Hale's Mongoose IPA | Hale's Ales Brewery & Pub
Brewed by:
Hale's Ales Brewery & Pub
Washington, United States | website
Style: American IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by BeerAdvocate on 12-13-2002
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 128 | Ratings: 224
4.47/5 rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I really enjoyed this one. On tap at 'bones. Hazy cloudy amber, 1/2 creamy head. I was more taken by the freshness in the aroma, and the grassy and flowery notes I was picking up. Mouthfeel was good, prickly carbonation was enjoyable. It helped push the sensation of full grassy hops on the tongue. I thought there were those delightful candylike hop notes in the finish as well. Like I said: I think I got this beer in good condition, and was rewarded with fresh hoppy goodness.
★ 479 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I really enjoyed this one. On tap at 'bones. Hazy cloudy amber, 1/2 creamy head. I was more taken by the freshness in the aroma, and the grassy and flowery notes I was picking up. Mouthfeel was good, prickly carbonation was enjoyable. It helped push the sensation of full grassy hops on the tongue. I thought there were those delightful candylike hop notes in the finish as well. Like I said: I think I got this beer in good condition, and was rewarded with fresh hoppy goodness.
★ 479 characters
3.93/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Mmm, cask IPA at the Horse Brass. Life can't get better than this.
Fat 2" head of amber goodness, served at proper cask temperature. Amazing lace, sort of to be expected with this delivery method.
Delicate cascades on the nose. Smooth almost nitro mouthfeel.
Hoppy smoothness fades into British ale consistencies and a delightfully rounded bitterness.
Drank this one most all night.
★ 394 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Mmm, cask IPA at the Horse Brass. Life can't get better than this.
Fat 2" head of amber goodness, served at proper cask temperature. Amazing lace, sort of to be expected with this delivery method.
Delicate cascades on the nose. Smooth almost nitro mouthfeel.
Hoppy smoothness fades into British ale consistencies and a delightfully rounded bitterness.
Drank this one most all night.
★ 394 characters
3.55/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
On tap at Red Bones. It was poured into a shaker pint a light slightly hazy copper. It had a creamy head and a great sheet of lace down the side of the glass. Bright flower nose with a little grapefruit accent. Taste adds pine hints to the fruit character found in the nose. Mild oily mouth feel. This is a decent IPA. Not a great one. But worth a try.
★ 352 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
On tap at Red Bones. It was poured into a shaker pint a light slightly hazy copper. It had a creamy head and a great sheet of lace down the side of the glass. Bright flower nose with a little grapefruit accent. Taste adds pine hints to the fruit character found in the nose. Mild oily mouth feel. This is a decent IPA. Not a great one. But worth a try.
★ 352 characters
3.83/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
22 oz bottle with the mongoose on the label. Pours a mostly clear, chillhazed, amber orange body with a small, offwhite head that is creamy in appearance and leaves lots of sticky, patch lace.
Aroma is pine resin and grapefruit rind. Sharp hop notes burn the nose.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, nicely carbonated, and has a medium hops bite.
Taste reveals a solid American pale ale. Grapefruit and a hint of pine resin serve up a dominant hops presence, while a caramel malt sweetness peeks up from the background. The caramel malt character is more apparent at room temperature, but the finish has a definitive, citrus rind bitterness.
This is a fine American IPA, and very representative of the style.
★ 707 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
22 oz bottle with the mongoose on the label. Pours a mostly clear, chillhazed, amber orange body with a small, offwhite head that is creamy in appearance and leaves lots of sticky, patch lace.
Aroma is pine resin and grapefruit rind. Sharp hop notes burn the nose.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, nicely carbonated, and has a medium hops bite.
Taste reveals a solid American pale ale. Grapefruit and a hint of pine resin serve up a dominant hops presence, while a caramel malt sweetness peeks up from the background. The caramel malt character is more apparent at room temperature, but the finish has a definitive, citrus rind bitterness.
This is a fine American IPA, and very representative of the style.
★ 707 characters
3.85/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz Bottle purchased at Huckleberry's in Spokane for $1.29.
Poured an orange-amber color with a very modest off-white head. Slight amount of lace.
Smells like an IPA (unlike that crummy McEwans IPA I had earlier today) The characteristics are of citrusy and floral hops. Yum!
Taste is more complex than the smell. For one thing, there's a much more noticeable malt background to this beer. That's how the taste starts off, with a nice, mild-mannered sweet maltiness that then gets rudely shoved aside by citrusy, bitter hops.The finish has a dry, grapefruit-like quality to it. I find it rather tasty.
This is a medium bodied beer, and has a little creaminess to it.
This is quite drinkable. While it's certainly not the biggest or hoppiest IPA I've ever had, it's still quite nice, and I'd be happy to quaff several if they were on hand.
★ 856 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz Bottle purchased at Huckleberry's in Spokane for $1.29.
Poured an orange-amber color with a very modest off-white head. Slight amount of lace.
Smells like an IPA (unlike that crummy McEwans IPA I had earlier today) The characteristics are of citrusy and floral hops. Yum!
Taste is more complex than the smell. For one thing, there's a much more noticeable malt background to this beer. That's how the taste starts off, with a nice, mild-mannered sweet maltiness that then gets rudely shoved aside by citrusy, bitter hops.The finish has a dry, grapefruit-like quality to it. I find it rather tasty.
This is a medium bodied beer, and has a little creaminess to it.
This is quite drinkable. While it's certainly not the biggest or hoppiest IPA I've ever had, it's still quite nice, and I'd be happy to quaff several if they were on hand.
★ 856 characters
4.11/5 rDev +13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This came in a 22oz bottle with an appropriate mongoose on the label. Appearance is of a fairly clear amber body with about a half-inch of white head resting on top of it. The head floats around for a while leaving rings in its wake. Aroma is of earth and floral hops with a bit of caramel sweetness in the mix. Overall the aroma is a bit weak and under whelming. On the other hand the taste is fairly kicking, a slight sweetness meets you up front before a big dose of hops plows through. Citric and piney flavors and bitterness dominate from then on. A lingering bitter grapefruit after taste finishes off this tasty brew. Body was about medium with a smooth creamy feel to it. Drinkability was pretty good as well, I would definitely pick this one up again. So far this is my favorite beer I have had from Hales.
★ 817 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This came in a 22oz bottle with an appropriate mongoose on the label. Appearance is of a fairly clear amber body with about a half-inch of white head resting on top of it. The head floats around for a while leaving rings in its wake. Aroma is of earth and floral hops with a bit of caramel sweetness in the mix. Overall the aroma is a bit weak and under whelming. On the other hand the taste is fairly kicking, a slight sweetness meets you up front before a big dose of hops plows through. Citric and piney flavors and bitterness dominate from then on. A lingering bitter grapefruit after taste finishes off this tasty brew. Body was about medium with a smooth creamy feel to it. Drinkability was pretty good as well, I would definitely pick this one up again. So far this is my favorite beer I have had from Hales.
★ 817 characters
4.38/5 rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This is not the IPA for everyone, but I think it's one of the best-balanced examples made. The west coast, and particularly the Northwest, is known for its hop-monsters, and this 60 IBU is a little on the lower end of things, but its malt structure is very distinct and pleasing. Thank goodness it's delicious on tap and out of the bottle too!
★ 343 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This is not the IPA for everyone, but I think it's one of the best-balanced examples made. The west coast, and particularly the Northwest, is known for its hop-monsters, and this 60 IBU is a little on the lower end of things, but its malt structure is very distinct and pleasing. Thank goodness it's delicious on tap and out of the bottle too!
★ 343 characters
3.18/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a hazy gold with massive amounts of carbonation and a mammoth creamy head that stuck to the glass throughout. Muted aroma of toasty malts & citrus hops. Highly carbonated in the mouth with some underlying caramel flavors. Moderately bitter with grapefruit citrus & some additional earthy hops. Pretty understated for a PacNW IPA & pretty accessible and easy drinking as a result. Not one I'd search out, but certainly not bad.
★ 432 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a hazy gold with massive amounts of carbonation and a mammoth creamy head that stuck to the glass throughout. Muted aroma of toasty malts & citrus hops. Highly carbonated in the mouth with some underlying caramel flavors. Moderately bitter with grapefruit citrus & some additional earthy hops. Pretty understated for a PacNW IPA & pretty accessible and easy drinking as a result. Not one I'd search out, but certainly not bad.
★ 432 characters
3.85/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Cloudy and orange body with a very thick and white head. Body swirls and boils a bit after the beer is poured.
The aroma is sharp and slightly reminiscent of cheddar, like a quiet English ale. The taste is not so quiet! Sharp and thin, and not quite as chewy as I would like. But, it's a very pleasant IPA, almost session-level.
★ 331 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Cloudy and orange body with a very thick and white head. Body swirls and boils a bit after the beer is poured.
The aroma is sharp and slightly reminiscent of cheddar, like a quiet English ale. The taste is not so quiet! Sharp and thin, and not quite as chewy as I would like. But, it's a very pleasant IPA, almost session-level.
★ 331 characters
3.95/5 rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Golden with a nice beige head, good carbonation, trace amounts of leafy sediment floaters, and decent lace. Nice prominent citrusy hop aroma though it turns a bit perfumey over time. Decent flavored IPA with nice resiny hoppy tones but a bit funky ... if this is the Ringwood yeast others have referred to then I consistently know it's not one of my favorite strains. Medium bodied and smooth with a dry bitter finish.
Label States: "Dry hopped India Pale Ale"
Per Hale's website:
Ingredients: Pale malted barley, Crystal malts. Centennial and Nugget hops. Amarillo leaf hops (dry-hopping).
Original Gravity 10.60
($1.61 / 12 oz.)
★ 645 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Golden with a nice beige head, good carbonation, trace amounts of leafy sediment floaters, and decent lace. Nice prominent citrusy hop aroma though it turns a bit perfumey over time. Decent flavored IPA with nice resiny hoppy tones but a bit funky ... if this is the Ringwood yeast others have referred to then I consistently know it's not one of my favorite strains. Medium bodied and smooth with a dry bitter finish.
Label States: "Dry hopped India Pale Ale"
Per Hale's website:
Ingredients: Pale malted barley, Crystal malts. Centennial and Nugget hops. Amarillo leaf hops (dry-hopping).
Original Gravity 10.60
($1.61 / 12 oz.)
★ 645 characters
3.8/5 rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz. bomber with a...well...Mongoose on the label (Captain Obvious strikes again).
Poured a wonderful cloudy honey color. Massively thick and sticky head lasts forever and paints a vivid tapestry of lace on my glass. Aromas can be noted a few feet away from the glass...giant quantities of flowery and citrusy hops leap forth and fill the room like a Yankee candle. Flavor falls short, unfortunately. I expected a hop-laden bomb of flavor but only got an iced tea-grainy, almost gritty flavor. Not bad, but certainly a let down from the look and smell. Finishes fairly sweet and dry. Bitterness pokes through right before the final flavors fade out. Mouthfeel is medium, almost on the thin side. I wouldn't say watery, but it's close. Drinkabilty suffers as I expected more out of this beer after the big start.
Thanks to RoyalT for this west-coaster!
★ 859 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
22oz. bomber with a...well...Mongoose on the label (Captain Obvious strikes again).
Poured a wonderful cloudy honey color. Massively thick and sticky head lasts forever and paints a vivid tapestry of lace on my glass. Aromas can be noted a few feet away from the glass...giant quantities of flowery and citrusy hops leap forth and fill the room like a Yankee candle. Flavor falls short, unfortunately. I expected a hop-laden bomb of flavor but only got an iced tea-grainy, almost gritty flavor. Not bad, but certainly a let down from the look and smell. Finishes fairly sweet and dry. Bitterness pokes through right before the final flavors fade out. Mouthfeel is medium, almost on the thin side. I wouldn't say watery, but it's close. Drinkabilty suffers as I expected more out of this beer after the big start.
Thanks to RoyalT for this west-coaster!
★ 859 characters
3.23/5 rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
One evening while imbibing at Hale's, the entire bar and restaurant grew saturated with the smell of whatever was brewing out in the lobby. The aroma was enticing and from my seat I watched as the brewer dumped a sanitized garbage can full of whole hop cones into the 30-bbl hop back. I later asked what they were brewing and was informed it was Mongoose IPA. And what kind of hops were they using? "Amarillo. Lots of 'em."
Centennial and Nugget hops also enter the bill. Even so, Mongoose is not the hoppiest ale in town. Far from it. A punchy aroma of hop resins plays modestly among a honey-like fragrance, then grows flowery in the flavor. Bittering is targeted but none too potent. In fact, if Hale's website is accurate (a big if) they use 50 pounds of hops per 30 barrel batch of Mongoose. That's less than a pound per keg. So while the effect was heavenly on brew day at the bar, the drinking ale stirs little enthusiasm in the hop department.
If anything, Mongoose is a balanced pale ale and isn't as wild as, well, as a mongoose. The hazed golden body shows sluggish carbonation but impressive lace that exceeds the beer's other attributes. Awash in pervasive sweetness, Mongoose is a simple, worthy IPA but not an inspiring standout.
★ 1,249 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
One evening while imbibing at Hale's, the entire bar and restaurant grew saturated with the smell of whatever was brewing out in the lobby. The aroma was enticing and from my seat I watched as the brewer dumped a sanitized garbage can full of whole hop cones into the 30-bbl hop back. I later asked what they were brewing and was informed it was Mongoose IPA. And what kind of hops were they using? "Amarillo. Lots of 'em."
Centennial and Nugget hops also enter the bill. Even so, Mongoose is not the hoppiest ale in town. Far from it. A punchy aroma of hop resins plays modestly among a honey-like fragrance, then grows flowery in the flavor. Bittering is targeted but none too potent. In fact, if Hale's website is accurate (a big if) they use 50 pounds of hops per 30 barrel batch of Mongoose. That's less than a pound per keg. So while the effect was heavenly on brew day at the bar, the drinking ale stirs little enthusiasm in the hop department.
If anything, Mongoose is a balanced pale ale and isn't as wild as, well, as a mongoose. The hazed golden body shows sluggish carbonation but impressive lace that exceeds the beer's other attributes. Awash in pervasive sweetness, Mongoose is a simple, worthy IPA but not an inspiring standout.
★ 1,249 characters
4/5 rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Another great beer at Redbones from their NW beers. I was looking forward to this one as I love NW IPA's. Clear amber in color with a half inch white head that left a nice lace. The smell is citrus and hoppy. Taste was exactly what I expected. Some great NW hops that give a different flavor to IPA's than I am used to. The ending of the hops has a bit more bite. They don't seem to be as "drinkable" or "smooth" than east coast IPA's. I love both, just very different.
★ 469 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Another great beer at Redbones from their NW beers. I was looking forward to this one as I love NW IPA's. Clear amber in color with a half inch white head that left a nice lace. The smell is citrus and hoppy. Taste was exactly what I expected. Some great NW hops that give a different flavor to IPA's than I am used to. The ending of the hops has a bit more bite. They don't seem to be as "drinkable" or "smooth" than east coast IPA's. I love both, just very different.
★ 469 characters
4.12/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked this up on a whim, seeing as it was bottle conditioned, dry hopped, and around 8 bucks a sixer I figured it would be pretty good.
Pours out a perfect clear golden color with a cascading head during the pour. A 1 inch white head sits atop my brew. Good mix of floral and citrous hop aromas here, almost sweet in character. Heavy apricot aroma along with an alcohol nip. This starts out very fruity, with a peaches dominating the taste up front. Then the bitterness of the hops takes over, crushing the fruity front end and revealing a bitter grainy malt finish. This beer seems to have two distinct stages. Good mouthfeel, especially with the dry finish. Quite drinkable, although I suspect this may be in the 7-8% ABV range judging from the warmth in my belly. Excellent IPA, with enough unique qualities to set itself apart.
★ 835 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Picked this up on a whim, seeing as it was bottle conditioned, dry hopped, and around 8 bucks a sixer I figured it would be pretty good.
Pours out a perfect clear golden color with a cascading head during the pour. A 1 inch white head sits atop my brew. Good mix of floral and citrous hop aromas here, almost sweet in character. Heavy apricot aroma along with an alcohol nip. This starts out very fruity, with a peaches dominating the taste up front. Then the bitterness of the hops takes over, crushing the fruity front end and revealing a bitter grainy malt finish. This beer seems to have two distinct stages. Good mouthfeel, especially with the dry finish. Quite drinkable, although I suspect this may be in the 7-8% ABV range judging from the warmth in my belly. Excellent IPA, with enough unique qualities to set itself apart.
★ 835 characters
3.97/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance Clear, light orange in the body; almost florescent. The foamy white head came up nicely.
Smell Classic NW IPA nose. Theres a terrific, complex mix of hops to this one. The pine resin is my favorite. The malt backbone shows up as well, making this a well-rounded aroma.
Taste This one really comes through at the taste. The hops are there in force, showing their complexity. The malt has a touch of caramel to it. This is a well-balanced NW IPA.
Mouthfeel This one is very dry and bitter and feels terrific in between the cheeks. It is smooth, refreshing, and just big enough to make you stand up and take notice. Its on the light side of medium but hearty nevertheless.
Drinkability This is my idea of an IPA. Nothing too heavy, but big enough to make you come back for more.
Comments I have been largely disappointed with the Hales offerings having now tasted and reviewed eight of them (this is number nine). Other than the Rudyards Rare I thought they were all either average or worse. I thought this one was a tad too thin, but other than that I was very impressed.
Update I first rated this in 2003 so thought it would be fun to re-review it with a 2004 vintage. I wasnt as excited about it the second time around. I liked the smoothness of the offering but thought it lacked character and identity.
★ 1,367 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance Clear, light orange in the body; almost florescent. The foamy white head came up nicely.
Smell Classic NW IPA nose. Theres a terrific, complex mix of hops to this one. The pine resin is my favorite. The malt backbone shows up as well, making this a well-rounded aroma.
Taste This one really comes through at the taste. The hops are there in force, showing their complexity. The malt has a touch of caramel to it. This is a well-balanced NW IPA.
Mouthfeel This one is very dry and bitter and feels terrific in between the cheeks. It is smooth, refreshing, and just big enough to make you stand up and take notice. Its on the light side of medium but hearty nevertheless.
Drinkability This is my idea of an IPA. Nothing too heavy, but big enough to make you come back for more.
Comments I have been largely disappointed with the Hales offerings having now tasted and reviewed eight of them (this is number nine). Other than the Rudyards Rare I thought they were all either average or worse. I thought this one was a tad too thin, but other than that I was very impressed.
Update I first rated this in 2003 so thought it would be fun to re-review it with a 2004 vintage. I wasnt as excited about it the second time around. I liked the smoothness of the offering but thought it lacked character and identity.
★ 1,367 characters
3.97/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours slightly hazy yet almost clear deep golden with a very slight yet persistent head. The aroma is earthy floral spicy hops (just cannot figure out the exact hop aroma). The flavor is well bittered and the malt is substantial enough to keep the hops in line. The malt backbone is well done and the finish begins hoppy and malty and finishes dry and bitter over time. The body is medium and well done. The drinkability is good.
12 ounce bottle, label says bottle conditioned.
★ 489 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours slightly hazy yet almost clear deep golden with a very slight yet persistent head. The aroma is earthy floral spicy hops (just cannot figure out the exact hop aroma). The flavor is well bittered and the malt is substantial enough to keep the hops in line. The malt backbone is well done and the finish begins hoppy and malty and finishes dry and bitter over time. The body is medium and well done. The drinkability is good.
12 ounce bottle, label says bottle conditioned.
★ 489 characters
3.75/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Clear copper/gold in color. Immense very fine beige heads settles very slowly to a rocky incomplete cap leaving chunks of lace. Took several pours and about 15 minutes to fill an Imperial pint glass.
Nose is really nice. Tons of earthy, funky hops over a nice biscuity malt base. Some citrus pokes through with time as does a bit of leafiness.
Medium weight in the mouth with a nice malt attack. The hop is more citric on the palate, but the earthiness is there as well. Finish is quite long and bitter. Could use a touch more malt to balance on the finish.
Its bottle-conditioned, which is always a plus in my book, but this sample is seriously over-carbonated, which is a real distraction. The over-carbonation may be responsible for the perception of imbalance on the finish. A well-carbonated version would be a real treat. Very much in the current British IPA vein, and a nice change from the typical American IPA.
★ 928 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Clear copper/gold in color. Immense very fine beige heads settles very slowly to a rocky incomplete cap leaving chunks of lace. Took several pours and about 15 minutes to fill an Imperial pint glass.
Nose is really nice. Tons of earthy, funky hops over a nice biscuity malt base. Some citrus pokes through with time as does a bit of leafiness.
Medium weight in the mouth with a nice malt attack. The hop is more citric on the palate, but the earthiness is there as well. Finish is quite long and bitter. Could use a touch more malt to balance on the finish.
Its bottle-conditioned, which is always a plus in my book, but this sample is seriously over-carbonated, which is a real distraction. The over-carbonation may be responsible for the perception of imbalance on the finish. A well-carbonated version would be a real treat. Very much in the current British IPA vein, and a nice change from the typical American IPA.
★ 928 characters
3.7/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A surprisingly deep amber IPA with a transient head. Slight grassy aroma with some detectable malt husk smell. Nice Full malt body with a light flavoring and much larger bittering hop finish. Malt has a slightly roasted taste with a slight husk or rough taste and feel. Chewy! Unbalanced bitter end makes it less appealing to drink another, and it clashes with the meal.
★ 370 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A surprisingly deep amber IPA with a transient head. Slight grassy aroma with some detectable malt husk smell. Nice Full malt body with a light flavoring and much larger bittering hop finish. Malt has a slightly roasted taste with a slight husk or rough taste and feel. Chewy! Unbalanced bitter end makes it less appealing to drink another, and it clashes with the meal.
★ 370 characters
3.63/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Orangish/copper color with a 2 finger off-white head. It has a fruity, lemon zest aroma. The flavor is of fruit hops and a caramel malt background. It is not over the top in the hops, but is does leave a drying bitterness. It is medium in body, and easy drinking. A pretty well-balanced beer for an IPA.
★ 303 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Orangish/copper color with a 2 finger off-white head. It has a fruity, lemon zest aroma. The flavor is of fruit hops and a caramel malt background. It is not over the top in the hops, but is does leave a drying bitterness. It is medium in body, and easy drinking. A pretty well-balanced beer for an IPA.
★ 303 characters
3.82/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sampled in an Imperial Pint at the Brewery Pub.
Copperish beer with a fair clearness only showing a slight haze.
Initial impression of a soapy green veggie hop aroma with a chaser of spicy grated cinnamon bark.
Strong tarry hop bitterness blares on the initial approach and then levels off with a short caramel malt to edge off the hops.
Final finish is a warming hop burn down the throat with a clean final break.
★ 429 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Sampled in an Imperial Pint at the Brewery Pub.
Copperish beer with a fair clearness only showing a slight haze.
Initial impression of a soapy green veggie hop aroma with a chaser of spicy grated cinnamon bark.
Strong tarry hop bitterness blares on the initial approach and then levels off with a short caramel malt to edge off the hops.
Final finish is a warming hop burn down the throat with a clean final break.
★ 429 characters
3.92/5 rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A crystal clear amber color on the pour, the head monstrous in size, creamy in texture, a winsome light tan in color and the lace a velvety sheet to conceal the glass. Sweet malt, the aroma of hops, citrus crisp and a real treat to the old schnozzle, start sweet and malt laden, the top is light to middling in its feel. Finish is delicately acidic, the hops are prickly in their spicy bite, a mid-range IPA, not overpowering, just plain drinkable.
★ 448 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A crystal clear amber color on the pour, the head monstrous in size, creamy in texture, a winsome light tan in color and the lace a velvety sheet to conceal the glass. Sweet malt, the aroma of hops, citrus crisp and a real treat to the old schnozzle, start sweet and malt laden, the top is light to middling in its feel. Finish is delicately acidic, the hops are prickly in their spicy bite, a mid-range IPA, not overpowering, just plain drinkable.
★ 448 characters
3.18/5 rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Fluffy off white persistent head tops a light bronze hued brew. Excellent clarity. Rough, foamy lace remains. Light caramel and dryish biscuity malt along with a soft, floral and lightly lemon citrus hop nose. Subtle, judicious earthy esters round it out. Mellow and clean aromawise. Mild bready sweetness initially in flavor rounds out into a stately medium lovibond caramel malt presence, which in turn is quelled by moderate, lightly astringent earth laced hop and trace tannin bitterness. Drying on the palate. Malt reemerges late in an impression of toasty, mildly husky cracked caramel malt. Understated citric hop flavor. Lightly bodied, well attenuated, with a thinnish, but passably smooth mouthfeel. Finishes with a brief resurgence of sweetness leading into lingering light, yet sharp hop bitterness. Although Mongoose IPA is not assertive in hop character, the mild tannic notes add a slight astringency that detracted from overall enjoyment. It's certainly not outright flawed, but there are definitely better west coast IPAs out there. Fairly tasty nevertheless.
★ 1,076 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Fluffy off white persistent head tops a light bronze hued brew. Excellent clarity. Rough, foamy lace remains. Light caramel and dryish biscuity malt along with a soft, floral and lightly lemon citrus hop nose. Subtle, judicious earthy esters round it out. Mellow and clean aromawise. Mild bready sweetness initially in flavor rounds out into a stately medium lovibond caramel malt presence, which in turn is quelled by moderate, lightly astringent earth laced hop and trace tannin bitterness. Drying on the palate. Malt reemerges late in an impression of toasty, mildly husky cracked caramel malt. Understated citric hop flavor. Lightly bodied, well attenuated, with a thinnish, but passably smooth mouthfeel. Finishes with a brief resurgence of sweetness leading into lingering light, yet sharp hop bitterness. Although Mongoose IPA is not assertive in hop character, the mild tannic notes add a slight astringency that detracted from overall enjoyment. It's certainly not outright flawed, but there are definitely better west coast IPAs out there. Fairly tasty nevertheless.
★ 1,076 characters
4.07/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Clouded sunset golden hued, with a tiny, yet persistant ivory head. Nice lace work to boot.
Floral aromatics. British done Pacific NW style, with notes of pine sap interspersed between the blossoms.
Taste is a nice balance between the floral, piney and bittering varieties of hops. Nothing overwhelming, but well meshed. This is laid upon a bed of dead grass and toasted malts.
Medium bodied, just about what you'd expect from an IPA.
Nice brew either by itself or with some spicy cuisine.
Once again, Bighuge, I'm envious of your access to Hale's. Though I must admit, it tastes better with good company.
★ 616 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Clouded sunset golden hued, with a tiny, yet persistant ivory head. Nice lace work to boot.
Floral aromatics. British done Pacific NW style, with notes of pine sap interspersed between the blossoms.
Taste is a nice balance between the floral, piney and bittering varieties of hops. Nothing overwhelming, but well meshed. This is laid upon a bed of dead grass and toasted malts.
Medium bodied, just about what you'd expect from an IPA.
Nice brew either by itself or with some spicy cuisine.
Once again, Bighuge, I'm envious of your access to Hale's. Though I must admit, it tastes better with good company.
★ 616 characters
3.74/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Cloudy golden in color...nose is sweet and floral with some maltiness..very nice aroma.....some good bitterness on the flavor...not much citrus on the nose but some grapefruit juice like bittering on the taste...a real dry finish..body is a bit uncarbonated..not one of my favorite tasting IPA's...I expected much more West Coast juicy hopping...Would not buy this one again, but it is certainly not a bad beer...
★ 413 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Cloudy golden in color...nose is sweet and floral with some maltiness..very nice aroma.....some good bitterness on the flavor...not much citrus on the nose but some grapefruit juice like bittering on the taste...a real dry finish..body is a bit uncarbonated..not one of my favorite tasting IPA's...I expected much more West Coast juicy hopping...Would not buy this one again, but it is certainly not a bad beer...
★ 413 characters
Hale's Mongoose IPA from Hale's Ales Brewery & Pub
3.63
out of 5
based on 224 ratings.
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a hazy dark gold with a very nice fluffy white head that lasts a good long while before dissolving into a lacy film. Smell is of citrus hops with just a bit of malt in the back. Almost fruity at first until the hops kick in and dry the beer out although there is a tiny bit of sweetness left. Mouthfeel is a little grainy but not so that it takes away the enjoyment of the beer. A quite drinkable ale. A good porch sitting beer. Nothing outlandish, just nice drinkin
Rereview 2/26/05- Wow I must have had a cold the first time. Had this again and it was much hoppier and more drinkable than I remember. Still a bit of fruity ale esters, but the hops seemed much more pronounced. Definately one I will get again and again
★ 729 characters