Wolaver's India Pale Ale - Otter Creek Brewing / Wolaver's

smiga

New Jersey

3.59/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into .5l cylinder glass.

Appearance – Pours a beautiful lightly hazed orange-copper color with a two finger off white head.
*But compared with Dales Pale Ale - not as pretty or bright a copper. some big bubbles in head, lighter level of lacing.

Smell - More laid back and subtle than AIPAs. a blend of sweet and hop. caramel sweetness with hops, earthiness backing. A bit of sweet orange hop as well. Quite nice and very subtle.

Taste – Starts with bread mixed followed by citrus and floral/herbal arc. The herbal and floral hop intensify on back end. finishes earthy. But again, subtle like the smell. Wholesome, approachable, sessionable, not much sense of the 6.8 or esters. More calm and earthy. Refreshing aftertaste, goes well with food, in this case (grilled grass fed burgers on pretzel roll with grilled asparagus (it's spring), red pepers, mushrooms, garlic).

Mouthfeel – Hi creaminess, lo carbonation. The creaminess parallels the earthy hop, the grass. Organic!

Overall – Very original, refreshing, made in Vermont IPA. Subtle and good starter IPA. Personally I like the piney crisp complexities of Dales Pale Ale, Stone, Troegs. This one less citrus and more earthy. It is a nice break from the more traditional. Every hop head must try it. Organic! Made in Vermont!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 00:32:47 | More by smiga

mdfb79

New York

3.36/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

From 01/26/13 notes. Had on tap at Bare Burger in NYC on the LES. Served in a pint glass.

a - Pours a hazy amber orange color with one to two fingers of fluffy off white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of fruity malts, caramel malts, bready malts, citrus fruits, toasted malts, and earthy notes. Super malty in the nose; was hoping for more hops.

t - Tastes of fruity malts, citrus hops, bready malts, grains, wheat, earthy notes, and some floral notes. Again, very malts taste for an IPA; a little disappointing.

m - Medium body and low to moderate carbonation. Overall pretty easy to drink.

o - Overall not a bad beer, but a very malty IPA; I was hoping for more hops. Fruity malts throughout and some light citrus hops, Easy to drink and again, not a bad beer, but if you're looking for a hoppy IPA this isn't the one for you.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2013 18:04:54 | More by mdfb79

jifigz

Pennsylvania

2.85/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bottle poured into a pint glass.

This beer pours a slightly hazy orange color which is a little darker than other orange colored IPA's like Two-Hearted and beers similar, although it is not as dark a reddish brown color as Victory's Hop Devil. The head lingered for a while and left some lacing on the glass. The appearance looks pretty promising. The aroma is, well, hop free for the most part it seems. I smell alcohol, I smell sweet malts, and I smell strawberry twizzlers, but not hops....this smells more like an Irish Red than an IPA for sure. The flavor presents a light malty taste with a decent hop presence riding the ending. There is just enough bitterness to balance this English IPA, but I would like just a touch more of a hop profile. The MF feels pretty typical.

Overall, this beer is pretty "meh." It's okay, but this Wolaver's line is not really impressing me so far.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 15:20:44 | More by jifigz

tdm168

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - dark orangish copper with a thin, off white head that has a short retention but leaves a lot of lacing

S - very faint nose; caramel, citrus, grains

T - malty, some toast, citrus, some pine, faint bitterness

M - medium bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This is an easy to drink beer with a decent flavor. It's not very forward, but its enjoyable. I could slug a few of these with ease.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 23:58:40 | More by tdm168

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a tumbler pint, the beer is a hazy, bright, peach-copper coloring with a fluffy, white, frothy head that clings all over the glass. Aromas of subtle sweet caramel, resiny, fresh hops, and a light, citrus highlight. Smells very well balanced and very palatable. Flavors are light, with a resiny and peppery hop forward presence that is quickly followed by a light, sweet malt backbone. Much lighter flavors than the aromas lead you to believe. Very smooth and balanced, and very drinkable. Citrus highlights join the party at the end of the palate, and the blend goes right into the aftertaste, with the citrus and spicy hops holding most of the flavor profile at that point. Very tasty and well blended. Light bodied throughout, but still manages to support the flavors. Resiny, slightly bitter finish that dries the mouth. Very tasty IPA.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 02:06:04 | More by GarthDanielson

poop_brew

3.28/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - surprisingly red colored when poured but seemed to settle into more of an amber. There was little head when poured into a tulip glass
Aroma - very little off the nose in the bottle but surprisingly smooth and light citrus aroma from the glass
Taste - there was a delicate spice to the aftertaste and mild citrus hop originally
Mouthfeel - crisp, light and refreshing and not too carbonated
Overall - definitely a surprisingly tasty beer for it's organic status and I would recommend to an IPA connoisseur looking to expand their palate

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 04:21:26 | More by poop_brew

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.8/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into pint glass

Appearance – Pours a beautiful lightly hazed orange-copper color with a two finger off white head. The head has big carbonation bubbles entrapped within, which upon popping slowly over time give a lighter level of lacing.

Smell - The aroma is a blend of sweet and hop. A nice caramel sweetness acts as a base with hop aromas of a heavy floral and earthy hop smell. With these aromas is also a very light amount of a sweet orange hop as well. Quite nice.

Taste – The taste begins with a bready flavor mixed with a light citrus and floral/herbal smell. The herbal and floral hop intensify and drown out the citrus as the taste goes on. Also as the taste advances the lighter sweetness that was present upfront decreases as well. More toward the end of the taste a large earthy hop flavor comes to the tongue. The earthy, when mixed with the other hop flavors leaves a bitter, but yet somewhat sweet flavor on the tongue as some citrus sweetness comes to the taste as well. The aftertaste these flavors leave on the tongue is quite interesting.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the above average side in terms of creaminess with a carbonation level that is just below average. The creaminess really accentuates the earthy hop nicely, although a slightly higher carbonation level may have been nice for the other hop flavors.

Overall – It is actually quite different then the “more standard” ~ 6-7 % abv IPA. Not nearly as citrus and much more earthy. It is a nice break from the more traditional and is well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 00:47:49 | More by Darkmagus82

MadScientist

New York

3.53/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: A slightly hazy light copper color pours with a good head stand. the head is a persistant creamy and rock off-white head.

S: Citrus and pineapple hops aroma with a low grassy note dominate the aroma. There is some malt and light orange-like fruity ester.

T: There is good hops bitterness but the hops and malt flavors are muted. A toasty and biscuty malt with a touch of sweetness support an assertive hops bitterness and moderately-strong hops flavors of citrus and pineapple. There is a light orange ester, no diacetyl.

M: Medium bodied and moderately-strong carbonation with a slight prickle on the middle of the tongue. A light alcohol warmth.

O: A pretty decent IPA with a nice hops flavor that unfortunately isn't to lively. I'm hoping this is a result of not being all that fresh because if the flavors poped it would be an outstanding beer. There is a bit of astringency, while not that bad, that could be reduced by using a high alpha acid hop variety.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 02:49:12 | More by MadScientist

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

2.93/5  rDev -17.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a nice orange copper with an off-white head - good retention and lacing.

Not a lot in the nose grainy malt and sour citrus.

Taste goes from malt to a grassy bitter lemon rind. Not really that appealing. This one for me is a thumbs down. Will not try this again.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 16:40:57 | More by Chickenhawk9932

magine

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

Pours a hazy copper with an off white fluffy head. Sheen layer remains as the head, really nice lace clings all the way down. Good looks.

Brew smells of earthy and floral hops followed by some sweet malts. Good nose.

Brew has good smoothness up front, has some mild peppering in the middle, more so in the lingering bitter finish. Resiny and bittering as you drink. Nice malts help balance this one out to add to some great sessionability for the non hop heads. Good hops here and nice sweet malts. Nice full bodied brew here. Really a very nice ipa here.

Really nice brew here; I really like this one. Case worthy sessionable stuff here. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 01:03:33 | More by magine

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.85/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From the 12 fl oz bottle stamped: 32960151712. Sampled on June 9, 2012. The pour is a slightly cloudy medium to dark amber with a foamy beige head that lingers. The aroma is rather hop-free but I get a nice sweet malt note along with a clean, crisp feel. Overall mellow on the nose. The body is light to medium but leaning more to medium. OK, the hops announce themselves with much vigor as early as the first sip. It is moderately bitter toward the end. This is a decent enough IPA.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 22:03:04 | More by puboflyons

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.69/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

In a pint glass:

A: hazy orange colored body with a one finger white head that died within thirty seconds. There was barely any lacing left and very little carbonation was seen rising.

S: some light pine and hops but there really wasn't much there.

T: sweet yet spicy blend that tingled in my mouth, not bad. The pine and hops came out with some lighter fruits in the taste.

M: medium with a good smoothness. It had a moderate carbonation in the mouth.

O: this was a decent brew. I'm pretty sure I would have this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 00:06:05 | More by kangarooAdam59

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.73/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big white long lasting head sits above a not quite clear honey golden colored beer.

Sour grains and little bitter hops aroma on this medium bodied beer.

A light sweetish hops taste with a light bitter aftertaste.

An ok, but lesser IPA, grab yourself some Broken Halo instead.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2012 22:19:22 | More by LXIXME

tlazaroff

Virginia

3.35/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I get no aroma off of this whatsoever. Not even a hint of anything. The only reason why Aroma didn't get a score of 1 is because it doesn't smell bad.. it just doesn't smell like anything.

Hazy honey color to the eye with a half-finger off-white, almost light khaki head. Foam stability is nice but offers little to no lacing. This looks like your average beer.

Nice sweetness upfront like candied fruit - but not nasty like it. It follows with a nice subtle bitterness that is smooth, and static throughout. I get a little grapefruit, caramel, and orange. A touch of chocolate too. Very interesting indeed, in a good way!

Moderate carbonation and body, smooth mouthfeel, and easy to drink. Overall I would say this is a very good beer!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 00:55:00 | More by tlazaroff

SaCkErZ9

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Home2Suites "pint" glass. Beer is cloudy and hazy and golden amber in color with a rocky yet slightly thin white head of about one finger in size. There is some decent retention and the lacing is quite substantial.

Aroma has a bit of Lemon pledge in it. Floral and fruity with some maltiness, which I dont mind. Solid malt backbone without being too sweet or caramelly or cloying.

Flavor gamut runs the same as the aroma, pretty much. Love the bitterness. More fruity than anything; less citrus or earthiness. I like the change of pace. Most IPAS are overly citrusy or piney but this one lies on the fruity/floral side, which I like. Bitterness is very well in check without being too cloying. Very nice indeed.

Perhaps I have palate fatigue from all of the heavily hopped West Coast and piney IPA's that this one was a welcomed changed. Very well balanced, easily drinkable, not too English. Suits me well at the moment.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 23:56:19 | More by SaCkErZ9

JWU

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz. bottle poured into a tumbler glass.

A- a hazy yellow with orange/amber highlights. Thick white head, with a little lacing

S- floral/earthy hops with some fruity sweetness.

T- halfway between an English IPA and an American IPA. The malt base isn't as big or brash as some American IPA's, but certainly balances the earthy and citric hop profile. The fruity (apple/apricot/orange) component is the interesting part of this brew.

M- medium bodied, and overall nothing much to say.

O- good, but not great. Certainly different from the litany of west coast IPA's out there.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 02:10:44 | More by JWU

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

3.55/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle purchased at Market Basket in Somersworth. Murky yellow-amber body with a half inch of off-white head. Grass, grapefruit, and lemon waft from the aroma. Lemon, pine, and grass with slight grapefruit notes comprise the flavor. Light bodied with moderate carbonation. Not bad.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 02:21:14 | More by MrHurmateeowish

thain709

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Poured a semi-hazy, burnt orange body...the head was white in color and stood about two fingers...it stuck around for a while to become a wispy cap...some lacing

S - The nose shows a lot of sweetness, and it's not in the form of hops...sweet caramel and toffee with bready malt...hops are minimal

T - Again there is a sweetness, but this time the hops can shine through a little more...initial flavors are of caramel and toffee...the middle rounds out the sweet flavors with biscuit and bready malts...they add some body to the beer as well...the hops come through at the end and add a decent bitterness...they are piney in flavor which accounts for the big, sticky bitterness

M - Medium bodied...decent carbonation...a sticky bitterness

O - This IPA let a lot to be desired...I really wanted more hop aroma and flavor...the malts got the best of this one

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 13:17:25 | More by thain709

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pretty shade of amber brown has a golden hue to it. Head is a nice 1/2 inch of opaque colored head with sticky lacing.

S - Mild floral hops with a nice bit of biscuit malt body. Hops are nice mango or citrus quality. Balanced.

T - The biscuit like malts are fairly sweet with levels of caramel and even though the hops are not too bitter they are still very balanced with said malt with level of apricot and mango hops.

M - Light to medium very easy drinkability

Overall damn 2 for 2 but I like this even more than the Southampton version since it has a deeper level of sweet malts next to bittering hops. Six pack would be easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 03:13:43 | More by DrDemento456

jaasen64

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle from Wolaver's mixed 12

A- Slightly hazy yellow translucent golden, almost no head, slight lacing, little carbonation.

S- Hops, lightly sweet, slightly floral smell, fruits: apricots, apples

T- Lightly sweet fruity taste with a little bit of hops. Apricots, apples, caramel malts definitely come out to make it sweet.

M- medium bodied, smooth, and drinkable.

O- This definitely wasn't the most hoppy IPA that I've had, but it was definitely easily drinkable. Very well balanced between the malty sweetness and the hops, definitely an IPA that I would try again but not go out of my way to buy.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 23:53:39 | More by jaasen64

KomodoDragon

Virginia

3.38/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Poured an active hazy tangerine with only a trace of head

S - Pine, orange rind, light sugars

T - hop forward with tones of citrus and a long sweet finish. Some apricot, some spices. More of a hybrid summer pale than an IPA

M - Some sourness, smooth

Refreshing, organic, easy drinking. Perfect use of some Vermont water. Good brew, below avg IPA

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 02:29:30 | More by KomodoDragon

cyclonece09

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a dark golden color with about a centimeter of head that quickly dissipates. Did not get a strong aroma of anything, but a slight hint of hops. Right away, you taste the hops, but it is not overpowering. Also a slight citrus taste which adds to the overall taste nicely. Carbonation is right and it goes down smooth with not much aftertaste. Definitely one that you could drink all night. A nice IPA, and organic to boot. However, it is like many out there.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 00:50:55 | More by cyclonece09

lstokes

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is a very glowing orange with a nice translucent body and the smell of orange rind. The taste is almost overpoweringly bitter orange--not orange rind, but orange pip!--earthy/herbal hops, and some malt sweetness. Light body that could use better carbonation, finishes quite dry. It's pretty much a middle-of-the-road IPA for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2011 05:38:11 | More by lstokes

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.3/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Given to me by Rudzud, thanks Matt.

Pours a nice big creamy 1 finger head that fades at a med pace with a little bit of lacing, wicked hazy and full of yeast chunks, opaque nectar orange slight reddish colored beer.

Nose is very light, slight hint of floral hops, a bit herbal as well, some gritty malts, slight yeasty, that's about it.

Taste start with light hops again, very light fruity flavor, but more herbal floral like hops, a bit earthy, little juicy, and just a hint spicy later, then syrupy sweet malts, not much for syrupy flavors just sticky and sweet, thicker. Finishes fairly bitter, drier but still very sticky, chewy, some spicy earthy hops.

Mouth is a bit thicker bodied, decent carb, bit of a spicy feel.

Overall meh, very little on the hop profile, more bitterness, nose is practically non-existant, and sticky sweet.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 23:17:29 | More by jlindros

SickGnar

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Rich and glowing darkish golden. Slightly hazy with some floaty bits and a few streams of bubbles. A large, pillowy, golden / off-white head that turns rocky as it settles. Very good retention and lacing.

S: Rather mild hop nose – vague, soft citrus. Toasty, slightly grainy, pale base malt with hints of caramel and sweetness. Nose is rather shy & simple. Warming doesn’t help much – just a slightly increased earthy / grassy note out of the hops.

T: Far more firmly bitter and flavorful than the nose. Opens with citrus (grapefruit rind & a touch of lemon) and a bit of pine, but also with some earthy & grassy notes. Middle is firmly citrus rind with a bite. Some spicy notes come through in the end and stay into the finish to linger with more earthy / woody notes, some resin, and the continuing rind. Malts are pretty simple – mostly just pale base malt with hints of toasty grain, perhaps some biscuit, and hints of caramel and sweetness. Provide a good platform for the hops. Just the barest hint juicy at the edges.

M: Medium to just a bit under with average carbonation. Quite attenuated, but still some hints of sugars and dextrins. Sort of brisk with a strong hop drying.

D: Weakish nose, simple malt profile, but flavorful and dynamic hops. Nicely straight forward interpretation of an American IPA.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2011 00:14:08 | More by SickGnar