BoltCutter IPA
The Blue Ridge Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

Served from tap at the brewpub into a Blue Ridge/Foothills shaker with the company of PDXHops. Poured a yellow-orange with a minimal off-white head. Maintained decent lacing throughout. The aroma was comprised of malt, citrus, hops, and pine. The flavor was of light hop, malt, and a subtle hint of cream on the followthrough. It had a light feel on the palate with mild carbonation. Overall it was a decent IPA, but that is about it. Nothing really going on to blow me away or make it memoriable. There were some nice flavors to it, but it seemed that they all just bashed together rather than working in unison to make the beer better. Worth trying at least once.

On tap at the brewpub in a shaker pint. Typical of Blue Ridge, this is a nice-looking brew, deep amber with a frothy off-white head and some sticky rings of lacing.

I'd be more inclined to call this an American Amber Ale than an IPA. The nose and flavors are dominated by malt, at times bready, at times sweet, now and then toasty, but always at the forefront. Some earthy and mild citrus hoppiness are swimming around in there, but it's not showcased like it should be. Rather thickish body.

Overall impression: This beer could really stand to have the maltiness toned down and some more hops thrown in the kettle. It's tasty and drinks just fine, but as an IPA, I can't recommend it.

Stopped in Blue Ridge to make sure I could have a taste of the new IPA. Wish I had gone a day later as they are half priced on Wednesday, Doh! Served in a pint glass and consumed on 07/20/2010.

Really dark amber color here with some light highlights around the edges of nice orange tones. A compact and clean white head emerges from the top of the glass and leaves a good big of lacing streaking down the sides of the glass for the rest of the session. Really a nice solid look going into it. Up next we get a light whiff of some earthy hops, nothing really staring out at me from here, but solid still. Light caramel malts, touches of a biscuit like note are coming up through it now as well. First sip reveals a body that was fuller then what I was expecting which was a nice surprise I have to admit. Light pine notes, hints of orange and tangerine are melted around a nice and clean palate that leaves you dry and looking for another sip.

Overall I liked this one, I will admit I liked the ball and chain better, but this is still a very, very solid effort.

Growler shared by beerloco thanks!

Appearance: Pours on the brown side of copper with red and honey folds. The crown is 1 finger, white, shows moderate retention and lace.

Smell: Some citrus hops (grapefruit, orange) over a malt that borders btw bready and toffee like. Not very pungent or hypnotic but decent none the less.

Taste: Same as smell.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: This one goes down easy but I didn't find myself begging for more.

Not a bad introduction to Blue Ridge, although I believe this beer is one of the first American IPA's they offer from the new brewer so its probably more a sign of good things to come than it is an example of Blue Ridges brewing history.

Had a couple out on the sidewalk at the Blue Ridge in downtown Greenville SC. Love the name. BoltCutter, that is, not Blue Ridge. Reddish brown in a pint glass. They don't serve pitchers. I was not overwhelmed with a hoppy, citrusy smell, unfortunately. Nice oily mouthfeel and good, bitter taste, but it doesn't go anywhere after that. Pass the grapefruit! Also, I could go inside and see the soccer score, so that's a side benefit. Overall, worth the visit.