Pick Axe IPA - Tommyknocker Brewery

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Back in PA from my DE trip to my brother's wedding:

Into a pint glass:

A: hazy orange body with a half finger white foamy head that quickly dies to a film coating the top of the body, some clingy foamy lacing a bit here and there

S: light grain malt, piney hops and a soapiness (wish I knew how old this was, but didn't see any dates on the bottle), caramel comes out after a bit of warming

T: sweet yet bitter at different times with a decent maltiness coming out to provide a nice balance, still that soapy taste comes in a bit but isn't too bothersome

M: light, very sessionable, the ABV is not felt, and seems just a tad under-carbonated

O: hmmm.... I wish I knew how old this was, something just doesn't seem right, I'd probably only seek again if I could find a fresher bottle as I'm thinkin' this was a bit old

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 18:34:49 | More by kangarooAdam59

KajII

North Carolina

3.43/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

[Suggested Glassware: Tulip Glass]

The pour was a hazy orange with a nice reddish hue and an average (1-2 finger) off white creamy head that was mostly lasting, reducing to a thick puddled film and medium collar with excellent full sheeting of sticky lacing.

The aroma was of a light grain malt, pine hops and a soapy yeast with notes of caramel and citrus (grapefruit and orange peel).

The taste was bitter sweet and decently malty with a light touch of caramel and a hint of grapefruit early on, becoming a bit hoppier and having a slight citrus peel bitterness towards the finish. The flavor lasted an average duration following the swallow, with a mild citrus peel bitterness left behind to linger a bit longer on the taste buds.

Mouthfeel was light in body with a dry, oily texture and a carbonation that was quite lively.

Overall this was a smooth and easy to drink IPA with a nice well rounded flavor. It was a brew that was not overpowered by an excessive bitterness, but rather blended together well with the caramel sweetness creating a pleasurable drinking experience...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 17:30:05 | More by KajII

Omnium

Pennsylvania

2.84/5  rDev -18.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

Bottle > Pint Glass
A - Pours a very hazy orange yellow color, minimal head, and thin or no lacing at all.
S - Sweet malts, very minute citrus hop smell, pine
T - The sweeter malts outweigh all the other flavors in this, and they're not even that strong. Very little hop presence in this brew.
M - Thin, very watery, bitter sweet malt clings for small time
O - This is a crap beer, and even worse IPA, this should be considered a lame pale ale at best. This has very base, weak flavors that give you nothing short of an unsatisfied palate. No hops to qualify this as an IPA.
Tommyknocker, could you for once please prove me wrong about your beer?

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 03:42:32 | More by Omnium

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.01/5  rDev -14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.75

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Not sure how the IPA escaped me all those years on the east coast, but it's in front of me now. Get some! This stuff pours a clear bronze-copper topped by a finger of glowing off-white foam. The nose comprises grapefruit zest, light grass, and a backbone of sweet caramel. The taste brings on more of the same, but the backbone is now less sweet, the grapefruit has been turned inside-out, and there's a general sense of mentholated funk throughout. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, a decent IPA...so long as flavor has nothing to do with it...

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 06:32:45 | More by TMoney2591

metter98

New York

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

A: The beer is slightly hazy light amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a thin off white head that quickly died down and left some lacing on the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of caramel malts in the nose along with some faint hints of citrusy hops.
T: The initial taste has sweet flavors of caramel malts and transitions to some citrusy flavors of hops and a light to moderate amount of bitterness. Hints of spicy hops are also noticeable.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer has a good balance between the malts and hops and is an easy drinking IPA that isn't dominated by hops.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 23:24:04 | More by metter98

GoldHorde

Minnesota

3.05/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Copper colored pour with a fairly heavy haze - not unexpected as I've noted more than a few hazy IPA's - but this was a bit more cloudy than any other and one ALWAYS expects this in a wheat beer. Nonetheless - it doesn't detract from my score. The sniff was floral but without a hop slap - no matter, that again is more prevalent in 2xIPA's. However - where it counts most for me is in the complex "flavor profile" that most recent IPA's deliver: a) strident sniff, b) mouth of edgy malt and c) a lasting after-sting of floral, herbal or citrus hop. This beer placed in "a+b" but did not deliver the "c".

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 05:53:58 | More by GoldHorde

patpbr

Ohio

3.13/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Copper Color with absolutely no head.
S- A sweet malt scent
T- All hops up front the malts add a nice sweetness, a bit bitter on the finish
M-moderate carbonation. A little watery
0- It got better as it went. A colorado beer bought in Ohio could explain its weak pour.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 01:10:22 | More by patpbr

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

2.88/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from 12 oz bottle into pint glass. Served slightly chilled...

A) Hazy, really hazy, kind of an unfiltered wheat look to it. The beer itself is orangish/amber. Not much head, just a thin collar. A little bit of lacing noted.

S) The tropical fruit aroma is light, with a little malt sweetness. There was a hint of alcohol too.

T) I didn't get much citrus on the nose at all, but the flavor is white grapefruit and some pine. The hops/malt balance is off for my tastes. The lingering aftertaste is unpleasant.

M) A lighter medium body, with zesty carbonation. Perhaps a bit thin, but really it's a bitter piney, kind of chemically grassy aftertaste that disrupts the mouthfeel for me.

O) The aroma on this IPA isn't half bad, but the the rest of this is below average in my opinion. Sorry, but I cannot recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 19:40:27 | More by RoamingGnome

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

3.28/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours amber color with white head. Tons of lacing along sides of Teku glass.

Smell is a little skunky. Tangerine hoppiness and honey notes. Also a little petroleum character.

Taste is sweet malt up front. Slight over-ripe citrus. Not great but o.k. Dull bitterness in the finish.

Mouthfeel is light and watery.

Overall this was fair at best.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 01:10:36 | More by TrappistJohnMD

tylerprince

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Enjoyed on tap at Tommyknocker after an easy climb up Bierstadt.

A: Unfortunately, the beer's strong point. Pours a nice ever-so-slightly hazy copper with a finger of white head. Moderate retention but beautiful rings of lacing.

S: Strong citrus, primarily grapefruit, with a bready malt in the back. Moderate strength.

T: Like it smells. Hop forward for sure, but not at all imbalanced. Hits the palate with tons of citrus, which then gives way into a subtle hint of pine. The pine is accompanied by some alcohol, and tastes better as it warms - I found this flavor to be rather astringent, almost gasoline-like, over the first few sips. The beer closes out with a fresh bready malt accompanying a hint of lingering bitterness.

M: Crisp and clean; light-bodied and drinkable. In my opinion, light-bodied IPAs need some resins to prevent the beer from feeling watery. Unfortunately, this beer has no stick to it and falls victim to this problem.

O: A solid, highly sessionable IPA, if slightly lacking in character. Drink a little warmer to ensure you get the pine and not the pine-sol/gasoline flavors this beer started with.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2012 21:38:53 | More by tylerprince

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

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

Pours a hazy amber with minimal white head, but decent residual lacing. Aroma of caramelized malts has pleasant "west coast" citrus undertones. The taste is initially sweet but transitions abruptly into a distinct bitterness. A pleasantly lingering bitter finish is preceded by almost what I'd call a "sharpness" across the palate. Still a decent beer, but not as well balanced as some.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 23:27:22 | More by hopsolutely

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.28/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle, best by June 18, 2012. Served at around 40F.

Pours slightly hazy amber/copper with a small one finger white head that leaves some nice spotty lacing and holds a light cap.

Aroma is mostly grassy and floral hops, a bit of orange citrus, touch of apricot, decent amount of bread and caramel malt. There is some sort of metallic note I’m getting as well. Good strength.

Flavor is grassy, floral and resinous hops, bready malt, some caramel and toffee, mild sweetness, decent bitterness. Minimal alcohol.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, a bit oily, good carbonation.

A decent IPA, nothing groundbreaking.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2012 00:37:32 | More by elgiacomo

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.83/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

apparently one of tommyknockers big medal winners at GABF. pours a very very light straw yellow color with a short white head. smells like fruity hops, tropical and pungent. also notes of biscuity pale malt and grassy yeast. the flavor is totally dominated by the hops, which have a pleasant sharpness to them and plenty of fruity essences. not particularly bitter, just flavorful and crisp. feel is a little light on the body for an american ipa in my book, could use some more malt balancing out the hops in here, but the carbonation levels work just fine and the beer is a pretty easy session ipa, as it doesnt fill you up at all. i will have to drink a few more of these to better critique it, but its a nice light enjoyable ipa. good for summer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2012 17:33:42 | More by StonedTrippin

diamondc

Texas

3.38/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Very cloudy, bronze. Some decent head and lacing.

S: Brown sugar, wheat bread, some lite tropical fruit coming through at the end.

T: Definitely on the maltier side, some chewy caramel malts with some orange, pineapple hop flavors.

M: Bitterness lingers on after awhile after each sip, a bit of a medicinal aftertaste actually.

O: Just an alright IPA, nothing I would look for again.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 03:40:36 | More by diamondc

Billolick

New York

3.9/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

So all of a sudden what seems like the entire Tommyknocker line of brews is available in bobbles and Pick Axe for growler in NY state.

Yorktown Beverage filled my growler for $12.99.

Pours near clear, typical almond amber, moderate lite tan head, super tiny bubble film, leaves nice looking fine lace and mini sheets of the real fine stuff, a marker IMHO of quality brewing.

Pine infused hoppy nose.

Tasty and easy drinking, something about IPA from Colorado and points west! Tastes fresh and clearly "in good shape" after the trip. Ample hop presence, more pine then citrus, but some grapefruit picked up. Caramel malts provide the balance.

Nothing amazing, just quality IPA is what I've got in my glass.

Looking forward to trying some others in the line, looks like only in bottles currently however...

Serving type: growler

03-25-2012 14:40:39 | More by Billolick

t2thebro

Iowa

2.48/5  rDev -29.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A- light hazy copper, one finger off white head dissipates rapidly.

S- bland, slightly grainy, slight orange peel. .

T- taste resembles smell. Pale Malts dominate till the very end, then just a twist of orange peel. Kinda disappointing. No bite, slight bitterness pale malts dominate.

M- low carb, slightly oily.

O- at the high cost of this beer ($11 a six), and as much as I like the black ipa I was expecting much, much more. Probably won't be back for more. Needs huge dry hop addition.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 00:36:43 | More by t2thebro

phishsihq

Colorado

3.03/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pick Axe IPA pours a hazy coppery-orange, with a half-inch of eggshell colored head that left slight lacing. A dash of sweet malt first hits the nose before giving way to more typical IPA aromas that included grapefruit and pineapple hop tones. Slight toasty malt flavors flow superbly into pineapple and grapefruit hoppiness, amazing balance in this beer! The finish is somewhat sweeter than expected, with only moderate bitterness in this light bodied, low carbonation brew. The balance in this beer makes it pretty special.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 03:46:01 | More by phishsihq

FanofHefe

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, freshness dating of best by June 11, 2012. Pours a clear, light amber body with an almost two-finger off-white head. Decent retention and moderate amount of lacing.

Not overpowering, but a solid citrus hop aroma leaning mostly toward citrus with a hint of pine. A light, sweet caramel malt aroma in the background.

The taste is a just a notch above the aroma. Solid hop flavors of lemon and oranage citrus flavors that back up a solid pine resin taste. The sweet caramel malt provides a nice balance and blends very well.

Medium to light mouthfeel that goes down easily. A rock solid IPA overall that represents the style very well.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 23:42:58 | More by FanofHefe

HopHeadRyan

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

TommyKnocker - Pick Axe IPA

A - Hazy Orange - minimal head - residual head hangs around - nice creamy lacing (3.5)

S - Sniff from opened bottle was intense floral-citrus-dank hoppiness - Excellent! Once poured it has a less intense citrus-tropical fruits aroma - very very nice though. A definite dose of grains in the nose. Overall a much nicer aroma than expected (4.5)

T - Great taste…superbly balanced…Juicy tropical fruits…mild grapefruit bitterness…creamy sweet malts…great taste…I would however like to see the bitterness dialed up just a shade, while retaining its balance…it could handle a few more IBUs…60-65 would be perfect (3.5)

M - Creamy medium bodied, low carbonation, very soft-silky mouthfeel (4.5)

Overall - - A superb IPA…very balanced and highly drinkable…needs maybe a shade more hop character on the nose and in bitterness…the flavor is pure tropical hop juice…definitely try this IPA…great stuff! (3.5)

cheers!

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2012 20:22:56 | More by HopHeadRyan

TheCondor

Missouri

3.25/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Obtained from a brewmasters collection mix and match twelve pack of Tommyknocker beers. Some have been good, some have been bad, but all have been fun to drink!

Appearance - Poured from the bottle into a standard pint glass. Pours a hazy copper color with a thin head which evaporates quickly. The beer will leave lacing all the way dwn the glass to the very end.

Smell - Certainly some citrusy and grapefruit smelling hops in there, along with a faint tinge of malt in the background.

Taste - A fairly pronounced grapefruit/piney taste throughout the drink. There is some sweetness at the end, but it certainly did not pack the bitter punch like I expected out of an IPA. Maybe I like mine a little stronger, but I just didn't think it was very bitter.

Mouthfeel - Light, thin, maybe even a little watery.

Overall - This is a decent beer. It's still an IPA, it's still a beer, and I would certainly drink it again if offered. That being said, I wouldn't necessarily buy it again. There isn't anything really wrong with it, there's just a lot better IPAs out there for the money. But it's worth a taste!

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 21:16:18 | More by TheCondor

legalpete19340

Virginia

3.85/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured a hazy and orange with dull copper streaks. One finger of thick looking head that fell to a skim but laced.

S: Malt jump out ahead of hops with toast and grain. Grapefruit and pineapple.

T: Like a grilled pineapple and grapefruit on toast. Somehow its an even balance of the two with a bit of sour grain and bitter bite thrown in at the end.

M: Thinnish medium with mild carbonation.

O: Kind of a strange brew but I enjoyed it. The nose is near nothing and the taste is a malty pineapple but somehow i enjoyed drinking it. Not earth shattering but worth swigging a few.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2012 03:06:08 | More by legalpete19340

cyclonece09

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a cloudy dark amber with a 1 finger head that dissipated at a decent rate, but not too quickly. Has a small floral aroma, a little piney with definite hint of hops. Has a high hop taste but definitely balanced with some nice malty hints. Can definitely taste both, and they go hand in hand. Goes down real easy and with no real aftertastes for a beer with 6.2% ABV. Overall a good beer and decent IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 01:20:56 | More by cyclonece09

hosehead83

Ohio

3.1/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Cloudy copper in color, with a rather short head of eggshell-white foam.
Aroma-Sweet toasted malt, citrus hop note
Taste-More of a pale ale than IPA-Toasted malt and especially hops are muted and uninspired. Undercarbonated, as it seem to go flat in the glass rather quickly. Decent, but nothing special here.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 17:09:48 | More by hosehead83

Clowerweb

Ohio

2.6/5  rDev -25.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured aggressively from a 12oz. bottle into a pint glass.

A: Slightly cloudy golden color, decent head and lacing. Respectable.

S: It smells like... armpit sweat B.O... It literally smells like someone didn't wear any deodorant. Pretty bad. I was so put off by this, I almost missed the hops hiding underneath. This smells disgusting to me. This is not like a Heineken or Corona skunk, this is skunk plus funk.

T: A lot like it smells, tastes like drinking armpit sweat with some bitter hoppiness. I'm really disgusted by the beer.

M: Watery, light carbonation, no body (unless you count the body odor lol).

O: A craft beer I would actually take a Bud Light over. This more than failed to impress, it literally made me want to throw up from the smell to the taste, not good at all. Practically undrinkable. There isn't anything likable about this beer. At all.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 06:38:48 | More by Clowerweb

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.1/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a standard pint glass. The beer is a slightly hazy copper color. A nice off-white head stays around for a while with sticky lacing. Smells of citrus hops and grapefruit. The beer tastes bright and crisp with hops and grapefruit up front. It finishes clean and dry. The mouthfeel is medium bodied.

Overall, a nice IPA. Straight-forward, it tastes like an IPA should, clean, crisp, and lots of tangy grapefruit/hops. Worthy.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 00:09:59 | More by JuicesFlowing