Caldera IPA - Caldera Brewing Company

metter98

New York

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear coppery orange in color and has a slight amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin light beige head that diminished to a thin layer of bubbles on the surface and a collar of large bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: The smell has interesting aromas of peaches along with notes of caramel malts and citrus hops.
T: Flavors of hops dominate the overall taste and lend flavors of citrus and tropical fruits along with a light to moderate amount of bitterness that lingers through the finish. There are notes of caramel malts.
M: The beer feels medium-bodied, crisp and a bit creamy on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is a very hop-forward beer but it is well balanced so that the bitterness is not overpowering.

Serving type: can

05-06-2012 12:10:46 | More by metter98

WesWes

New York

4.33/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a hazy dark golden/amber color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a nice pale and Carapils scent along with a huge citrus hop aroma. There is a light breadiness as well. The taste is very good. It's light with a damn bitter hop taste. It's loaded with citrus goodness. The malt bill provides some balance, but this is a hop heavy beer. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a great session IPA. It refreshingly hoppy and easily drinkable.

Serving type: can

02-27-2010 23:32:10 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a can into a standard pint glass. Beer is orange and clear. Tight white head forms and when it falls away leaves lacing on the glass. Carbonation is medium.

Aroma is good but pretty simple. It is piney hop aroma and not much else, I may detect a little sweetness. It is attractive.

Clean drinking beer, good bitterness all at the back finishes nearly completely. I would describe this as well balanced. As you drink it the aftertaste builds on you slightly, still a very drinkable beer. Body is medium, which is fine. I like this IPA.

Serving type: can

10-30-2009 02:26:33 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to 5000 for sending this can my way.

The beer pours a dark amber color with a white head. Darker than expected. The aroma is very nice. I get a lot of grapefruit and pine notes.

The flavor is similar. The predominant flavor is some resiny pine from the hops but I also get some grapefruit. The toffee and caramel malt backbone balance out the beer nicely and keep the bitterness level fairly low for a west coast IPA.

Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Very nice.

Serving type: can

02-05-2011 03:09:37 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out a slightly hazy, auburn/amber color with a thick, foamy, tan, two-finger head. It left some nice lace.

S - It smelled of tons of pine. Sweet notes of grapefruit and orange peel.

T - It was very peppery and spicy with a smooth burnt toast maltiness. Some subtle citrus flavors, too.

M - It was crisp and sharp. A light to medium-bodied beer.

D - This is a pretty good IPA. Here in the Midwest the price tag was a bit high, though.

Serving type: can

05-09-2009 12:55:26 | More by zeff80

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.4/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Acquired from Tiklmelmo courtesy of the Hometown BIF, so a big "Thank You" goes out to him. Poured from a 12oz can into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a light golden brown color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains floral hops, fruity citrus and caramelized malts.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of citrus and caramel that are quickly followed by strong but not over-powering and very complementary hops bitterness. The malt character is hearty but not too heavy and provides a very good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly hoppy.

M: Smooth and crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean and dry.

D: Very tasty, goes down quite easily, not too filling, decent kick, very good representation of style, this is a very solid IPA that is worth drinking for a long time.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2010 22:12:07 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Snagged a can of this after seeing that it's got such a positive amount of reviews. The beer poured out as a clear yellowish gold color, it has a pretty good looking soapy head on it. The lacing is a little sticky but not too much. The smell of the beer has a really nice malty and hoppy aroma. The hops smell bright and fruity. The taste of the beer was pretty good. The hops were definitely in there ready to hit ya in the mouth. The malt cleaned up the mess in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel was light and refreshing. Overall it was a pretty good IPA.

Serving type: can

06-28-2011 03:34:13 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

part of my liquid solutions order, a late x-mas gift to me, from me!

Pours an effervescent amber with 3 fingers of fluffed up cream colored head. Above average lacing & superior head retention

S: Much grapefruit & some pine hops

T: Biscuitty malt, a touch of honey, then lemony hops & finally a wave of grapefruit hops up front. Bready notes, caramel, & then more grapefruit as this warms. Finishes a little dry, with more grapefruitty hops, & a bit of honey malt. Almost gave this a 4.5

MF: Pretty smooth with some chewyness & excellent carbonation & balance

Drinks pretty easy, nice to find another great canned beer out there! Good AIPA

Serving type: can

03-16-2008 05:37:35 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.68/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A decent pour from the can produces an almost three-finger thick, light tan colored head in my large Tripel Karmeliet tulip. The beer is a light amber color, but shows a brilliantly clear, orange / red tinged, full copper hue when held up to the light. The aroma is definitely hoppy, though not aggressively so, there is also a fair amount of malt character that accentuates a sticky hop character. Aromas of candied orange zest, ruby red grapefruit, caramelized oranges, some touches of pine and green herbal notes and, towards the finish, a touch of cracker like grain and lightly toasted malt.

Slightly sweet, somewhat light bodied, but definitely hoppy. A nice bitterness clings to the palate and lingers for quite some time in a long, bitter, dry finish. Up front the bitterness takes on a decidedly herbal note with touches of hemp, biting pine flavors and a bit of herbal / green-grassy notes. This is definitely nice and quaffable, it is not overly sweet nor thick for an IPA, though the hop character definitely tends to cling to the palate. The first sips, as well as sips where I have gone and done something else for a while, have a much more prominent citrus hop character (with orange zest, grapefruit notes, kumquat and perhaps a touch of lychee); otherwise the herbal and bitter hop flavors dominate.

The flavor is much more harsh and aggressive than the aroma suggested, but it will certainly still be enjoyable for the hop heads out there. A solid IPA, that could actually use a touch more malt, or to dial back the herbal and bitter hop character.

Purchased: Liquid Solutions

Serving type: can

11-16-2008 01:19:53 | More by Gueuzedude

Halcyondays

California

3.73/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. can,

A: Pours amber, nice finger sized white head, good head retention, solid lace, nice look all around.

S: Oranges/Simcoe, tropical fruit, pine, a very pretty smell, but understated, could be great.

T: Heavy citrus dominates - orange, tangerine, grapefruit, pine in the finish. Like the Pale, the malt is very light, I like the hop profile a lot more in this one as compared to the Pale.

M: Soft carbonation - perhaps from the can, medium-bodied.

D: Pretty standard Northwest IPA, a fine drinking beer, not going to wow you.

Serving type: can

09-02-2009 21:12:48 | More by Halcyondays

jwc215

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours copper with a rich off-white head. Trailing lace nearly covers the glass.

The smell is of pine, herbal spicing, some medicinal notes, perfumy, with orange and grapefruit. A nice, complex hop aroma!

The taste is of an herbal, aspirin-ish, bitterness with grapefruit and orange. Alcohol comes through in a peppery way. Slight metallic (steely) notes accompany the caramel backing.

Medium-bodied.

This is a nicely done, hoppy IPA, even for the style, with a solid caramel backing. Despite slight metallic/steely notes and slight show of the abv, this one disappears "too" quickly and is certainly worth seeking out if you're a follower of the hops! A nice IPA in a can - I'm a happy man!

Serving type: can

01-01-2010 02:51:36 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a 6-pack at State Line in Maryland. Poured a golden amber with a good white head. This beer reminds me of Dale's Pale Ale, and not because of the can. There's a big punch of citrus and pine hops that's met (more so here than with Dale's) by a hit of caramel malt. Very drinkable and a tasty, more balanced IPA.

Serving type: can

06-23-2009 01:43:35 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 12 oz can from Liquid Solutions.

A: The IPA is a full amber color, a mixture of brown and yellow that results in an dull orange hue. A luxurious head of nearly two fingers has laced in spades.

S: The aroma is strong, even fresh out of the can. Thick grapefruit and pine notes battle to attention. An odd malt aroma, very vegetal and regurgitated. It tempers the beauty of the hops.

T: This is an IPA that fires on all cylinders. The hops are fresh, loaded with citrus and pine flavor. The bitterness is fairly low but it is there, lingering below the surface. The caramel grains stand out, pairing nicely with the hops.

M: The IPA really hits the spot with a large hop profile that bites as it soothes. A good beer that screams West coast IPA.

D: A very quaffable ale that doesn't skimp on the hops. Too bad the nose was a little offputting.

Serving type: can

05-24-2009 00:22:46 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appears semi haze copper orange body glows when held to the light, large bubbled off white head clings to my pint with thick chunky even lacing between each sip. Aroma is chalk full of hops grapefruit, floral, and piney varieties blend wonderfully tickle the nose with citrus peel like fury. As it warms more of a complex earthiness with mild tree bark notes ring out but underneath all those hops a subtle layer of malt sugars arise bringing out sweet candy like notes. Flavor is upfront with brash bitterness yet enough malt sweetness comes out to party, this is west coast style IPA all the way. Hop bitterness reigns supreme with grapefruit citrus peel bitterness and more of that earthy dirt layer coming through. Mouthfeel the hop bitterness consumes your palate it really sticks around it makes you feel like you have to scrape the hops off your tongue, I love it. Once again I love the can format, this is great to get this much hop flavor out of a near 6%abv brew coming right out of a can. Next time I hit up an outdoor event where drinking takes place I will remember this beer and wish I had at least a case on hand. Very green yet biscuit malts and mild caramel twang make so drinkable the palate gets used to those brash bittering hops and adjusts to all the other flavors my palate has a found it's equilibrium and no shit this is an outstanding IPA in a can. Hoppier than Gordon DIPA.

Serving type: can

02-23-2008 17:43:06 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I made sure I picked this up after seeing it since I felt like I may have had an older can when I first tried it. But let's get down to it. Love the nose; just pops and carries great hop tones. Very alive. The flavor profile is good. Lots of malts, yes. But the hops really step in there and contribute appropriately. Has a nice vibrant tone to it. I like it. Nice IPA in a can and a good beer overall.

Serving type: can

05-09-2012 05:35:46 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.73/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured a copperish orange color with good carbonation and a nice white head

S: Caramel, bread, pine and light booze

T: Taste follows nose pretty well. Balanced, with a good caramel and breadiness, floral and pine notes

M: Nice lingering bitterness and sweet, sticky feel

D: Good

Serving type: growler

09-11-2010 20:39:24 | More by barleywinefiend

Wasatch

Utah

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very nice golden orange color, nice carbonation, nice creamy one-finger plus off-white head, lots of nice small islands and sticky lacing follows. The nose is malty, big hop note, citrus/pines, and caramel. The taste is very nice, malty, hoppy, with some nice citrus/pine tones, with some caramel thrown in. Medium body. Very drinkable, this is a very solid IPA (in a can too), definitely recommended.

Serving type: can

05-10-2008 23:19:43 | More by Wasatch

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Another great lookin IPA in a can, becoming a new trend I guess. Got this one thanks to my first trade with womencantsail.

A: The pour into my oversized snifter rises a fluffy head of over 1 finger. It's a semi clear slightly darker amber reddish almost flourescent color.

N: Lots of fresh hops. Loaded with pine and citrus, just as a west coast IPA should be. Little bit of chewy and earthy hops, and hints of musty fresh wet hops and hop oils. A very light sweet malt aroma dusts it as well.

T: A big bitter bite. Lots of earthy musty spicy hops with some hop oil and fresh wet hop flavors. Some pine and grapefruit, a little more citrus, and chewy hops. Pretty bitter, or more than I expected. A slight sweet malt touch just for a little roundedness.

M: Some spicy hops and some oils, a good body and good carbonation.

F: The bitterness builds a little on the finish, and just ramps up to a nice peak and lingers there for a bit. The musty fresh wet hop flavors, pale hops, and earthy hop flavors seem to linger for a while, with a touch of pine. A little orange peel bitterness hits as well. A nice IPA, some good hop flavors, but a little too musty and bitter, orange peel bitterness.

Serving type: can

03-08-2010 00:21:12 | More by jlindros

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to hopdog for this...
Appears a hazy, light orange with a small white head that fades into a mild collar and film. Spotty lacing is left around the glass.
Smell is nice of citrusy hops, along with some notes of pine sap and herbs.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas with caramel and citrus notes battling it out with a mild spiciness going on in the flavor.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, yeasty, sweet up front, and bitter on the end.

Serving type: can

09-14-2007 15:35:59 | More by weeare138

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz can into a pint glass.

Pours a crystal clear caramel amber with a couple fingers of poofy off-white head. A thin and foamy layer of retention flares up very nicely, leaving a big creamy cascade of sticky lacing behind. The aroma is rich with a ton of tropical fruit character, along with floral notes, spice, and some bread.

The taste is a moderatley bitter and spicy hop profile that is well balanced by citrus and toasted bready malts. I'm not getting a lot of sweetness out of the backbone but it's enough to even things out. Finishes with a dry lingering combo of bitterness and spice. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with an extremely mellow and creamy feel. Very easy feeling overall.

I've been wanting to try some of Caldera's offerings and this didn't disappoint. Nicely balanced IPA flavors with a big drinkibility and I love the fact that this is in cans. Nice!

Serving type: can

02-10-2009 17:41:25 | More by Kegatron

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.68/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12Oz can purchased from 'Beers of Europe' here in the UK. Poured the beer into a 'Hoegaarden' Grand Cru glass.

looked good, huge cream coloured head sat on top of a dull, hazy, dark amber/orange body. The head produced some heavy lacing and tried to stay throughout the tasting.

The nose was of yeasts and hops along with some grain type esters.

The hops from the aroma take over the taste completely, a real bitterness hits the mouth and throat. Why do they (or is it you?) have to over hop everything in the US when they brew an IPA? There really is no need to do so. It isn't as bad (hop wise) as some I've reviewed, but still too hoppy for my tender tastebuds.

It is true to the American IPA style and I think one of the better examples I've had (I am not a huge fan of the style though).

Serving type: can

07-09-2010 14:02:58 | More by BlackHaddock

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

2.85/5  rDev -29.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

First had: Philly Beer Scene Tasting panel with Matt Falco at Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA

I was privileged enough to be on the tasting panel for PBS Magazine, along with Bill Covaleski of Victory and Greg Ramirez of Exton Beverage. This was one of 21 beers we sampled during the session.

Clear orange-copper pour with a thin layer of bubbles for a head. Aroma of citrus and leafy hops, light pale malts. Taste reflects the nose: solid malt base, leafy hops, light and tea-like; pretty basic, but not as flavorful as I like my AIPAs. Advertised as being "brewed with plenty of body." Well, something must've happened between then and now, because the body on this was very light, kind of watery in the mouthfeel. Crisp and fairly refreshing, but lacking in most vital areas that make for a good beer.

Serving type: can

05-26-2012 03:28:25 | More by Rifugium

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Can. Great for shooting empty bottles in the desert. Orange color. Yummy dry hop aroma, fruity too.

Good taste, not tongue numbing hops or bitterness, just the right amount for an active outdoor lifestyle for this ipa. Right amount of sweetness. Not heavy on the palate at all. Good summer ipa. Nothing outlandish mouthfeel wise. $10 a 6 was difficult at first, but seems to be a decent price after all.

Serving type: can

07-12-2010 22:35:27 | More by Beerandraiderfan

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

From notes:

Pours a dark golden copper/amber color with dark ruby red edges hen held to a light source and a massive frothy three finger off-white head. Excellent retention, only slowly fading into a thick lasting cap that leaves sporadic chunks of soapy lacing left behind.

Sweet citrus hop aroma with hints of pineapple, range peel, mango along with subtle earthy pine, subtle light fruit and alcohol.

On the lighter end of medium bodied with a nice balance of sweet citrus, earthy hops and malt backbone. Not overly bitter with hints of grapefruit and pineapple as well as some pine needle and biscuit/graham cracker malt. Slightly dry finish. Decent but nothing out of the ordinary.

Serving type: can

01-06-2011 09:25:07 | More by corby112

DoubleJ

California

3.58/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

My thirst is getting to me, so why not an IPA to quench it? On to the beer:

It's all good in looks; dense head, iron orange color in my glass, good retention. The nose is the expected NW IPA dose of lychee, grapefruit, and pine sap. As suggested the nose, this IPA goes towards the "dirty hop" side. Big smack of grapefruit, pine, lingering hop bitterness on the palate, and a hint of orange. The aftertaste of sap lingers softly. The beer has a smooth body with carbonation that doesn't seem like it's there. In all respects, a respectable IPA.

Serving type: can

09-25-2010 06:08:38 | More by DoubleJ