Caldera IPA - Caldera Brewing Company

daliandragon

North Carolina

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I picked this up today over at The Beer Dispensary in Apex. It has been a rainy, cruddy day and I just felt like picking up an IPA or four, so here we are. I have never heard of this Oregon brewer so I'm hoping for the best.

I love the color; an electric orange with a cloudy, almost opaque body. The head dies a little early for my tastes and the lacing doesn't look exceptional. The nose is very fruity for an IPA, with grapefruit, pineapple, and the ubiquitous pine.

Plenty of flavor up front here, mostly of the withering hop variety, but something seems a little off and the finish seems to fizzle rather than pop. The mouthfeel is thick and (I never say this) could probably benefit from additional carbonation. Not bad at all, but slightly disappointing. Definitely glad I gave it a try, however.

Serving type: can

01-21-2012 22:56:44 | More by daliandragon

beerbully

New Jersey

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

Poured into a pint glass

A-Clear copper with a substantial head rising to the top of the head. Head quickly dissipates leaving a rather thick lacing

S-Faint citrus notes, somewhat bready, and floral, some sweetness

T-grapefruit, some mild bubble gum sweetness, taste is stronger than the nose a bit of a dry lemony finish

M-A bit dry, thin and crisp,

O-good solid IPA. very drinkable, good flavor with the convenience of a can

Serving type: can

01-21-2012 20:16:00 | More by beerbully

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

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Great looking, clear, dark gold brew with a thick and fluffy cream-colored head. Sticky lacing. Nose is pure pineapple heaven, sweet, juicy, and citric. Smells just about perfect for my tastes.

Flavor follows the nose. A pineapple bomb with a bit more assertive bitterness than detected in the aroma. Subtle sting of onion and saltiness beneath it all. Slightly creamy, medium body with lively carbonation. Lingering aftertaste of pineapple and a little aspirin bitterness. As it warms a soapy, skunky note emerges - skunk weed that is, not "skunked beer."

Holy crap this is a good IPA, I'm going back for more than just the single can I picked up today. Really up my alley - strong fruity flavor, good bitterness that doesn't overwhelm everything, a touch of sweetness with the malt held in check really well. As it opens up dank, resinous, weedy flavors and smells emerge. A pothead's chronic/kind-bud IPA if there ever was one.

Serving type: can

01-17-2012 16:31:14 | More by tobelerone

musicforairports

New York

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

Can into a Sam Adams pint glass. No date on the can.

Golden/copper and clear. Nice head. Some lacing.

Smell is peach-like fruit, pine, grass, caramel.

Flavor is earthy and fruity hops, peach, citrus, some pine. Malt backbone is noticeable but unobtrusive. Quite balanced and not terribly hoppy.

Thick mouthfeel, feels much heavier than the ABV, more like DIPA.

Overall this is a tasty IPA. I wish it were dated, because I'd like to know how close to fresh this is. But it's a good balanced IPA, with a nice hop character and sturdy malt backbone.

Serving type: can

01-16-2012 05:17:57 | More by musicforairports

BeerLover99

New Jersey

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

A: dirty orange/shiny body, finger white head,
excellent lacing

S: big grapefruit, peach, pine,

T: grapefruit/peach, big earthy pine,
long slow bitter/sticky finish

M: med body, oily/big sticky mouth

O: Another fine Caldera beer, great
everyday. Big flavor American IPA.
Will get again+highly recommend.

WELL DONE, PICK SOME UP!

Serving type: can

01-11-2012 16:17:49 | More by BeerLover99

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

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

Finatic

Florida

3.53/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz can poured into a chilled Founders pint glass.

A: Pours a dark orange color with a nice white, frothy head that recedes very slowly. Excellent lacing retention throughout the glass.

S: Huge tropical notes up front with grapefruit being the main scent. I also can smell traces of pine and some orange and malt.

T: I taste more orange than the scent gives off. Not as much pine and or grapefruit as the scent had suggested. This beer has a massive sweet malt backbone.

M: A bit too syrupy for my liking, medium bodied and it has nice carbonation.

O: Not what I look for in an IPA and quite honestly for the price not worthy of an elite IPA status IMO.

Serving type: can

01-08-2012 14:22:16 | More by Finatic

vicsju1991

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12 oz can poured into duvel snifter
A - pours a deep amber, very lively, large white head that stays for a bit, very good looking beer
S - huge citrus notes, absolutely amazing smelling beer
T - amazing citrusy grapefruits and oranges amazing IPA, absolutely, the bitterness is perfectly balanced
M - very smooth, creamy, easy to drink
O - the best IPA I have ever had, absolutely amazing beer

Serving type: can

01-07-2012 23:54:16 | More by vicsju1991

dbossman

Nebraska

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Deep apricot hue with a huge, beautiful, sudsy cream-colored head; lacing is great

S: Lots of wonderful citrus from the hops: peach, mango, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, and tea leaves with a slightly grassy and grainy malt undertone

T: Hops are a touch more muted than aromas indicated but still plenty of citrus, tea leaves, pine, and weed

F: Quite creamy upfront and finishing pretty well--though a touch thin

O: A nice hop-forward IPA in a can, which you can never get enough of; something I'd like to try even fresher and something I will definitely come back to

Serving type: can

01-04-2012 06:14:18 | More by dbossman

HOPPYKC

Kansas

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

Can poured into a pint glass. Don't know the dting on this but have seen it at my bottle store for a while now and don't know if it's been siting around for awhile. Nice just over and inch head. White. Thick. Heavy malt. Fruit. Apple. Pineapple. Slight pine. Transparent. Wouldnt try again. Not bad but expected a little more for the price. Overall not too bad.

Serving type: can

01-02-2012 04:14:18 | More by HOPPYKC

TheFightfan1

Pennsylvania

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

Poured into a tulip. Color is of a lighter golden with a fluffy off white colored heading. A little hazy in color but does have a nice lively action look to it.

Nose was toned down a bit for me. More of malty caramel sweetness hits the nostrils followed with a subtle touch of grapefruit and grass.

Taste was extremely sweet at first of a heavy walloping malty gooey-ness of a backbone. Nice bitterness, grassy and zesty taste. Finishes with a hop grind makes me think of pure hop oil.

Mouth is medium bodied,good carbonation, a little bit on the thick syrupy side. Nice kiss of stickiness on the lips from the hop residue.

A solid IPA. A bit heavy for my liking when I think of IPA but for the malt IPA lovers this is your baby.

Serving type: can

01-01-2012 02:07:48 | More by TheFightfan1

drewba

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to mages64 & psiweaver for hitting a perma-want in the partners BIF!

A – Orangey-rust with a fantastic fluffy cream colored head. Great head retention which hangs around for a good 10 minutes. There are two fairly prominent floaties in here; not sure if they're hops, or pieces of Oregon.

S – The aroma is a little subdued, but what I'm getting out of it, I like. Lots of really earthy pinecones and trees, orange marmalade, light grass and a fair amount of caramel dipped bread.

T – I don't see a date on the can, but I think this might be on the older side. BUT, being just over the hill doesn't stop this from being delicious. The hop profile is on the mild side, but maintains for the entire taste with fresh cut grass, lemon soda, barely bitter grapefruit and spruce. The malt that backs all of that up comes out in toasted nuts, lightly sweet caramel, hearty rye bread. There is a really nice balance going on here – while I would like the hops to stand up a little more, the malt profile is still second fiddle. But even though the malt characteristics take a backseat to the hops, the nut+caramel bread combo is fantastic.

M – No problems here – medium bodied, a touch on the syrupy side with an understated carbonation pop.

O – Easily a beer I could drink by the six pack. Also would be good for a newer ipa drinker who need some malt balance and isn't bitter to the point of no return.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 21:51:07 | More by drewba

coldriver

Texas

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

12 oz bottle poured into Sam Adams glass. Good head and lacing, pours a deep amber. Aroma is citrus piney hops, with a bit of toffee. Taste has a great hop profile, bitter piney yet plenty of flavorful citrus fruit as well. Dry finish, medium viscosity. Overall a very nice west coast style IPA.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 20:04:13 | More by coldriver

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

Rhettroactive

Virginia

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

From 12oz can to Bruges hybrid glass on 11/20/11
*From notes

A: A lovely darker shade of amber-orange. A good pour yields a two finger head and decent lacing. From the looks of things, this is filtered.

S: Resinous, a bit dank and fruity.

T: Piney, yet there's some tropical fruit which kicks around the walls of my mouth. Golden toasted grains and some earthiness wrap things up.

M: Extremely creamy. It really feels luscious.

O: Caldera's IPA is yet another solid entry into one of my favorite styles. It ain't at the top of a prestigious list, but it's certainly one I've got qualms quaffing. This is one I've reached for before, and will again. If you see (fresh) cans of this, do yourself a favor and check it out.

Serving type: can

12-16-2011 00:37:29 | More by Rhettroactive

HosP

Indiana

3.4/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this as an extra from Rhettroactive. Thanks buddy!

A- Pours nice deep golden shade. Bubbly white head, clings to the edge of the glass with bits of lace sticking.

S- Big burst of orange and mango aromas. Tough to even pick anything out over the great smells coming from it. A little sweet malt at the end.

T- Not what I was expecting after the nose. Some citrus hop flavors up front but very subdued. Sweet malts quickly take over and mix into a sweet almost tangy taste. Where did all the juicy hop flavors I thought were coming go to?

M- Lighter side of medium body. Little carbonation. Very mild bitterness. Kind of metallic after taste.

O- It started off so great. Fizzled out with the mediocre taste. Was really wanting big juicy hop flavors, but just weren't there. Thanks for the try Rhett!!

Serving type: can

12-15-2011 03:50:48 | More by HosP

TheGordianKnot

Tennessee

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to robbrandes got this extra. Poured into tulip glass...

A- Dark for an IPA. Bronze/copper color with a rocky pale cream head. Sticky lacing remains on the glass and is slowly revealed as the head sinks into the beer.

S- Citrus forward. Lemons and limes, fruit Smarties, and grapefruit. Aroma is a little lighter than I remember, and not much malt behind the hops in nose.

T/M- A slight chalkiness upfront on the flavor before the citrus comes through. Grapefruit and grapes pop prominently. Bitterness is all on the finish, with a nice moderate IBU level that could be about 10-15 higher per my preference. Alcohol announces it's presence, but not over powering. Body is medium, leaning towards heavy. Carbonation is fairly low, leaving this slick and borderline slimy in the mouth.

O- I like this beer now, but I love it when I get it at the bar and don't analyze it as much. Has solid properties, but nothing that makes it stand out against other competitors. Above average, but it gets pushed aside at it's price when Sweetwater, Yazoo, and others are on the same shelf...

Serving type: can

12-06-2011 16:23:40 | More by TheGordianKnot

comfortablynumb1

California

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

12oz can into The Bruery snifter...

Really like the can on this one. Has a psychedelic feel to it with all the bright colors...

A - Pours copper with a two finger off white head that dissipates at a fairly hasty pace. There is some sticky lacing that coats the glass...

S - Pretty docile. Citrus hops, and a hint of caramel...

T - Caramel up front followed by grapefruit, and a hint of orange. Finishes with a smooth hop bitterness. Abv is well hidden...

M - Medium bodied with a decent amount of carbonation. Super smooth...

O - This one isn't overly complex, or a hop bomb, but it is a smooth well balanced brew. Definitely a solid session beer, and something I will be drinking again in the near future...

Cheers...

Serving type: can

11-30-2011 22:24:37 | More by comfortablynumb1

tdm168

North Carolina

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

Pours a hazy orangish amber with 1/4" of dense, foamy, white head that has great retention. The nose has notes of bready malt, pineapple, and grapefruit with a faint flora aroma. The taste is bready and malty up front with a nice blend of hop characters ranging from pineapple, grapefruit-citrus, and faint pine. The flavors are very well blended. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, well carbonated, and very refreshing.

This is delicious and very easily drinkable. I could put away a lot of these especially since the bitterness from the hops isn't overpowering like in some IPAs so no diminishing returns here.

Serving type: can

11-17-2011 23:55:20 | More by tdm168

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - hazey orange in color with a rocky white head which quickly dissipates to a thin film.

S - the nose is rich with hops. piney and fruity. sweet caramel malt notes and some cherry esters.

T - clean, lightly sweet malt upfront followed by some piney bitterness and a long cherry/sweetish finish.

M - smooth, creamy, a touch watery and a full zippy carbonation.

O - nice IPA with lots of piney notes but could've had a bit more bitterness on the tongue.

Serving type: can

11-10-2011 05:27:02 | More by Teleweizen2

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

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

12oz can poured into a pint

An amber colored body with some orange highlights. A firm two finger cap with very good retention and sticky lace all over the glass.

The aroma is bright. Ruby red grapefruit, pine resin and floral hops on top of a sweet caramel malt bed. Slightly more hop forward than malt forward on the nose.

A little bit more of a balance here. It's like east coast meets west coast in one can. Big grapefruit and pine with sturdy caramel holding down the back end.

Sticky and resiny on the feel, medium body with good carbonation.

This guy has some nice attributes. Some bold hop flavors and aromas, but they strike a good balance with the malt.

Serving type: can

11-02-2011 15:43:48 | More by ColForbinBC

bosox941827

North Carolina

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

Picked this one up at the Beer Dispensary in Apex, NC - only place in this area that sells it. Poured into a 0.5L Ayinger glass ("Echte Bierkultur Geniessen") from a 12oz. can. Had a sip of this one golfing and had to give it a proper review.
A - nice, slightly hazy dark orange/amber color. A nice rocky head forms off the pour and a thin layer clings to the glass and hangs around all the way down.
S - Nice hoppy nose off this one, with some maltiness mixed in.
T - Funny how your brain needs to adjust when drinking out of a can; first sip of this was during a round of golf, right out of the can and my first thought was, "wow, this is GOOD beer" because you're expecting something thin and watered down. A "proper" tasting confirms my first sip; poured into a glass, this is a damn good, drinkable IPA. Nice hint of sweetness up front which is quickly run over by a nice rindy, bittery-y flavor which hangs around on the tongue for quite a while between sips.
M - This drinks pretty smooth; carbonation is pretty low but the bitterness hangs around for a while (in a good way).
Damn solid IPA; highly recommend grabbing it if you spot it somewhere (especially you East Coasters).

Serving type: can

10-29-2011 02:24:13 | More by bosox941827

doopydoogle

Tennessee

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

A- Good copper amber with a head that lingers.

S - Pine, tropical fruit, and caramely malt

T - A balanced IPA. The hops give it a good fruity and bitter punch, but the caramel malts really give the most character and are present and linger throughout the whole experience.

M - Decent carbonation, not too carbonated, and smooth mouthfeel.

O - A highly sessionable and pleasant IPA!

Serving type: can

10-26-2011 23:57:51 | More by doopydoogle