Samuel Smith’s India Ale

Additional notes 07/09/23 (pictured)

Color, as noted below, a resplendent orange, with some tremendous head and some decent lace. Cracking looking.

As notes, a classic, light drinking, subtley hopped (in the grand scheme) ale that dances on the tongue oh so stealthily. Gentle, but with presence.


Original notes 02/06/05

In the light of the “kick you in the balls”, over the top-hopped nature of so many (especially American) IPAs these days, I suspect that this beer is going to disappoint many. Of course, the reason that others will find it a let down, is the same reason that I enjoyed it so much. Subtlety and balanced are in the brew in abundance and its better for it. This is its main strength.

A light orange colored pour, typical for your general IPA and a modest but well formed head meet the eye. The aroma’s are subdued, as are the initial flavors, with a simple balance of malt, alcohol, hops and some aniseed like herbs.

The hops are barely noticeable (even I have been conditioned by the super-heavy hops of other brews), until the finish. The finish is classically IPA, with a dry, bitter and hopped content that reminds me of the old days!

A nice, drinkable beer in a more traditional, tempered IPA way.

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02/06/2005
Format:
bottle
ABV: 5.0 %
Appearance: 4
Taste: 4
Mouthfeel: 4
Smell: 3.5
Overall: 4
Total: 3.9
Series Name:
Year:

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