12 oz single, $1.99 from CBX, Charleston, SC, USA. Pour is a deep red with slightly off-white head that leaves some nice, sticky lace. The lace is an important feature of this style for me. Good clarity on the pour. Nose and tastes show plenty of malty sweetness, but being faithful to the American version of this style there is also plenty of hop character to balance it out. It finishes dry (which is what I want the style to do), and it leaves me with some nice, hoppy burps. Caramel and toffee...
Notes on beers brewed by
Ballast Point Brewing Company
Sculpin India Pale Ale
Thanks go out to Grant for a chance to try this one at The Brick Store, Decatur, GA, USA. Pale orange pour with good clarity and a small, soapy ill-formed head. Quite floral in the nose. Not nearly as big as I was expecting given the reputation of this beer. Well balanced - even quite sweet - there is just no way that I would describe this a a very hoppy beer at all. Floral, sweet notes continue through the beer until a bitter finish. Not what I was expecting at all. Well balanced, refreshing...
Dorado Double IPA
Thanks go out to Solomon 420 for the trade. 22 oz bomber, opened and split with a few kindred spirits at the Brick Store, Decatur, GA, USA. (I think it said 9.1% on the label as opposed to 9.6 listed currently in the BA db. Suprisingly light colored pour with a great looking head and plenty of lace. Pretty sweet, and although there are plenty of West Coast type hops upfront, and indeed throughout the beer, the overwhelming sensation that I get is the sweetness. Quite slick in the mouth too....