Category: IPAs and Pales

Westbrook Brewing – Citrus Ninja Exchange Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

Citrus NinjaAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Westbrook Brewing
Style: Imperial IPA
ABV: 9.5%
Cost: ???? (12oz)
Glassware: Snifter, Tulip
Temp: 50°F
Availability: Limited
Purchased@: Beer Trade
Brew Date: Mid August
Drink Date: Mid October

Quick Take: This is one of the bigger disappointments I’ve come across after a pretty stellar run of beers. That isn’t to say it’s bad, it isn’t, but the heavy malt and lack of hops (and grapefruit actually) makes this simply a good beer. The lack of hop bite makes me a sad panda, but those that are only IPA curious may actually find a lot to like with the malt being the star of the show.

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The Brew Kettle – White Rajah Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

White RajahAll You Need to Know

Brewery: The Brew Kettle
Style: IPA
ABV: 6.8%
Cost: ???? (12oz)
Glassware: Pint, Tulip
Temp: 50°F
Availability: Various Times
Purchased@: Beer Trade Extra

Quick Take: I view White Rajah as Hopslam’s less tropical cousin, but with ramped up bitterness and a stronger grain finish. It isn’t built to wow, but it has a lot of flavor for a non-imperial IPA. Good beer I’d get again if I saw it regularly, but I’m not loading up the car for a brewery trip just yet.

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Rhinegeist Brewery – Truth Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews
Forgot to Take a Pic, so Here's one from Their Site
Forgot to take a pic, so here’s one from their site

All You Need to Know

Brewery: Rhinegeist Brewery
Style: IPA
ABV: 7.2%
Cost: ???? (12oz)
Glassware: Pint
Temp: 50°F
Availability: Year Round
Purchased@: Beer Trade Extra

Quick Take: It doesn’t re-write the book on IPAs, but it is a solid entry and one I would welcome into my mouth should I be able to get it again. I’d liken it to The Public from DC Brau or Anti-Hero from Revolution, which are great basic IPAs that scratch that IPA itch without being hop bombs. Glad to have it and makes me want to hunt down more from this brewer.

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Ballast Point – Grapefruit Sculpin Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

Grapefruit SculpinAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Ballast Point
Style: IPA
ABV: 7.0%
Cost: $5 (10oz)
Glassware: Water Goblet (Tulip)
Temp: 55°F
Availability: Variable Times
Purchased@: Friendly Greek

Quick Take: This is a west coast beer specifically made to satisfy the bitter is better crowd. If your idea of a great IPA is honeyed Chillwave or Hopslam, stay far away. But if bitter grapefruit is your thing, meet your new beer king. For me, it takes one of my favorite drinking IPAs and turns it into a one note bore of bitter grapefruit peel that lacks the juicy grapefruit I crave.

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Maine Brewing Co. – Dinner Review

Posted on by Drews Brews Reviews

DinnerAll You Need to Know

Brewery: Maine Brewing Co.
Style: Double IPA
ABV: 8.2%
Cost: ???? (12oz)
Glassware: Tulip, Snifter
Temp: 55°F
Availability: Various Times
Purchased@: Beer Trade

Quick Take: Out of the numerous Maine beers I’ve sampled, Dinner is hands down my favorite and one of the best IPAs I’ve had. This is a great example of a rich, full-bodied, finely hopped IPA similar to those Vermont IPAs you hear so much about. The dank deliciousness of Dinner makes this a beer worth seeking out, even if the availability appears limited right now. I gotta say that Maine Brewing knocked this one out of the state.

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