Indisputable
Mainstay Independent

Mainstay Independent Brewing "Indisputable IPA"
16 fl. oz. can, "CANNED 120325 #431 13:07". Sampled on 031726

Notes via stream of consciousness: West Coast IPA? Let's take a look. It's poured a clear amber colored body beneath a thumb's width of dense white foam. It's got an interesting apple and a caramel aroma to it that I wasn't expecting. There's more to it though, it's also floral, citrusy, and piney. The taste is fuller, as is almost always the case, with Michelob ULTRA as a notable exception. The malt is lightly sweetish, bready and caramelish, and it's piney, fruity (grapefruit, tangerine, soft lemon), and a little bit earthy and spicy. This is a retro West Coast IPA, harking back to the early days when the 3 C's hops were popular. There's definitely Cascade in it, and I'm guessing Centennial but there could be Columbus or even Chinook as well. Being an old guy I appreciate that, and I also appreciate that they didn't jump the shark with it either - like so many newer West Coast IPAs did. It's got bitterness to it - who would've thought? It finishes dry with pine and some earthiness and a dusting of spiciness thrown in. It's nicely balanced and rounded. In the mouth it's medium bodied and crisp. For a guy like me this is a solid go-to or fall-back-upon beer. At the brewery I'd probably want to try something a little different first, but then I could settle on this, and I guess that would be the same coming out of my fridge at home except for those times when you just want a bitter beer and go right for it. Nicely done.
Review #9,475

 

 

Empty the entire contents of a pint can into a clear glass liter mug and this is what one gets. The liquid is bright and almost clear, yet dark amber. A just-off-white modest head seems to be sustaining. Its aroma is mildly piney, in the hoppy way. To taste, it has all the proper components of a West Coast IPA. There's enough malt, in this case likely barley for all the right reasons, to provide a solid backbone. It complements the piney hops that dominate the taste. Still, the barley malt adds a counterbalance of earthy sweetness that makes this a delightful WCIPA. In some ways, this is likely closer to the traditional IPAs than anything in the hazy style. If there's any wheat, oats or some other grain you've never heard of before in this wort, it's at a minimum. This just looks like and tastes like a good standard IPA. With enough barley malt in the mix, the mouthfeel is smooth and supple. As for the less important characteristics, the head lasted reasonably and there wasn't much glass lacing. This is a way above average IPA, indisputably.