Sheephead Ale - Brau Brothers Brewing Co. LLC

rundocrun

Iowa

4.2/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

A - Pours a very deep dark copper color. Almost brown, but still crystal clear. A finger of white head forms and stays around for quite some time. Minimal lacing on the glass.

S - Lemony citrus and sweet carmely malt predominate. Mild, earthy and piney notes also present but not as noticeable. I get the impression that this beer will have just as big of a malt presence as hops. Let's see if the taste proves that right...

T - I sure was! Lots of rich dark malts give this unique IPA a good balance of chocolate and caramel flavor that compliments the bitter and mildly acidic notes from the hops quite well. Don't get me wrong, this is still one for the hop heads too. A strong hop bitterness takes over the flavor profile in the middle and mingles with the malt through to the finish leaving the tongue actually a little numb (something I've found to happen with particular IPA's I've tried.

M - Medium body. Thicker than most IPA's I've tried. I'd dare say this fits squarely in between an "average" IPA and an "average" DIPA as far as mouthfeel goes. Good bright carbonation. Dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2011 00:10:09 | More by rundocrun

brewcrew76

Wisconsin

3.79/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - Clear caramel in color with a thin off white head.

S - Bready malts, toffee, biscuit and spicy hops.

T - Same as the aroma. Bready malt, toffee, spicy, herbal hops. Bitter but still well balanced.

M - Light side of medium with moderate carbonation. Lingering bitter finish.

D - Reminds me more of a ESB than an American IPA. Wouldn't be my choice for a true American IPA but overall it is very drinkable and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 01:04:02 | More by brewcrew76

NickSMpls

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%

04-08-2013 23:05:38 | More by NickSMpls

2Cents

Nebraska

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%

04-03-2013 04:46:40 | More by 2Cents

Eric908

South Dakota

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%

03-30-2013 18:38:03 | More by Eric908

Whiskeydeez

Kansas

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%

03-26-2013 22:14:10 | More by Whiskeydeez

sgttibbs

Kansas

3/5  rDev -18.7%

03-22-2013 00:18:52 | More by sgttibbs

King_KongDCO93

Minnesota

2.75/5  rDev -25.5%

03-02-2013 19:44:57 | More by King_KongDCO93

arc3636

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +8.4%

02-03-2013 01:35:59 | More by arc3636

bscalt

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%

01-29-2013 21:59:30 | More by bscalt

j-rod18

North Dakota

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%

01-26-2013 15:54:57 | More by j-rod18

godsfisheye

4/5  rDev +8.4%

01-26-2013 02:01:41 | More by godsfisheye

JohnBoyMilwaukee

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%

12-25-2012 04:53:44 | More by JohnBoyMilwaukee

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.3/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Slightly hazy amber hue with a thin soapy off-white head despite an aggressive pour.

Aroma: Bready malt and english barley. Some sugary sweet hops with a hint of orange zest.

Taste: Some spicy character from an earthy hop blend or maybe a touch of rye malt. Reminiscent of Sam Adams IPA but with better balance. Definitely east coast influenced this the spiciness of the hops. Not all that bitter but leaves a bit of bitterness on the palate in the aftertaste. Finishes slightly dry with an orange peel flavor. Wouldn't have guessed this was 7.7% ABV because it feels much lighter than that.

Mouthfeel: Just below medium bodied with average carbonation. Pretty easy drinkability but just a little watery.

Final Thoughts: I wasn't expecting a whole lot from this beer and it basically met those expectations. Would call this more of an ESB than an IPA. Would I drink it again? Nah.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 23:44:23 | More by JamesMN

koes0024

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%

12-16-2012 01:06:16 | More by koes0024

HANGOVER

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%

11-24-2012 18:23:19 | More by HANGOVER

largemouthdmb

4.5/5  rDev +22%

11-10-2012 22:11:05 | More by largemouthdmb

olliegaff

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%

11-06-2012 23:30:33 | More by olliegaff

gatornation

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

from 12 oz bottle

A-pours a reddish brown color with an off white head with some nice lacing

S- bready malts caramel, baked bread pine/citrus hops

T- malt forward but pine and citrus hop are there with some earth and bread flavors

M-medium carbonation with crisp hops swet malts

O- solid ipa /apa good flavors nice drinkable tasty

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 22:06:09 | More by gatornation

Johnhaley1989

North Dakota

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%

10-05-2012 20:03:44 | More by Johnhaley1989

Chucker17

South Dakota

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%

10-02-2012 21:43:44 | More by Chucker17

NilocRellim

Minnesota

2.75/5  rDev -25.5%

09-29-2012 04:04:24 | More by NilocRellim

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a nice amber colour with a hint of brown, finger of head with some retention and no real lacing.

S - Earthy cedar hops with a solid caramel malt sweetness that comes through alongside a spicy ABV scent.

T - Flavour is very bitter with the sour earthy hop notes dominating. Fresh greens and tree bark alongside some toffee and caramel notes on the finish. The bitterness lingers with hints of burnt sugar.

M - Medium bodied, smooth and quite dry.

O - I bought this expecting an ESB, but was pleased to find out it was an IPA, and not one for the faint of heart. This packs a load of bitter hops, so if you're a fan of IBU's, than this brew is highly recommended. The ABV is nicely hidden making is very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2012 00:09:04 | More by andrenaline

oddb0d

3.75/5  rDev +1.6%

09-23-2012 08:27:02 | More by oddb0d

ChopsMeister

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%

09-18-2012 03:35:28 | More by ChopsMeister