Caldera IPA - Caldera Brewing Company

brauseboof

South Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The first one poured with an incredibly large off white head with great retention. I was very careful the second time. Color was a hazy copper
Smelled of bubble gum and citrus.
Tastes like it smells, with a hint of lime. The grapefruit biterness kicks in at the end.
Well carbonated, smooth, nicely balanced between malt and hops.
A fine example of an American IPA. Highly recommended.

Serving type: can

06-25-2010 00:07:19 | More by brauseboof

mtrentm

Oregon

4.68/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured from a can to a pint glass.

A: Light rust orange copper color with a one-finger white yellowish hued head. Nice sticky lacing left behind on the edges of the glass.

S: Not a blast of hops on the nose as expected from a NW IPA but improves as it warms. Smelling of grapefruit, oranges & a smell ever so familiar to when I lived in Eugene (Ganja).

T: Amazing flavor! Starts out off-dry kind of sweet, then BAM the hops hit! Very nice bitterness with pine & citrus flavors & a little bit of that Ganja flavor from the nose. Finishes with some caramel & great bitterness.

M: Medium-full bodied, with a nice refreshing crispness.

D: Very drinkable IPA, always a go to favorite since I love the bitterness it provides!

Serving type: can

03-01-2009 21:45:51 | More by mtrentm

hoppyhobby

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours to a frothey tan head with a deep and beautiful copper body. Excellent lacing.

S: Slight, hoppy, piney aroma.

T: Citrusy with piney hops. Crisp and not real bitter but it does have a slight bite with lasting flavor. The hops definitely comes through. A nice IPA that doesn't knock you over. Typically what an IPA is suppose to be.

M: Lightly carbonated, smooth and thin. Not watery or oily.

D: Refreshing and while not a session beer, you can easily enjoy a couple of these without any problems. One of the better canned micro-brews that I have tried.

Serving type: can

02-20-2010 21:36:45 | More by hoppyhobby

IPAguy2009

Oregon

4.63/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Picked up a 6er of this, cool lookin can! On sale for 8.99 I believe. Normal is 10 bucks I believe. Poured into a frozen pint glass right from the fridge.

A- Pours an orange dark straw color. Good lookin'! LACING is great in this beer! O so sticky!

S- HOPS HOPS and more fresh picked fruity HOPS. From past experience with this beer I know everything improves as it warms up. Very beer-like smell. Also lots of grain as well. Great smell

T- Starts with a very short great malt and grain taste then right into a delicious fresh hop flavor that reminds me of the smell of picking a ripe hop bud right off the bine! Lasts for some good time. I dare say the most profound fresh hop flavor I've ever tasted in a IPA, it literally tastes like you put some hops in your mouth and started chewing it up and its great. Very full flavored.

M- Medium, not too light but not heavy.

O- A great IPA, I am not the biggest fan of piney IPAs but this one has just a touch of it then followed by fruity hops (my preference). A for sure thumbs up from me. Darn near my most fav IPA. Pick some up, you will enjoy if your an IPA fan.

Serving type: can

12-18-2011 02:02:44 | More by IPAguy2009

thebeerisgood

Indiana

3.65/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Aroma: Not much to this one with very faint hints of floral hops and citrus, maybe a little grassy.

Appearance: A medium amber color with a thick creamy white head that leaves a thick top that follows the beer all the way down the glass.

Taste: Muted grassy hops, orange, balanced well with sweet malt and finishes dry.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light feel to it with mild carbonation.

Overall: Not a bad brew overall, but not great either. Checking Caldera's site on this, it claims to have an assertive hop profile and 94 IBUs. I'm thinking this can traveled a long way and sat for quite some time before being sold to me, because I am not picking up much bitterness or hops. Someone could have told me this was a pale ale with IBUs around 50-60, and I would have believed it. Still, it was an enjoyable beer, and I'll be keeping an eye out for others from this brewery.

Serving type: can

04-21-2011 00:32:08 | More by thebeerisgood

libertygrails

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Bright, colorful 12 oz. can poured into yer average pint glass.

Pint: Color is dark straw. Aggressive pour yields a light head that reduces quickly. Moderate carbonation. Loads of cloudy-white lacing down the glass.

Nose: Ahhh...ye olde tell-tale Simcoe and Centennial THC-esque resiny/floral hops. Very sweet and estery! Lovely.

Taste/Palate: Sharp, grassy/floral/resiny hops with light malt couples for a nicely refreshing Ale. Liquid sunshine...truth in advertising here, folks.

Mouthfeel: Not to heavy/not to light. Really nicely balanced here. Gimme another quaff. This IPA goes down very, very easy.

Drinkability: The perfect PNW Summer Session IPA. The best IPA i've had out of a can/as good or better than many in bottles. Don't let the packaging keep you cuz i can't find anything not to like here. A clear Blue Ribbon IPA. I'll be coming back. Thanks to you, Caldera Brewing. Another brew worthy of inclusion in the proud pantheon of PNW hoppy Ales. Try one. You'll drink two, maybe three?

Serving type: can

04-07-2008 02:30:03 | More by libertygrails

beerswamie

Missouri

4.7/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

picked up a six-pack because I have been hearing good things about this beer.

A- dont know much since I drank it out of the can.
T- Wow this stuff is great! the pine taste and citrus just explode in your mouth at the first drink.

Unfortunately only one store carries this in my area and it is a bit of a trip but well worth it for one of the best beers out of a can you ever had.

Serving type: can

08-12-2009 17:13:31 | More by beerswamie

charmcityboh

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the can into a tulip. Nice pour, perfect carbonation, nice medium head, solid lacing.
Aroma is a perfect IPA balance of malt and citrusy piney hops. Taste matches aroma perfectly, this is a very balanced IPA.
One weakness for me is the mouthfeel is the slightest bit thin. For all the flavor and aroma I would like it a bit "chewier".
Very solid IPA.

Serving type: can

08-31-2010 02:21:39 | More by charmcityboh

TheHungryHiker

Illinois

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

A= pours a dark orange-brown leathery hue. The head is cream colored and airy, with lacing that clinged to the sides of the wine glass I used for the tasting.

S= Piney hops, as expected. Some floral notes and grapefruit.

T= Again the pine, but the grapefruit shows up stronger then the nose suggests. The hops are out front, but not the least bit aggresive. A touch of malt in the backbone evens things out and holds the hops in check.

M= Light bodied. Smooth and a bit creamy for an IPA. Carbonation is light. The bitterness of the hops linger, but in a more subdued way than other IPAs I have tried.

D= This is an IPA I could drink all day. Not too filling, not too bitter, well balanced.

Serving type: can

07-20-2010 01:15:46 | More by TheHungryHiker

irishgurl4

California

3.98/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer in Can ≠ Meh

After year's of corporate programming by Bud, Miller, and Coors, I have come to associate beer in cans as being "meh." Even when I see craft brews in cans I can't help but think "meh beer." But as I sit here sipping a Caldera IPA I am having a cognitive dissonance moment. This beer comes in a can AND it tastes GOOD. Whoa.

Mind = Blown. To review ...

Poured from a 12oz can into a Firestone Walker shaker pint glass.

A: Pours a deep honey color with a good two finger head that sticks around quite awhile before dissipating into a thin layer on top.

S: Smells of citrusy hop goodness.

T: My tongue is braced for hops but wait, what is that? Is that malt? Yes, yes it is! There's a nice malt backbone running through this thing that finished with a good does of citrusy hops. Nicely balanced.

M: A good medium body with just the right amount of carbonation. Bitter goodness lingers on the palate.

D: In one word, very. The balance between the malt and hops is just right.

Overall, I give Caldera IPA a noms and a hat tip for being in a can. :)

Serving type: can

09-12-2010 02:55:05 | More by irishgurl4

Schmit

Washington

4.53/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

One of the best IPAs from Oregon (which is saying a lot).

$2 for a 12-oz. can at Full Throttle Bottle in south Seattle--and worth every penny.

Great head on this rosy-orange colored beer. It lets off a strong and unmistakable lychee aroma, which I've smelled on all three separate occasions I've tasted it so far. Flavor has the same lychee up front, with piney/resiny hops backing it up. Carbonation is good and the finish is pleasantly bitter that doesn't linger over-long.

All in all, one great IPA and probably the best thing I've ever drunk out of a can.

Serving type: can

06-02-2011 05:36:55 | More by Schmit

Cubatobaco

Virginia

4.23/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: Copper in color with a deep haziness. You can pick out some carbonation through the fog of the glass. Light lacing and and about an 1/8 of an inch head.

S: Slightly muted in the nose with hints of sweetness. Others here call it "candy", but I'm getting a "butter-like" aroma. Light citrus and pine notes are there as well.

T: The taste is very different in the sense I am getting the same "butter-like" note on the back end, just behind the classic West Coast IPA tastes of citrus fruit and pine.

M: Oily with light carbonation. Enjoyably bitter on the sides if my tongue. There is a light foaminess that coasts my mouth which leaves a pony aftertaste.

O: A very well made West Coat IPA. I would definitely buy again. With the distinct flavor, I could optically pick this one out of line z

Serving type: can

03-14-2013 02:40:04 | More by Cubatobaco

HairOfTh3Dog

Oregon

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

As far as the look goes on this one, it looks kinda copper as I stare down into the can. Its a caldera baby, celebrate the can and drink from it.

This is a nice smelling ipa, moderate amount of pine, and citrus. Smells like cascade hops.

As far as taste its not scrape your tongue hoppy, but it is definitely flavorful. Has the bitterness in the corners of your mouth feeling. Its piney and floral.

Mouthfeel is bubbly and a bit dry.

Overall a very well rounded session ipa.

Serving type: can

05-01-2009 06:42:26 | More by HairOfTh3Dog

dlbrockmiller

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Popped the top and was greeted with the most wonderful pineapple/grapefruit smell. It poured a bright clear amber color. The taste was even better than the smell, pineapple grapefruit caramel pine in a can. Thought it had great depth and balance, really good beer and will definitely buy again!

Serving type: can

01-20-2012 18:53:51 | More by dlbrockmiller

pigdog

California

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

a-light, bubbly head, decent retention

s-nice citrus, slightly hoppy aroma

t-nice citrus bitterness, with some grapefruit lingering on the tongue, still quite balanced.

m-feels great, decent carbonation with a fairly bitter, dry finish.

d-easy to drink, perfect IPA for weekend bbqs with a nice balance but some hoppy and citrus bittnerness to keep you goin.

o-definitely a beer I keep on hand regularly. Especially when I don't feel like cracking open a bomber, this fits the bill perfectly, plus what's not to love about how friendly cans are to mini fridges.

Serving type: can

09-12-2010 17:56:45 | More by pigdog

Somebody_Else

California

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Drunk straight out of the can so IDK about the appearance.

The smell was very light. Kind of lager-y from cold to end-o'-can.

The taste started out fairly nondescript, straight out of the refrigerator, but as with most IPAs, the flavor opened up quite a bit after a few minutes at room temperature. There was an odd cheese-like component to the taste -- sort of an aged Swiss or Gruyere. I see where another reviewer mentioned a "butter" flavor so I don't feel completely out of touch with this observation. Odd but not bad at all.

The mouthfeel was great and the best part of this beer was the lingering hops oils on the tongue. Great after-taste!

Overall, not a first pick, but a reasonable sailing bear as it's in cans and only 6.1% ABV so suitable for drinking all day on a summer's sail. That cheese flavor would make me hesitant to give to a newbie as an introduction to hoppy IPAs but other than that, pretty durn good!

Serving type: can

03-30-2013 20:31:41 | More by Somebody_Else

beerdedking

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into DFH pint glass. Looks like a nice fresh hop IPA, such as Celebration. Murky orange/copper poured to a half inch creamy head. Love the lacing as it disappears down my gullet...

Aroma wafting toward me reveals all the IPA scents: citrus, pine, with a hint of rising bread.

Many of the previous reviews state a syrupy consistency, and I agree it is syrupy, however, if your a DIPA lover, you won't mind it a bit. Chugs more like a DIPA which I love.
You'll get whacked up front with a nice citrus profile before a light sweet malt and lingering bitterness take over. The bitterness is just right leading you to raise your glass in another slug creating a nice drinkabillity which many IPAs do not nail.

Carbo is a touch soft which is my only knock here, but like I said the feel is heavier like a DIPA

Overall, this is a great IPA and will absolutely have again...

Serving type: can

01-10-2012 23:26:42 | More by beerdedking

Pelican5

California

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

Poured from a 12 oz can | $10 for sixer

Turned onto this this by my local WF beer guy, thanks Trev!

A : clear, reddish, light copper

S : apricot, pineapple, citrus, some pine.

T : Full flavored and well rounded, west coast with a tad more malt backbone. Hop bitter front and finish, grapefruit and more citrus, dried apricot middle.

Overall : Juicy and well balanced. A bit more of a midwest flavor than some of the other west coast ipas. Every sip leaves me wanting more. Very, very nice IPA and is in my current rotation along with Sculpin, Inversion, Red Chair. For $10 a sixer its a no brainer. Underrated.

Cheers ~

Serving type: can

04-24-2012 03:44:37 | More by Pelican5

Primitivechef

Maryland

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

A - Pours a nice amber color with a average cream head with some lacing.

S - Nice Pine and Grapefruit hops but also some sweet malt on the end.

T - Flavor was thinner than some IPA's but still nice with the Pine and Citrus, nice malt finish.

M - Nice IPA medium body with a average carbonation. Smooth feel.

D - Pretty Good. The best canned IPA I have had so far. I am sure it will be great this coming summer on a canoe trip. Like the can, easy to carry.

Serving type: can

11-21-2009 23:39:38 | More by Primitivechef

Crabbicuss

Maryland

3.85/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz can to a pint glass.

A - Deep Amber color with a healthy head and most decent retention. Thick spotted lacing climbing down various sides of the glass.

S - A large upfront hit of citrus with some pine notes hiding behind some sweet caramel malt essence.

T - Right of the bat, a major hit of citrus with a follow up of some semi-sweet flavor (pineapple). Mildly sweet malty transition to the finish with a late note of Piney Hop(s) and lemon.

M - Nice body, slightly above average in carbonation, but seems to be missing a little in the transition from introduction to finishing edge, I suppose the "carryover."

D - By far the best canned IPA I've had to date, especially for the price. Certainly drinkable and pretty hoppy. I like the start and finish but was left wanting just a little more in the middle. Overall a pretty decent beer and easy to enjoy as a "session" beer.

My prescription: Get it if you can and try a few. It runs with the common theme of West Coast IPA's though IMHO it's just slightly weaker in overall flavors and finish.

Serving type: can

02-08-2011 04:19:34 | More by Crabbicuss

kevinmkirk

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I stopped in at one of my favorite gourmet beer spots on my way home from work the other night; low and behold, I spot an IPA in a can. In a CAN!

If I hadn't had two, I wouldn't be able to report on color. I simply had to experience this straight from the can. Why? To me, canned beer is typically reserved for frat boys, red necks, and those who live under a bridge, so the inherent conundrum of a can to my lips with a tasty IPA flowing across my palate was too hard to resist. As confusing as it was, I must say, it was worth it!

Caldera IPA - can #2

Nice burned orange color with a good two-finger head thanks to a quick pour. Good lacing all the way through to the bottom of the glass.

Strong floral hop, lots of citrus on the nose.

Very tasty! I think I'll have another.

Serving type: can

09-02-2007 00:47:03 | More by kevinmkirk

seans86

Maryland

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

Nice light orange/amber color with lots of head. Big pine and grapefruit nose that screams bright hop flavor will follow, and it does. Taste follows the nose with big grapefruit notes that are followed by tangerine, pine, and maybe a slight pineapple at the end. Malt is light, slightly sweet, and lets the hops shine through very nicely. Not aggressively bitter but bitter enough to make you sip it a little slower, not offensive at all. Very drinkable, nicely priced, and always available where I am, making this one a regular for me.

Serving type: can

05-21-2011 18:23:14 | More by seans86

JClarson

4.24/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A- Nice off white head. Rich coppery color.

S- Sweet pine, melon, and candy.

T- Hops smack you in the face on first sip and follow through on the finish. The sweetness from the aroma doesn't carry through to the palate as I expected it would.

M- Dry and delicious with a hoppy aftertaste. Slight sweetness after licking the lips.

O- Wonderful brew. Classic west coast style IPA. Hops are prevalent and last all the way to the last drop. If you consider yourself an "IPA guy" this is a must try. Very hard to find by me on the east coast.

Serving type: can

02-11-2013 22:14:39 | More by JClarson

Akfan

California

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

I like the 12 oz can size. Sometimes 22oz is just more than I want.

Pour was smooth, moderate carbonation. Gold in color. Hazy.

Very nice fruity, hoppy smell. Enjoy the grapefruit smell while raising to your nose.

Taste was very well balanced for IPA. Hoppy but not out of control. Very nice mouth feel, which makes this a very drinkable beer. White head, with a moderate lacing. This is a good beer. I would describe it as a, "very drinkable" beer. Enjoy!

Serving type: can

05-04-2010 03:52:09 | More by Akfan

laymansbeerfan

Minnesota

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

Poured into a snifter. Got this from a great BA, thanks Scotchboy!

A: Pours to a nice amber color, with around an inch of white fluffy head.

S: Has a nice citrus nose, with a little malt poking through.

T: It's got a nice grapefruit-citrus flavor profile, with the bitter hop bite on the back. Malt comes slightly out at the tail end. Not super bitter, but a nice bitter bite.

MF: Carbonation is pretty solid, with a drying finish to it. A little on the slick side too.

O: Very nice IPA from Oregon, definitely enjoy the hop profile on this one. Daniel hooked me up with a treat, thanks again bud!

Serving type: can

04-25-2012 02:18:51 | More by laymansbeerfan