Lizzy’s Famous "81 Whacks" Red IPA | Buzzards Bay Brewing

3.86/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A fine new offering from the reborn Buzzards Bay Brewing. I've had it poured into a tulip from a bomber and on tap at the brewery. This review is written while drinking from the tulip.

A - A solid red hue, but a bit cloudier than is ideal.

S - Very little aroma, even in the tulip.

T - Crisp. Starts clean, then a medium bitterness spreads across the tongue, finishing with a lingering back-of the throat and palate bitterness. Very nice.

M - Clean, slightly slick. Nice balance to the crisp taste.

O - A fairly straightforward, solid brew from Buzzards Bay. Goes down smooth with a lasting post-sip tang.

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4.5/5  rDev +8.2%

5/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

What can I say the tap handle is a giant hatchet!!! That being said this is currently one of my favorite beers. Beautiful combination of malts give it a dark red amber hue that gives a smooth mouthfeel, and is perfectly ballanced by the hops. A perfect ode to one of America's greatest murder mysteries, and at 6.7 ABV woohoo!

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4.75/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This beer has all best for a red IPA. Good, no, Great drinking beer

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4.93/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

just tried this beer at tasting at the brewery, fresh off the tap, and it is by far my favorite of all the buzzards bay beers ive had. (and i love them all!) at first it seemed a little dark for a red ipa but the mouthfeel and taste are perfect, hoppy but very smooth. delicious!

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4/5  rDev -3.8%

3.5/5  rDev -15.9%

4.25/5  rDev +2.2%

4.21/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

The beer pours a fairly vigorous tan head that is a bit frothy and creamy. The beer itself is an opaque ruby red with dark brown and black notes. The beer has a very smoky smell resembling burnt wood. There also appear to be hop notes but the notes are very faint. The taste is very similar to the smell but with more underlying hop notes. There are also some sweet malt notes to balance out the smoky, burnt wood taste and hops. There also appear to be some rye notes. The mouthfeel is a little on the heavy side but is still medium-bodied with biting carbaonation. The beer has a fairly smooth texture to it and feels very good. Overall, a very good beer and worth getting if you can find it.

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3.5/5  rDev -15.9%

4.39/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a mug glass.

A: The beer is a deep reddish brown color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains piney hops, caramelized malts and some citrus.

T: The taste starts out with a hearty malt character that is quickly followed by a strong Earthy hops bitterness. There’s some caramel and citrus sweetness that comes in to created a good balance and keep this beer being not quite as harsh as other Red IPA’s. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Very tasty, goes down quite easily, not too filling, good kick, very good representation of style, this is a nice solid Red IPA to drink for a whole evening.

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4.5/5  rDev +8.2%

4/5  rDev -3.8%

4.94/5  rDev +18.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I think I'm slowly being converted.
Evidently I show a penchant for dark beer and I'm told that's because I like malt and not hops.
So what gives with this IPA thing? It's all about the hop right?
I remember having some that were really bitter but that's not the case with this one. I had this on tap (mainly because it was a night, it looked dark and I had had had to have it!). I was surprised! It wasn't so bitter and I could taste and smell lovely caramel and toast. And the hops were like nice perfume, certainly there but not overdone. Fruity like real fruit, citrus and maybe pine? Back aroma of summer flowers.
Really good. Now what's with the hatchet?

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3/5  rDev -27.9%

3.75/5  rDev -9.9%

4.25/5  rDev +2.2%

4.36/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a tulip glass

-Great looking beer! Red/orange hues with decent lacing and plenty of tiny little bubbles on the rise.

-I get fresh grains, pungent hops and milk choc(?) for a scent believe it or not.

-Taste is full and quite hoppy. Drier finish...then the malt kicks in. Better as it warms (imo).

-Mouthfeel wasn't astonishing, but does keep you wanting another swig.

So glad to see that The Buzzard is back in action! If you get a chance, check out their offerings. You won't be disappointed.

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