Streitberg Strong IPA
Oettinger Brauerei GmbH

Sold at Aldi South / Germany, brewed at Oettinger brewery, Mönchengladbach. Cheap, but okay. Taste reminds me of a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Pours a cloudy, golden amber coloration with a large, foamy head. Smells of doughy, biscuity malt and citrus hops, with notes of graoefruit and lime peel, as well as just a hint of pine. Taste follows the nose, with a good balance of doughy, biscuity, slightly caramelly malt and bitter, slightly floral, fruity and resinous hops, with citrus notes of grapefruit and lime peel, as well as just a hint of pine. Finishes with a medium/strong bitterness and some lime peel and pine lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a light/medium body and medium carbonation.

I think that labeling this as a "Strong IPA" is kind of unfortunate when the ABV is closer to a Pale Ale than an IPA, much less a "strong" one. However, when you start looking at it as a Pale Ale, it's actually not that bad and although it's a little light in body/mouthfeel and the hops aren't feeling quite as well-defined and expressive as they could be, being just a tad too floral/soapy, there are still some nice citrus and pine notes to this, while it finishes with a great bitterness. While this may not be great compared to proper craft, I actually thought it was all right for a discounter beer, probably the best discounter (I)PA that I've had so far actually, with a certain West Coast vibe and good balance of malt and hops to it.