IPA
Square One Brewery & Distillery

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From:
Square One Brewery & Distillery
 
Missouri, United States
Style:
American IPA
ABV:
6.25%
Score:
84
Avg:
3.63 | pDev: 9.37%
Reviews:
15
Ratings:
27
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 14, 2015
Added:
Dec 28, 2005
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  1
This full bodied, dark golden ale is brewed with a larger proportion of hops and malt to give it a rich, malty taste and clean, bitter finish. Traditionally brewed to handle the long trip from England to India by sail and then steam, this beer is certain to please those looking for something a bit “bigger.”
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of JLaw55
Reviewed by JLaw55 from Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This was actually less bitter than the Pale Ale, which was odd. It was pretty decent, on the malty side with little hop bitterness as previously mentioned. Not a huge standout though.

Would Drink Again: No
Would Purchase Again: No
Nov 14, 2015
 
Rated: 3.5 by Texasfan549 from Texas

Sep 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by kjkinsey from Texas

Sep 12, 2015
 
Rated: 3.64 by Yesdog from Illinois

Nov 29, 2014
 
Rated: 3 by Mild_Bill from Illinois

Jun 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by jaydoc from Kansas

Jan 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by atlbravsrno1 from Maine

Jan 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by DIPAFAN from New Jersey

Jun 09, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by dt_gbpackersfan from Missouri

Jun 03, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Eaglefan344 from Missouri

Apr 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by deweese from Missouri

Jan 06, 2013
Photo of kylehay2004
Reviewed by kylehay2004 from Illinois

3.68/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Single finger head with excellent lacing on a slightly hazy copper with golden hues body. Light aroma with mostly orange peel and grapefruit citrus hops. Not too malty with the hops tasting different but almost to the same hop level as their pale ale which was disappointing. Hops provide earthy and citrus tartness. The malts are mild. Slight resin bitterness to the finish. Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Not too bad. It grows in you as its enjoyed and the hoppiness improves.
Nov 17, 2012
Photo of jrenihan
Reviewed by jrenihan from Canada (ON)

3.38/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
On cask at Square One.

Beer is amber. A small but frothy white head on top. Good lacing.

Smell consists of citrus scents, grapefruit mainly. Bready. Fairly thin. Not a strong or deep smell.

Taste is also citrusy, and thin. Caramel and bready malt. Not nearly as hop-focused as a typical AIPA.

Body is very, very thin. No carbonation. I like cask beers very much, but this one does not work.

Overall, disappointing. Hops are weak and the malt does not make up for it.
Jun 12, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by captainbearcat from Illinois

Apr 07, 2012
 
Rated: 2.5 by jophish17 from Georgia

Feb 18, 2012
Photo of paxchristi
Reviewed by paxchristi from Missouri

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
This is yet another IPA, and the baby Jesus knows we need another IPA, right? But, eh, I love IPAs; can't get enough hops!

Appearance: Dark Amber and sightly cloudy. Something about this brewery keeps the head heavier; even on their IPA...which is unique if you ask me. Lacing was a for sure, but overall the look was fairly par for an IPA. So its was true to its craft but no real difference from what is stereotypical.

Smell: Earthy. In the distance there was some fresh cut grass, and so the earthy ambiance seemed to add to the earthy/grassiness of the smell. It had a acidic, citrusy smell that was pretty strong, but not anything shocking.

Taste: Hey, its an IPA. A damn worthy one. Rich malty taste with a bitter finish. Its great. But, it doesn't stand out from Schlafly's Pale Ales. It has a IBU of 85, so the bitterness is fantastic; though I bet a bit too "big" for those who are not seeking it. Its missing something to make it stand out. I think that's why they now make their "Cascade IPA" which I think is much better because of its added accents. I will review it soon!

Mouth: The citrus gave it an almost acidic effect, though it was not blatant or offensive. It gave my tongue a thrill, but I've had better. Good even carbonation. I've seen other reviews that say it lacked carbonation; maybe they are struggling with consistency?

Overall: Its a worthy effort but it does not stand up to the big boys of IPA like Stone Ruination or Bell's Two-Hearted IPA. I will probably drink it when I go there, but if their Cascade American IPA is available, I will most likely drink it. Its probably the best American IPA brewed in The Lou though. I Recommend this beer if you're out that way.
Aug 15, 2011
Photo of kkoz
Reviewed by kkoz from Illinois

3.88/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance & Aroma: Dark amber in color and slightly cloudy, it had a decent sized, off-white, soapy and creamy head on it. There was a grassy and citrusy hop aroma with a little bit of caramel maltiness detectable as well.

Taste & Feel: The beer was medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel, however, there was a bit of crispness of citrus hoppiness up front. in the middle, a sweet caramel maltiness came through a little bit before a bigger grassy, resiney, and citrusy hop flavor grew through the finish. The aftertaste left citrusy and resiney hop flavors in my mouth.

Food Pairing: With this type of hoppy IPA, I enjoy pairing it with a big juicy burger. It takes a solid meal to match the bold hoppiness of this beer, and the caramel maltiness often complements the juicy burger and bun.

Overall Impression: This IPA had a solid and flavorful maltiness, but it was tough for it to match the big bold citrus and resin hop flavors. I’ve found a lot of citrus hop flavors lately, but I particularly enjoyed the resiny hop flavors, which added some more complexity to the hop flavor. While it was hoppy and flavorful, it was also pretty smooth and drinkable. Overall, I enjoyed this beer and would recommend it if you get a chance to stop by the brewery.
Aug 15, 2011
Photo of Jayli
Reviewed by Jayli from Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had at Square One Brewery 5/27
Served in a pint glass.

A: This beer pours a nice, hazy, caramel color with a one finger of frothy white head. Head recedes at a moderate pace leaving wispy lacing on the glass.

S: Nose is citrus and mango fruitiness, with a touch of caramel.

T: Taste starts with a good deal of grapefruit bitterness at the forefront before the fruity mango flavoring comes in and takes over. Mango continues through the finish with some caramel malt presence.

M: Medium body, medium carbonation, silky, oily body to this.

O: Goes down easily, tasty, somewhat filling, decent kick, decent representation of style. I enjoyed this beer and would certainly have another pint or two.
Jun 07, 2011
Photo of JoEBoBpr
Reviewed by JoEBoBpr from Missouri

4.23/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a freshly filled growler.

A - Pours a very glorious dark copper color with some very nice haze and good golden hints. It pours with a nice sticky 1 inch head. The head is a nice off-white with real small dense bubbles tightly packed and intermingled with some bigger bubbles. Very nice.

S - As I poured this beer I could definitely smell the dry hopped aspect of this beer. Delicious grassy, hoppy and very citrusy up front. The hop aroma is very polished and strong and pungent. Wow very nice. Great bready and biscuit malt on the back end of the nose balances it out.

T - Starts off with a delicious citrus blast that coats the tongue immediately. Wow this is a very surprising beer. The citrus hop blast is so full and grassy and fresh but its not too strong. The dry hopped character is definitely present making the flavor a bit more fluffy. Nice resiny pine is present as well. Similar to the smell there is a great malt backbone that balances this out very well. The bready malt is so fresh and toasty with some nice sweet hints in there. Overall this is a very surprising IPA that can do battle with other local brews. Easily nicer than O'fallon 5 Day in my book and almost as good as the Schlafly American IPA.

M & D - Very crisp and delicious with some nice resiny hops character and a great dry and bitter finish. Extremely drinkable. I might finish this growler by myself.
Sep 23, 2010
Photo of abrand
Reviewed by abrand from Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
5 ounce pour part of the sampler at the brewpub.

The IPA pours a hazy golden orange and nice frothy pure white head with lots of lacing. Aromas are grapefruit, pines and plenty of hops. Quaff is mostly citrus flavors with a subtle hop finish. A little disappointed in the hops that make up the taste. The bartender told me the hops were "dominating" for this beer and I will disagree. Mouthfeel is crispy and silky. A pretty good IPA which I would say is much more drinkable had I not had my expectations so high of the hop presence. Maybe she was thinking of Imperial IPA.
Feb 21, 2010
IPA from Square One Brewery & Distillery
Beer rating: 84 out of 100 with 27 ratings