Mike's IPA
Specklebelly's Brew Pub

 

This was a beer that I only really wanted was for the can, which are only available at Specklebelly's Brewpub. A collector down east had heard about this one and through a generous trade (Thanks Jason! for the beer and the warning) I was able to get a 6 pack. Having looked at the previous review, I knew what I was getting into.
355 ml blue and silver can of "Mikes Ale, India Pale Ale Premium Beer - A noble brew worthy of our passion & labour".

I 've got the cans, now I need to drink the contents. Appearance was thin, clear and light yellow with an inch high white head that quickly shrinks away. Some sharp bitter smell, but not the hoppiness you expect from an IPA. Flavor is thin and grainy, but again, not really any pine or citus, finished with some sourness. Thin and watery mouthfeel, with a slightly metallic aftertaste.
As Noxious26 noted, it's unlike any other IPA I've ever had and not very good. It is passable compared to any other 'buck-a-beer' but that's about it.

475ml brown bottle with a swing top cap. Bottle looks really cool with just a neck label and the swing top.

Appearance isn't really what I've come to expect from an IPA. Clear and very pale straw yellow. It's almost like tinted water it's so pale. Bright white head is 1/4 inch on the pour, but reduces to a thin cap.

Aroma is as weak as the colour is pale. This isn't looking good so far. A little bit of grains and a faint whiff of hops.

Flavour starts off with a big hop bang. Piney with a little citrus and grass. After the carbonation rush, the bitterness subdues and leads into a mildly bitter finish of pine hops with the sudden appearance of grains. Aftertaste is piney bitter with a hint of grains.

Light bodied and thin with a sharp, harsh mouthfeel. Excessively and overly carbonated.

I know this is their attempt at an IPA, but it's unlike any other IPA I've ever had. The closest thing would be Keith's or Rickard's. Keith's and Rickard's are tamer and more macro like than this. This is almost like a Bitters gone wrong. Whatever the style, it's unbalanced, has no malt identity at all, a sharp, harsh mouthfeel and looks pale even compared to a macro light lager. Not good.