Stiegl Max Glaner's IPA
Stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg GmbH

 

I'm not a fan of Stiegl - they tend to oversweeten their mailts and this is what I feel happening here too. Hops can be felt but I can't honestly tell what kind as they are not punchy. They are present but not really distinctive. Then you have the taste that strangely feels something like a lager and an IPA halfway and not really in a good way. You start out as if it was an IPA but very soon you have this twisted sour bitterness, just like in a lager that has been left over, got warm and lost all its carbonation by the end of the bottle - this is what it reminds me of. Although you feel a hoppy aroma and the typical characteristics, but I feel sonehow that this beer is aimed at those who are not really familiar with IPAs and would drink this because "Stiegel is THE beer in Austria". Well, this might be good enough and might be an IPA for the Austrians but not for me. I prefer the real thing and I prefer it good, and not mediocre or half-assed. Sorry Stiegl.

This is an odd one. Pours a pretty nice, slightly hazy amber. Aroma of hay, herbs and strong, ripe pears. Not too tropical, something that really fits an Austrian IPA. I’d enjoy more of that. But the taste just offers a small reminder of the beers fruity sweetness and gets too bitter too fast. It lacks in body and overpowers with strong, fizzy carbonation. What started out as a nice take on an IPA leaves a shallow bitterness behind.

 

 

I was in the Austrian Alps just a couple weeks ago and decided to try what they called an IPA something or other in German on the menu at the Hotel I was staying at. I had never even tried an Austrian beer before, so this was all new. Regardless, it was great. In fact I would compare it to some of the best IPA's in the states. the first thing that came to mind when I had a sip was Pliny the Elder! I haven't had that one in a while but I would say it stacks up to it or many other great IPA's. I liked it so much I was looking it after I came back, but it seems that Stiegl Beers are not too popular on this side of the pond except for there Grapefruit Radler. If anyone knows where to get Stiegl's other beers please send me a note! Loved this beer with it's fruity bitter taste that was perfectly balanced, and had a great aroma.

 

 

B- / WORTHY