Additional notes (03/25/23) (Pictured)

Now in cans (UGH), but very similar sixteen years later from the original notes. In fact, almost identical, which is such a great compliment to Alesmith and the beer.

The only thing that upsets me is the (contemporary) misuse of the term , “West Coast IPA”. It’s so interesting to me that I used it in the original review, all that time ago, in the correct manner.

Original notes (07/01/07)

22oz bomber courtesy of Damian (BA Solomon420). Thank-you.

Pour yields a classic orange color with a mild cloudiness, a beautiful head, great lacing BUT a little more in the way of suspended particles than I was expecting. Were it not for those particles I might have giving this a 5 for appearance.

Nose as expected, but a little sweeter than some of the big, West Coast IPA’s. Taste is pretty much as expected for a beer of the origin and the style. The hops ARE big, but there is a subtlety about the beer – an uncommon trait in this type of brew. Either the malt backbone or other features temper the hop boldness to some degree – this helps the drinkability. Mild grapefruit rounds the beer out. Less pine-resin than other

West Coast examples and I think this may be why this is very well thought of by many – a more rounded example of the style.

A little alcohol warmth in the finish but its all in check. Obviously much bigger than a contemporary English IPA, but a classic example of the West Coast, American version.