However, some compensation is at hand in the form of the recently-launched Thwaites Indus IPA, a 4.6% ABV brew now available in bottle at Morrisons. Thwaites house style has generally been on the malty side, but this offers a distinct contrast. The bottle describes it as having a “thoroughly hoppy flavour” and says it is a “refreshing amber ale, brewed with four hop varieties for superb taste and aroma.” It isn’t yet on the Cyclops tasting notes website.
There was little noticeable aroma, although this was a fridge-chilled sample that might have dampened it down. Colour is an appealing dark amber, with noticeable carbonation and a thin but lasting head. The flavour is very dry, with the hops coming through strongly in a surprisingly long, complex aftertaste. There are hints of fruit and a good solid malty base – it’s certainly not one of those wishy-washy lemony beers. Definitely one for a repeat purchase.
It’s also available in cask form, but it is yet another beer where the bottled version is considerably stronger than the cask, which is only 3.9%.
I really enjoyed this bottle when I tried it a week ago, got another one tonight which I'm going to baron rate later.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good solid hoppy ale, very tasty - I'm just not sure it's really an IPA.
The cask version is ok but loses some of that spicy marmalade flavour, it ends up being more Boondoggle than Boombastic ;)
"It's not really an IPA" is one of those classic examples of beer pedantry, really. It's as much of a IPA as Fuller's Bengal Lancer (and in my view a nicer beer) and far more so than Greene King IPA, even the "Export" version.
ReplyDeleteCurmudgeon: "It's not really an IPA" is one of those classic examples of beer pedantry, really.
ReplyDeleteYou must shake your head at RateBeer.com then. A lot of the time the people on there can't tell whether a beer is a schwarz or a dunkel but feel duty-bound to stick it in categories.
I agree, really quite enjoyable when i had it last week.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't mind the odd drop of 'Greene King Isn't Particularly Anything'
ReplyDeleteBut it does drink a little like its name.