Caldera IPA - Caldera Brewing Company

RoyalT

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - This is a shiny bronze in color with a modest head that showed good retention and left some nice lattice work on the inside of my glass.

Smell - The hops are deep, rich, and complex here and quickly surpass the good malty base of this ale. There's a beautiful orange citrus here that isn't too sweet but more like the aroma of a fine orange liqueur. The stiff pine gives a contrasting compliment to the citrus and a bit of lemongrass to complete the puzzle.

Taste - The big malt base, almost like a DIPA, comes on much stronger at the taste and is amazingly able to hold its own against these huge, complex hops. The pine from the nose steps back a bit on the tongue but otherwise this ale tastes like it smells.

Mouthfeel - This is a solid medium-bodied with some large bitterness that is tempered by the light toffee sweetness of the malts. The carbonation is rightly light and overall this IPA has a terrific mouthfeel.

Drinkability - This is a big, complex IPA that seems like a double until you notice that the ABV is just slightly over 6%.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2009 01:58:16 | More by RoyalT

dedrinker

Kansas

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I love the color of this beer. Can. It feels good to look at it. Smells like a can with some sticky green herbals inside.

It tastes like sticky green goodness with just a pinch of grapefruit.

medium bodied, with mellow carbonation that helps tickle the grainy and lemony finish on the roof of the mouth and middle of the tongue.

This guy at work gave me one, and this other guy stole it, then the first guy gave me another one. Boy am I glad.

Serving type: can

12-26-2009 05:27:16 | More by dedrinker

nc41

North Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Now available in NC, and now I can see it and smell it the score went up. A really great canned IPA for the pool /beach or really anywhere. I also like Avery IPA, and Modus in cans, but I would have to give this brew a leg up on either, a little more fruit and hops than the others and at 6.1 ABV really drinkable. Not terribly bitter either, so it would makea great IPA for anyone who wants to step up ftom PA's to IPA's.

Also found the last sixer in Myrtle Beach on the shelf, and what a great surprise. Not only the only the only canned IPA available but a damn tasty one, Drank it out of the can so I have no idea on what it looked like, smelled like or any kinda head retention, but I loved it. I also had some Modus, but Caldera was definitely a little more fruity. IMO a real find, and a real solid A kinda brew. Would have scored higher if not being guzzled at the beach which knocked down the appearance and nose, Drink ability is good but the ABV in the killer heat had to be respected although not a heavyweight in this dept

Serving type: can

07-18-2010 21:18:00 | More by nc41

richkrull

Wisconsin

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I got this one from SuperNova777 in my poker winnings. Thanks a lot bud.

Poured a great copper color with quite a bit of big white head on it. Decent lacing as well. Smell is full of citrus and hops. Taste is very good - great hop flavor. Mouthfeel is light-medium. This beer goes down very smooth. Really glad I got a chance to try this beer. I really enjoyed it.

Serving type: can

04-20-2011 23:30:07 | More by richkrull

unionturf

North Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This has recently hit the NC market...in reading reviews I' puzzled at the reviews. This is an AWESOME IPA...simply awesome.

Appearance is great, cloudy with a very decent 2" head. Smell is fresh hops and malt...more hops than malt.

Taste is mostly all grapefruit hops...I love it. Right next to G'Night (Gordon) as the best beer from a can...I gave my son a can and even his collage buddies who don't like IPA's said it was amazing.

The price point is a little high ($13 for a sixer) in NC but I love this brew.

Serving type: can

08-07-2011 04:51:50 | More by unionturf

MacQ32

South Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a nice translucent darker orange with a nice finger of off white/light caramel colored head, poured ~20+ minutes ago, still has a nice layer of head. Lacing is dense. Awesome

S - Lots of citrusy hop aromas, a little bit of malty caramel sweetness. Grapefruit and oranges dominate

T - Really bold, bitter and citrusy. Simple but very well balanced

M - Medium bodied at a warmish 50-55 degrees. When cold its somewhere between light and medium bodied. Refreshing, drinkable, nicely carbonated

O - This is a great IPA, can't believe I've never noticed this one before, definitely worth grabbing from time to time

Serving type: can

01-11-2012 02:45:24 | More by MacQ32

vashooter

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Serving : 12 ounce can from Total wine served in a tulip (large one)

Appearance : Beautiful clear dark honey color, about what I would expect from an IPA, nice 2 fingers of head when poured into glass subsiding to a small half inch of sticky head that seems to want to hang out with me.

Smell: Is not quite as hoppy as a BIG IPA but lots of caramel blending, hop notes are somewhat subdued as the beer warms up but more hop nose when first poured.

Taste: Initially straight malt, sweet but, lots of hop character that is not overpowering or rude. No hint of Diacetyl or vegetable notes in my sample. Actually this beer is well made and well balanced, not as large as a lot of IPA's that rely on brutish hop levels with out good malt balance.I actually think there might be some demarra sugar in this brew.

Mouthfeel: Actually reminds me of a cross between an ESB and a IPA, the sweetness is there but the hops are there also, just not in your face hops. Warming to the tongue with a little bitterness in the finish. Wonderfully balanced beer. Someone put a lot of love into this recipe.

Overall: I give it a 4.5, However this can become one of my favorites very easily. Cheers

Serving type: can

01-18-2013 06:26:11 | More by vashooter

ElGordo

Oregon

4.35/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap at the Horse Brass Pub in Portland. Pours a slightly hazy golden color topped by a beautiful creamy white head. Nice, creamy lacing all the way down the glass. Nose of fresh, spicy hops and a touch of light sweet malt. Palate is redolent of spicy hops, light sweet malt, and notes of pine, black pepper, grass, and just a hint of bready sweetness. Body is absolutely perfect - rich, creamy, and without the syrupy character that many stronger IPAs tend to carry. Man, I chose the right one here. I'd drink this every day if it were available where I live.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2006 20:53:32 | More by ElGordo

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

Chelsea1905

Washington

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

Had this at the 27 Public House in Spokane, brought in a can and poured into a pint glass.

Poured a nice copper/ burnt orange. nice half inch white head that laced well for most of the pint.

Smelled like dried apricot and hops, hint of malt in the background in teh aftermath

Tasted like it smelled, very nice balance of hops and malts, with dried fruit in there too.

Drank 2 cans very easily, and a nice smooth mouthfeel. Total suprise, and a good find

Serving type: can

12-15-2008 04:04:22 | More by Chelsea1905

SpecialK088

Missouri

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

Poured from a can into a a Chouffe Flute

A-Very deep nice amber/dark copper laces thick and sticky down the glass, very sexy looking in the glass.

S-very floral bitter hop smell. Grapefruit notes very citrusy.

T-Much like the nose great bitterness in the front middle and back. Has a nice sweet malt quality in the middle, almost like a sweeter orange flavor very subtle but adds alot.

M-Medium body near perfect on the carbonation.

D-Only reason this is not a 5 is the price everything else about this beer on this section is flawless.

Serving type: can

04-26-2009 02:40:47 | More by SpecialK088

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

Beerenauslese

California

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

Pours a deep gold with a 2 finger head that dissipates to a fine layer, leaving lots of sticky lacing on the glass.

Floral hoppy aromas, salty biscuits, and a whiff of ginger.

Malty biscuit flavor, then a strong taste of bitter greens/green pepper, with a lingering grapefruit finish. Hops are a bit numbing on the tongue.

Body is light and the carbonation is enough to give this a moderately creamy mouthfeel.

Eminently drinkable beer, for those who like their IPAs with a bitter green hop taste.

Serving type: can

09-25-2010 01:13:13 | More by Beerenauslese

haddon

Kentucky

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

pours a dark golden color with large white frothy head. nice carbonation bubbles released throughout. lots of lacing down the nonic.

lots of hops on the nose. mostly pineapple with orange peel, spice and a very light sweet malt hint on the end.

citrus all over the place... grapefruit & pineapple. nice clean finish with a good bitter aftertaste.

medium body with a good carbonation bite. again, clean, fresh finish.

this is a really good ipa. nice hop profile that is clean and balanced. could drink this all day. Caldera hit a home run with this one. The only drawback to this one is the price. Too expensive at $13 a sixer.

Serving type: can

04-09-2011 18:17:54 | More by haddon

robbrandes

Oregon

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

always love this IPA, might as well officially review and give it it's due. poured from a 12oz can - big ups for camping-ready beer!

pours a nice, clear amber color. big-time sticky, fluffy head; recedes to a half-inch layer of fine foam which does not budge through the last drink.

smell is a delight - crazy pine and a nice toasted malt, slightly caramelized sugar notes.

taste buds are loving it - classic west-coast IPA. is it bitter? you bet! nice alcohol warmth and a tight, clean finish. this is certainly sessionable for any hophead.

love to see our local southern oregon brewery making a top-notch offering!

Serving type: can

05-03-2011 04:06:57 | More by robbrandes

JCaweinstein

Ohio

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

Poured from a can into a Sam Adams PP glass. Pours an cloudy yellow with a one finger, foamy white head, which dissipates very quickly. Some nice lacing going down the glass.

Smells of caramel malts and not picking up much of the hops in the nose but my sense of smell at the moment is not the best.

At first taste I get a little hop bitterness followed by caramel with a big piney, resinous hop finish. This is a very tasty IPA.

Medium bodied with very bold flavors. This beer leaves behind that resinous, piney hop flavor after the beer has been swallowed.

I really like this beer. It is most certainly a hop lovers delight. It's fairly low ABV could allow one to drink down a few of these in one sitting. However, the price could limit the number of times I try this, at over 16$ for a sixer.

Serving type: can

05-16-2011 01:32:32 | More by JCaweinstein

PDXHops

South Carolina

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

12 oz can, poured into a tulip.

Body is a bright see-thru amber orange with a finger of pretty fluffy off-white head. Visible stream of constant carbonation up the middle of the tulip. Retention and lacing are good

Smells tasty. Fresh squeezed OJ and grapefruit juice up front with pine in the background. Some caramel maltiness, but not enough to obscure the hops.

Really nice flavor profile. The fresh orange and grapefruity from the nose carries over and is joined by a bit of pineapple. The sweet malt backbone is fairly substantial up front, yet there's a toasty element to it as well. Steadily dries out, and pine creeps back in for a puckery and spicy finish.

Nice juicy mouthfeel. Medium yet fluffy body, moderate carbonation.

Overall impression: Excellent brew, another winner from Caldera.

Serving type: can

07-05-2009 23:44:14 | More by PDXHops

hckyfn9999

Missouri

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

Pours a slightly hazy copper color with about one and a half fingers of creamy, white colored, head that has great retention. Aroma is of caramel, grapefruit, herbal hops, and toasted grain.

This is a very hoppy beer. Lots of citrus and pine are present. A touch of caramel is in the background. There is a sharp lingering bitterness on the finish. Medium bodied and an easy drinker. A very nice IPA and its made even nice by the fact it comes in a can. Perfect for a round of golf or other outside activities.

Serving type: can

09-02-2009 00:57:40 | More by hckyfn9999

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

biggred1

Indiana

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

Reddish copper with pumpkin highlights and a dense cream and orange head of foam that leaves sticky lace on the glass. Citrusy and minty C-hops with plenty of caramely malt. It must be the can, the hop fresh flavors are off the charts with plenty of juicy grapefruit and orange backed with enough caramel malt to balance but still be hop forward. Medium bodied with prickly carbonation. A really nice session IPA.

Serving type: can

03-14-2010 19:53:39 | More by biggred1

kylehayworth

Indiana

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

A: Dark amber in color, the head was amazing. Slighly off white head, with enough retention to balance the can on it if I wanted to.

S: Lots of citrus and piney hops.

T: Wasn't sure what to expect from my first "real" can of beer. It was very well balanced. You had a good citrus and piney resin working together on this one.

M/D: It had good carbonation, the end was mildly bitter and oily.

I thought this was a great first for me.

Serving type: can

04-05-2010 18:42:28 | More by kylehayworth

bridgetowhophead

Oregon

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

Caldera's IPA is about as close to a session beer as I have found (the price tag and ABV get in the way a bit), with the perfect combination of flavor and smoothness.

A: Deep orange-amber, about as dark as you'll see an IPA. Thick, creamy 1/2 head doesn't go away. Excellent lacing. Rising bubbles.

S: Standout. Powerful citrus and pine overwhelm the nose. I could smell this beer all day.

T: Doesn't quite live up to the smell, but starts out strong and only improves as it warms. Hop bitterness is there but doesn't interfere in the least with the gorgeous grapefruit and pine flavors.

M: A slightly dry, bitter finish is the only downpoint here. While it's in the mouth, this baby is heaven.

D: As I said, this is about as eminently drinkable as a 50+ IBU, 6.1% ABV can get. I could pound three of these 12 oz. cans in a half hour without batting an eye.

Serving type: can

07-20-2010 01:50:09 | More by bridgetowhophead

merlin48

Kentucky

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

Can pours a chill hazed medium amber body with a creamy two finger beige head. Good retention and some sticky patch lace.

Bold aroma of pine and tropical citrus. Tangerine and mango come to mind. Undertones of melting caramel.

Creamy medium body is nicely carbonated. Hop resins are felt on the tongue.

Taste has a dominant pine and grapefruit rind bitterness. Solid caramel malt backbone supports the aggressive hops. Some of the tropical citrusy notes of the aroma emerge as it warms. Finishes dry and bitter.

Topnotch! Nicely balanced and very tasty.

Serving type: can

09-19-2010 16:52:46 | More by merlin48

climax

Kansas

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

The can oozed with creamy foam before I poured it. needledd to say the head was soft and creamy. It sat atop the cloudy caramel/orange body for a good amount of time before sinking. It left an excellent wall of lace, topping it all off.

The nose had a good complex hop aroma, just a tad short on intensity. Hints of pineapple, fresh tomato vines, fresh grass, and a dash of astringency and metallic twang make up the one-sided hop aroma.

The flavor is excellent. It takes what the nose started and cranks it up a notch. Passion fruit sweetness meets a bold herbal grassy profile, and the two work together great. Malt knows its roll.... the shy pale toasty backbone. The finish is bone dry with grassy bitterness.

This one is pretty dry right from the get-go. The carbonation is perfect and keeps it feeling on the light and crisp side. My mouth needs the constant reinforcement of another drink. Great IPA, out of a can!

Serving type: can

12-08-2010 01:33:27 | More by climax

bagpiper2005

Idaho

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

Pour: Light copper color with hints of red. Two and a half fingers of off-white head that sticks around for awhile and laces the glass nicely.

Smell: Strong grapefruit aroma up front. Underlying tones of pine, caramel, and slightly fruity.

Taste: Citrus and piney hops make their presence known up front, followed by a rich caramel malty character that's slightly biscuity. Some hints of tropical fruit also come through, and finishes with a huge tart grapefruit bitterness. Beautifully balanced flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium body and oily. Coats the mouth with hop oils. Pretty high carbonation. Dry finish.

Drinkability: Very smooth drinking IPA. Refreshing and delicious.

Final Notes: A delicious IPA that comes in a can. What more could you ask for? Has enough flavor for pairing against a spicy meal, but refreshing enough for tailgating, fishing/camping trips, days at the country club, and the like. A good all-around beer.

Serving type: can

01-26-2011 02:20:02 | More by bagpiper2005