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I do like this beer, but it's a pretty mediocre, or even below average, IPA.

I can't remember ever drinking a craft beer with less aroma. There's simply nothing on the nose.

The taste is pleasant with a bit of hop bitterness, but it's very subdued. I guess that's a nice way of saying there isn't much flavor.

It's a very drinkable, refreshing beer, but it's quite bland by IPA standards.
I probably wouldn't buy it again if it wasn't a relatively local brew.

Starr Hill has some great beer (Double Platinum and Jomo, especially), but this one isn't special.

Price: $1.20 Served In: Pint Glass

Old Review
12 oz bottle I received from the great guy that is IBUnit63. Thanks, Larry. Served up in my shaped DFH pint glass.

A: Pours a pretty damned nice apricot orange in color. Held to the light, you get some more of the yellow that is in there. This is a sunshiney golden yellow. The pour got me a good two fingers of head. The head is foamy and decently thick. Retention is ok, faltering slowly to a thick white collar resting on top wth a pretty solid top cap. Lace is sticky and really notches on the way down. Body shows some lazy carbonation in a pretty clean and clear body. Overall, a good looking brew.

S: This beer has a pretty mild hops presence but it is fragrant. Got some mild grapefruit coming through in the citrus hops presence. There is also a nice floral aroma coming through as well. Crackery malt is in full effect on the back end. A little bit of butter comes through but its light. Not exactly a complex aroma, but its nice to put your nose in the glass and absolutely satisfying.

T: Taste is a bit more muted than the aroma. The grapefruit is light but it does have a touch of bite to it. The floral flavor is also slight but present. The malt takes more of the stage than expected, making more of a bready and slightly sweet experience. I have come to expect more bite and bitterness from my IPAs, but this beer still has a nice aroma. Its just not as hop forward as expected.

M: Medium bodied brew that has a bit of thickness to it. Nice and creamy with a touch of velvet to it. It really mingles well on the palate and has a nice smoothness to it. Touch of alcohol heat on the throat but otherwise not very present. Aftertaste is some sweet and bready malt.

D: Sure, this isn't a crazy, hop bittered IPA, but not all of them have to be. This beer has a pleasing flavor even if it is muted. Goes down easy and quenches nicely. It doesn't have that acidic quality that aggravates heartburn as some IPAs often do to me. I would absolutely have no problem killing a sixer of this and I would absolutely pick up another for the future. nice stuff.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 05-17-2009 06:02:11

Served In: Pint Glass