less of an edge than most.
★ 824 characters
4/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
11.2 oz bottle was poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: A one finger head was poured that reduced to a thin layer. It is a slightly hazy pale orange color with some vision of bubbles coming up through the glass.
Smell: Some citrus fruitiness, pungent, floral, toasted, and caramel malts.
Taste: Herbal, citrus, chewy toasted malts, and sweet caramel to balance things out. Mild tingly bitterness in the rear.
Mouthfeel: A bit smooth, chewy, light to medium bodied, and medium carbonation.
Overall: For an EIPA, this is probably the best one that I have had so far. Hoppy, herbal, malty, and delicious.
★ 607 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
11.2 oz bottle was poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: A one finger head was poured that reduced to a thin layer. It is a slightly hazy pale orange color with some vision of bubbles coming up through the glass.
Smell: Some citrus fruitiness, pungent, floral, toasted, and caramel malts.
Taste: Herbal, citrus, chewy toasted malts, and sweet caramel to balance things out. Mild tingly bitterness in the rear.
Mouthfeel: A bit smooth, chewy, light to medium bodied, and medium carbonation.
Overall: For an EIPA, this is probably the best one that I have had so far. Hoppy, herbal, malty, and delicious.
★ 607 characters
3.78/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Hazy, light orange color (darker oranger with the final pour), with a decent light beige head.
Smell: Something malty, oily and ...cheesy (in a positive way) complemented / balanced out by a certain kind of hoppy freshness.
Taste: Similar balanced taste; very pleasant.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, medium carbonation, smooth texture.
Drinkability/Overall: Very pleasant beer; complemented very well (after initial sips) with mature cheddar and blue cheese.
P.S. My bottle's label mentioned a 7.4% abv; not 7.5% as mentioned in the description above.
★ 562 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Appearance: Hazy, light orange color (darker oranger with the final pour), with a decent light beige head.
Smell: Something malty, oily and ...cheesy (in a positive way) complemented / balanced out by a certain kind of hoppy freshness.
Taste: Similar balanced taste; very pleasant.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, medium carbonation, smooth texture.
Drinkability/Overall: Very pleasant beer; complemented very well (after initial sips) with mature cheddar and blue cheese.
P.S. My bottle's label mentioned a 7.4% abv; not 7.5% as mentioned in the description above.
★ 562 characters
3.88/5 rDev -1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
11.2 oz bottle poured into a small milkshake pilsner glass. Best before 24 01 15. Date stamp of L132053 13 56.
Appearance: Hazy golden-amber. Thin off-white head. Some small islands and strands of persistent lacing, especially towards the bottom of the glass.
Smell: Lemon, malt, some herbal hops.
Taste: Pleasantly hoppy and bitter. Solid malt backbone with some notes of honey in the sweetness. A floral finish.
Mouthfeel: Good carbonation, chewy, a bit sticky on the teeth.
Overall / Drinkability: For the price of a small bottle, not something I would buy again. Good, but not amazing. However, if it were on cask in the UK at a lower price, I think I would definitely have another. A beer for savoring, and all the flavors come out at proper British beer temperatures. Let it warm up a bit to get the aromas and tastes. So a good beer overall, but rather expensive to have often or to drink a lot of.
★ 915 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
11.2 oz bottle poured into a small milkshake pilsner glass. Best before 24 01 15. Date stamp of L132053 13 56.
Appearance: Hazy golden-amber. Thin off-white head. Some small islands and strands of persistent lacing, especially towards the bottom of the glass.
Smell: Lemon, malt, some herbal hops.
Taste: Pleasantly hoppy and bitter. Solid malt backbone with some notes of honey in the sweetness. A floral finish.
Mouthfeel: Good carbonation, chewy, a bit sticky on the teeth.
Overall / Drinkability: For the price of a small bottle, not something I would buy again. Good, but not amazing. However, if it were on cask in the UK at a lower price, I think I would definitely have another. A beer for savoring, and all the flavors come out at proper British beer temperatures. Let it warm up a bit to get the aromas and tastes. So a good beer overall, but rather expensive to have often or to drink a lot of.
★ 915 characters
3.85/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
330ml bottles into a pint glass.
Pours a hazy medium gold with a one finger white head. Head quickly fades into just a tiny cap with some small splotches of lace on the sides of the glass.
The aroma is unique from many IPA's I have had. There is some orange and pineapple along with a bit of spice. Some grass and tree bark lending a very Earthy character. Even a touch of roast and wood. Pretty nice.
The flavor continues the earth, woody themes. There is just a small amount of orange but the majority of the flavor is grass, hay, and woods. There is a slight dankness just complimenting the Earth. Bitterness is on the moderate side with a slightly sweet, sticky finish. The flavor, I feel, fades out a little too quickly and I would like it to be a little punchier.
Overall, a pretty decent English IPA from a good brewery in England. I would really like to try some more of this brewery's beers.
★ 904 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
330ml bottles into a pint glass.
Pours a hazy medium gold with a one finger white head. Head quickly fades into just a tiny cap with some small splotches of lace on the sides of the glass.
The aroma is unique from many IPA's I have had. There is some orange and pineapple along with a bit of spice. Some grass and tree bark lending a very Earthy character. Even a touch of roast and wood. Pretty nice.
The flavor continues the earth, woody themes. There is just a small amount of orange but the majority of the flavor is grass, hay, and woods. There is a slight dankness just complimenting the Earth. Bitterness is on the moderate side with a slightly sweet, sticky finish. The flavor, I feel, fades out a little too quickly and I would like it to be a little punchier.
Overall, a pretty decent English IPA from a good brewery in England. I would really like to try some more of this brewery's beers.
★ 904 characters
3.8/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: Slightly dulled amber. Great big foamy slightly off-white head.
S: Soapy bathwatery hops.
T: A harsh backbone of bitterness and burned toast. Not a lot of fruit character. Soapy/bathwatery hops in the mouth after swallowing.
O: I'm sure it's well made but I'm really not keen on it. There's no way I could finish a bottle to myself.
★ 338 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
A: Slightly dulled amber. Great big foamy slightly off-white head.
S: Soapy bathwatery hops.
T: A harsh backbone of bitterness and burned toast. Not a lot of fruit character. Soapy/bathwatery hops in the mouth after swallowing.
O: I'm sure it's well made but I'm really not keen on it. There's no way I could finish a bottle to myself.
★ 338 characters
3.93/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
From the special Meantime bottle into a Brooklyn Brewery snifter.
A - The beer pours an amber/orange with a light, fluffy head that quickly dissipates and disappears. Brilliantly clear with a beautiful color.
S - Pine, toffee, caramel sweetness, a hint of honey maybe. Not a ton of depth to the hop character, but I think this is appropriate for an English IPA. Also not a lot of malts. Very restrained.
T - bitterness, floral hops, not piney like an American hop would be, but it does have a curious pine character to it. Less resiny and more like the pine needles.
M - The mouthfeel is sharp. Partially from the bitterness, and partially from what appears to be a high carbonation volume.
O - I think this is a good beer to the style, but it isn't really for me. I'll have to try their other beers available in my area.
★ 826 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
From the special Meantime bottle into a Brooklyn Brewery snifter.
A - The beer pours an amber/orange with a light, fluffy head that quickly dissipates and disappears. Brilliantly clear with a beautiful color.
S - Pine, toffee, caramel sweetness, a hint of honey maybe. Not a ton of depth to the hop character, but I think this is appropriate for an English IPA. Also not a lot of malts. Very restrained.
T - bitterness, floral hops, not piney like an American hop would be, but it does have a curious pine character to it. Less resiny and more like the pine needles.
M - The mouthfeel is sharp. Partially from the bitterness, and partially from what appears to be a high carbonation volume.
O - I think this is a good beer to the style, but it isn't really for me. I'll have to try their other beers available in my area.
★ 826 characters
4.17/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Meantime IPA 7.4% abv
Appears bright flowing tangerine with a chunky textured off white head, fine bands of even lacing grace my chalice. Aroma has bright orange citrus notes with mango tropical fruit based hops. Earthy yeast notes with pure liquid bread malt layers. Flavor is well meshed subdued hop bitterness with complex malt base orange fruit acidity from the alpha acids complement each other so well. Perfect hybrid aggressive hop flavors with complex malts still quite English in nature this is a must try IPA from across the pond. Mouthfeel is delicate resinous and naturally carbonated great stuff cheers for sure I appreciate the smaller bottles beautiful tear drop design, great stuff! Overall I've spoke my peace best English IPA I've come across now go find some.
★ 780 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Meantime IPA 7.4% abv
Appears bright flowing tangerine with a chunky textured off white head, fine bands of even lacing grace my chalice. Aroma has bright orange citrus notes with mango tropical fruit based hops. Earthy yeast notes with pure liquid bread malt layers. Flavor is well meshed subdued hop bitterness with complex malt base orange fruit acidity from the alpha acids complement each other so well. Perfect hybrid aggressive hop flavors with complex malts still quite English in nature this is a must try IPA from across the pond. Mouthfeel is delicate resinous and naturally carbonated great stuff cheers for sure I appreciate the smaller bottles beautiful tear drop design, great stuff! Overall I've spoke my peace best English IPA I've come across now go find some.
★ 780 characters
3.84/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A: Pours a murky, hazy amber with a creamy, pillowy off-white head. Head retention is good and lacing is moderate.
S: Aromas of black tea, leather, white pepper, caramel, biscuits, toffee, tobacco, orange marmalade, lemon, honey, herbs, and cream fill the nose.
T: Notes of black tea, leather, caramel, biscuits, toffee, crackers, white pepper, tobacco, oak, cedar, orange, lemon, lime, honey, grass, herbs, and heavy cream wash across the palate. The finish is intense and punchy with notes of herbs, caramel, toffee, tea, pepper, biscuits, honey, and mild citrus undercut by a sharp alcohol burn.
M: Medium-in-body and dryish, but notably stickier and heavier than most English IPAs. Carbonation is delicate. Alcohol presence is detectable from the start, but intensifies immediately after the entry, lasting through the finish. This is definitely a sipping beer best suited for warm evenings.
O: I have long admired Meantime's desire to both innovate and faithfully recreate the styles of the past, but that being said, their actual beers are normally hit or miss for me. This IPA is not bad, but it is somewhat harsh, overly brash, and aggressive. It is definitely not the most drinkable example of the style. It does, however, display a commendable complexity and is solidly crafted. I would recommend this ale to fans of stronger British ales, especially those who fancy themselves EIPA connoisseurs.
★ 1,410 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A: Pours a murky, hazy amber with a creamy, pillowy off-white head. Head retention is good and lacing is moderate.
S: Aromas of black tea, leather, white pepper, caramel, biscuits, toffee, tobacco, orange marmalade, lemon, honey, herbs, and cream fill the nose.
T: Notes of black tea, leather, caramel, biscuits, toffee, crackers, white pepper, tobacco, oak, cedar, orange, lemon, lime, honey, grass, herbs, and heavy cream wash across the palate. The finish is intense and punchy with notes of herbs, caramel, toffee, tea, pepper, biscuits, honey, and mild citrus undercut by a sharp alcohol burn.
M: Medium-in-body and dryish, but notably stickier and heavier than most English IPAs. Carbonation is delicate. Alcohol presence is detectable from the start, but intensifies immediately after the entry, lasting through the finish. This is definitely a sipping beer best suited for warm evenings.
O: I have long admired Meantime's desire to both innovate and faithfully recreate the styles of the past, but that being said, their actual beers are normally hit or miss for me. This IPA is not bad, but it is somewhat harsh, overly brash, and aggressive. It is definitely not the most drinkable example of the style. It does, however, display a commendable complexity and is solidly crafted. I would recommend this ale to fans of stronger British ales, especially those who fancy themselves EIPA connoisseurs.
★ 1,410 characters
3.86/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 4
Pours deep amber with a small head.
Sweet aroma of heavy malt with bold bready notes. Also resinous and earthy hops alongside some orange marmalade.
Extremely malty flavours too, a bit like malt extract. Some earthy and resinous hops and more orange marmalade. A bit too sweet.
Could use more carbonation.
★ 305 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 4
Pours deep amber with a small head.
Sweet aroma of heavy malt with bold bready notes. Also resinous and earthy hops alongside some orange marmalade.
Extremely malty flavours too, a bit like malt extract. Some earthy and resinous hops and more orange marmalade. A bit too sweet.
Could use more carbonation.
★ 305 characters
3.82/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
750ml bottle from Utobeer, Borough Market, London (£6.50):
Orange amber, a thumb sized, bubbly white head that holds pretty well. The beer is a clear too.
Hoppy to begin with some sweetness following this and a touch of caramel and sweet malts. There is some floral touches and a few background fruits along with some plum and citrus. Towards the end I could detect some lighter fruits, herbal notes and a hint of biscuit malts.
Fruit and light hops with some floral notes, lots of caramel and some sweet malts. There is some light earthy hops too and a touch of grapefruit plus some bitter pine.
Smooth, a medium body and a sweet, malty mouthfeel that goes down well. There is moderate carbonation and a nice, crisp and refreshing finish.
Quite hoppy but not overly bitter and with a solid caramel and sweet malt base that was very enjoyable.
★ 848 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
750ml bottle from Utobeer, Borough Market, London (£6.50):
Orange amber, a thumb sized, bubbly white head that holds pretty well. The beer is a clear too.
Hoppy to begin with some sweetness following this and a touch of caramel and sweet malts. There is some floral touches and a few background fruits along with some plum and citrus. Towards the end I could detect some lighter fruits, herbal notes and a hint of biscuit malts.
Fruit and light hops with some floral notes, lots of caramel and some sweet malts. There is some light earthy hops too and a touch of grapefruit plus some bitter pine.
Smooth, a medium body and a sweet, malty mouthfeel that goes down well. There is moderate carbonation and a nice, crisp and refreshing finish.
Quite hoppy but not overly bitter and with a solid caramel and sweet malt base that was very enjoyable.
★ 848 characters
3.51/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
750ml corked and caged bottle poured into tulip 9/5/13
A looks a little murky in a "burnt orange" (wife's description) body, seems that the color darkens towards the center of the glass, the slow gushing bottle only puts out a short lived finger of foam that leaves zero lace
S apple juice, lemon, biscuit, bleached white paper, and a heap of caramel apple and musty basement
T more lemon and musty basement, less caramel apple and more apple juice and its almost sour, thistle perhaps? has a green leafy aspect that almost reminds me of grass
M medium-full, low carbonation, no booze, but has a strange sour apple mixed with wet bread thing going on for the aftertaste
O even for an English style IPA I'm a little board, the apple popping up everywhere seems out of place and It's decent for what it is but I wouldn't go out of your way to drink it
I find it hard to rate styles I find boring and this ones a boring example of a boring stye. I'm board now for sure, time to go fire off bottle rockets towards the seniors home across the street.
★ 1,055 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
750ml corked and caged bottle poured into tulip 9/5/13
A looks a little murky in a "burnt orange" (wife's description) body, seems that the color darkens towards the center of the glass, the slow gushing bottle only puts out a short lived finger of foam that leaves zero lace
S apple juice, lemon, biscuit, bleached white paper, and a heap of caramel apple and musty basement
T more lemon and musty basement, less caramel apple and more apple juice and its almost sour, thistle perhaps? has a green leafy aspect that almost reminds me of grass
M medium-full, low carbonation, no booze, but has a strange sour apple mixed with wet bread thing going on for the aftertaste
O even for an English style IPA I'm a little board, the apple popping up everywhere seems out of place and It's decent for what it is but I wouldn't go out of your way to drink it
I find it hard to rate styles I find boring and this ones a boring example of a boring stye. I'm board now for sure, time to go fire off bottle rockets towards the seniors home across the street.
★ 1,055 characters
3.97/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from an eleagant looking 11.2 oz. "bowling pin" bottle into a standard pint glass.
Deep apricot in color, with a moderate-to -short head of bone-white foam.
Aroma-Sweet toasted malt, hop note, new leather basketball
Taste-Toasted malt,toffee, caramel, mineral note; all just barely balanced by a good dose of noble hops and white-grapefruit -rind bitterness. A classic English IPA, that begs for a spicy food pairing. Indian, Thai, or maybe just a hunk of aged white cheddar.
★ 482 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from an eleagant looking 11.2 oz. "bowling pin" bottle into a standard pint glass.
Deep apricot in color, with a moderate-to -short head of bone-white foam.
Aroma-Sweet toasted malt, hop note, new leather basketball
Taste-Toasted malt,toffee, caramel, mineral note; all just barely balanced by a good dose of noble hops and white-grapefruit -rind bitterness. A classic English IPA, that begs for a spicy food pairing. Indian, Thai, or maybe just a hunk of aged white cheddar.
★ 482 characters
India Pale Ale from Meantime Brewing Company Limited
3.92
out of 5
based on 586 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very balanced beer, not too bitter, just enough. Earthy, herbal hops along coconut good sweet malt balance. A good English IPA, nothing fancy just an old style IPA
★ 163 characters