Scratch Beer 143 - 2014 (IPA)
Tröegs Brewing Company

 

 

Amber colored with the lightest of hazes. Modest head but it sticks around. Some streaks for lace.

Fine aroma of grapefruit rind and watermelon.

The bitterness is quick to the tongue but not overwhelming. The swallow and aftertaste is peppery, almost "hot". Moderate body with a mildly elevated level of carbonation. Long lingering bitterness after the swallow. No real malt taste throughout.

 

Bright orange, nice glow, thin white head and nice lacing. Sweet malts, light citrus, big tropical fruit and some resinous pine round the aromas. Taste follows, sweetness upfront with light citrus notes and big tropical flavors. Light floral and piney swan song. Creamy feel, medium body and finishes just dry enough to make it very drinkable. Great IPA.

 

Served on tap in a pint glass

The beer is served a slightly hazed orange amber color with a one finger head of white foam. The head has a decent level of retention fading over time to leave some patchy foam on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The aroma of the beer is heaviest of pine hop smells mixed with notes of a caramel sweetness and a little bit of a bready base. Other hop smells of a light herbal and citrus nature are there as well, creating a more mild but pleasant smell none the less.

Taste – The taste begins with the caramel sweetness that was detected in the nose along with a more biscuit like flavor. Hops of an herbal and light citrus are present right from the start with the herbal fading some as the taste moves on, but being replaced by a grassy and pine hop taste. While a light fruit flavor of tangerine develops toward the middle, it as well as the caramel fade some from the taste toward the end, with all the transitions leaving a somewhat drier and more “green” hop flavor to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is average to slightly lighter and thinner for an IPA of its strength with a carbonation level that is average as well. Both are quite appropriate for the style, but are nothing to extra-ordinary.

Overall – A decent IPA, but nothing to really go out of you way for. A good one to try, but not one to jump through a hoop to get.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Served on-tap at the brewery.

A - Pours slightly hazy golden amber with a thick two finger tall white head, quickly dissipating down to a light film, leaving sticky webs of lace on the sides of the glass.

S - Smells of mildly toasted caramel malt, toffee, fresh grass, bit of pine resin, herbal hops and only a faintest whiff of tropical fruit skin. A little slow to develop but pretty nice once it does.

T - Starts off with a mix of oily herbal hops and caramel sweetness from the malt. Hints of pine, toffee, grass and a bit more fruit than the nose help to round things out. Finish is sweet with plenty of dryness, lingering long after the finish.

M - Medium body with moderate carbonation. Smooth feel with plenty of vegetal and sweet malt clinging to the palate.

O - A decent enough IPA. It packs all of the desired flavors and is pretty well balanced. I think I prefer #144 to this one but I wouldn't turn down another.