Great Falls IPA
Fort Nonsense Brewing Co.

 

Recently visited Fort Nonsense Brewery in Denville, NJ. They had a good selection of beers on tap (I tried 3 IPAs) but only had Great Falls in a 4-pack to take home. So I did!

Great Falls pours with a semi-clear amber color. An eggshell head lingered for a few sips but did fall off relatively quickly.

A very mild smell that has hints of spice. But not the fruity mix I want from my IPAs.

I will admit, the taste was a pleasant surprise. The pour and smell had me anticipating a more mild taste when I took my first sip but Great Falls proved that wrong. It is slightly sweet with good citrus followed by that spice you get in the smell.

This is a smooth drinking IPA. Slight bite when you sip and a light aftertaste. I personally prefer a more bitter beer.

Overall Great Falls IPA is a good beer. It isn't great. But it is good. And I gladly finished my 4-pack during the course of an evening watching football.

 

 

 

I had this on draught at the brewery. Pint pour. It pours a hazy honey color with virtually no head or lacing. I have to wonder whether there is a problem with the tap system. I was surprised that there was almost no smell. The taste opens with a dose of fairly sweet malt and light lemon and grapefruit, following by a blend of Cascade and Amarillo hops that are bitter without biting. It finishes with notes of pepper and spice. This ale is dry and crisp, medium-bodied with lively carbonation, and the 6% ABV easily permits a second pint. I have no doubt that Fort Nonsense will improve this IPA. I'll try it again in a few weeks and, if appropriate, will update my rating. Update: Fort Nonsense began canning this IPA late in 2018. I had a can of it in April 2019 and found it significantly improved. It has much less malt and more hoppy bitterness. It can appropriately be characterized as a West Coast IPA.