Just shy of greatness
Written: Jun 05 '08 (Updated Apr 06 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very tasty; extremely smooth; not too filling
Cons: Flavor is a little too mild; prefer more citrus flavor
The Bottom Line: This would probably be a good "starter beer" for those interested in the India Pale Ale style.
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| Chad9976's Full Review: Saranac I.P.A |
I admit I’m pretty new to this beer-reviewing game, but one thing I do know is that I love India Pale Ale. Recently, I tried an IPA that was absolutely delicious and smooth and today I’ll be reviewing a beer that’s almost equally as good. That beer would be Saranac India Pale Ale. Being an appreciator of craft beers and especially of IPAs I can honestly say I really like this brew. It is extremely tasty and smooth, but I can’t help but think something’s missing.
POUR, COLOR AND AROMA
Saranac IPA pours perfectly with absolutely no air gulps straight from the bottle. Its color is a clear shade of lcopper and forms a nice size head. The head does linger throughout the drink and leaves a lot of lacing on the glass which I always find impressive.
The aroma, upon close inspection, is a distinct hop and floral scent, but not quite as strong as most IPAs.
TASTE
For a beer, Saranac IPA is well above other brews in the taste department. It’s very hoppy and has a well-balanced tart and bitter flavor. The only bummer is the flavor is not quite as potent as I was hoping for. It’s as if they followed the same recipe for other IPAs and added a tad too much water.
FINISH
At least the brew is silky smooth and finishes clean. It does have something of a tingle on your palate if you let it linger, but this is by no means a detriment. I wouldn’t consider this a flat beer.
BODY
It’s not surprising that an IPA would be a bit heavier in body than your typical ale because it’s made with extra hops. Saranac India Pale Ale is somewhere in the middle of medium and full-bodied beers at 5.8%. It’s certainly not a lightweight, quick-chugging beer, but it’s also far from being quickly filling. It’s a good beer to accompany a meal, or to drink on its own.
FINAL THOUGHTS
That a mid-level brewery from upstate New York could make an India Pale Ale this good is nothing short of amazing. As an inclusion to the Saranac “Adirondack Trail Mix” it’s a wise choice and the first beer in the case you’ll want to try. And who wouldn’t want to drink a tasty beer that’s also smooth?
OTHER INDIA PALE ALES:
Brooklyn East India Pale Ale (4)
Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA (3)
Dundee India Pale Ale (5)
Harpoon India Pale Ale (3)
Keegan Ales Hurricane Kitty (4)
Lake Placid India Pale Ale (4)
Magic Hat HI.P.A. (4)
Magic Hat Lucky Kat (5)
Middle Ages Impaled Ale (4)
Red Hook Long Hammer India Pale Ale (3)
Rogue Yellow Snow IPA (5)
Saranac Imperial IPA (3)
Sea Dog Old East India Pale Ale (3)
Smuttynose India Pale Ale (4)
ALSO BY SARANAC:
Saranac Adirondack Lager (3)
Saranac Belgian Ale (4)
Saranac Belgian White (5)
Saranac Black & Tan (4)
Saranac Black Forest (4)
Saranac Bohemian Pilsener (2)
Saranac Brown Ale (4)
Saranac Extra Special Bitter (4)
Saranac Golden Pilsener (3)
Saranac Hefeweizen (5)
Saranac Imperial IPA (3)
Saranac India Brown Ale (4)
Saranac Kolsch (3)
Saranac Octoberfest (3)
Saranac Pale Ale (3)
Saranac Pomegranate Wheat (3)
Saranac Pumpkin Ale (4)
Saranac Season's Best (4)
Saranac Summer Ale (3)
Saranac Vanilla Stout (4)
NOTE: watch the video version of this review at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XazTeayz1Rk
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Chad9976
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Chad Polenz
Location: Albany, New York
Reviews written: 657
Trusted by: 147 members
About Me:Check out Chad'z Beer Reviews on YouTube
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