Local Harvest Five Mile Hop Harvest India Pale Ale - Ipswich Ale Brewery

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ipswich 5 mile IPA pours a hazy, almost glowing, light amber with a moderate creamy white head on top. The foam fades quickly leaving behind a thick, netted pattern of lace on the glass.

The aroma is loaded with grapefruit and orange citrus and a touch of pale malt. A little bit of tropical fruit is also present.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is oily on the palate, somewhat soft with moderate carbonation. The flavor has a lot of orange and grapefruit citrus, pine and some tropical notes. There's a fair amount of caramel and pale malt that nicely balances out the hops. It finishes moderately bitter and somewhat dry with a little bit of grass flavor. Once gone the citrus and caramel malt lingers on the palate.

This is a tasty, hoppy beer with enough malt to sweeten up the bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 19:30:44 | More by WanderingFool

tkelley

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I was disappointed that I missed the release party for this, but I was able to pick up a bottle the next week. 22 oz bottle poured into a tulip glass.

A -- pale copper/orange color with a white head that laces really well. Somewhat cloudy. Very pretty.

N -- Not as hoppy as I expected, but very pleasant. An earlier reviewer noted bubblegum hints, which I also found. Hops upfront and some citrus background. Light caramel malts.

T -- Good hops. Not too bitter, but local hops do dominate the tongue. A really pleasant taste.

M -- Not heavy at all. Nice and crisp.

O -- I actually think I like regular Ipswich IPA better, but this is a really solid offering. No fan of IPAs would turn his or her nose at this. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 23:59:09 | More by tkelley

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Slightly cloudy. Light orange in color. Head is thin and bleached. The smaller head really retains itself. It also laces consistently.

S-Whoa! I underestimated this ale. Excellent nose. Great intensity. Very, very hoppy. Clementine flesh and bubblegum hops. Light cracker malt. All about the hops. There are some tropical notes of mango and apricot too. Yes!

T-Very well hopped again. Starts off fruity and citrusy then it flips itself and showcases plenty of pine and grass. Literally goes from tangerine to green grass in 2 seconds. Also, that Bazooka Joe bubblegummy hop flavor pops up. Hop-forward. Soft caramel, and Animal Crackers with a hint of dried biscuit.

M-Medium bodied. Lively carbonation. Quite bitter. Modest resin. Very drinkable.

O/D-Very glad I didn't miss this one! Ipswich killed this Harvest IPA. Über-hopped. Great array of hoppy flavors too. I especially like that bubblegum hop flavor. You could put this bad boy up against several well-respected West Coast IPAs and 5 Mile Hop Harvest would easily put up a great fight; and maybe even win out. Must grab another bottle before its gone or before it stars going south.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 22:11:54 | More by VelvetExtract

hudsonvalleyslim

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The nose knows. Okay, not always. The Five Mile Hop Harvest IPA is one of dem brews that just hits ya on the nose before ya even taste it. Super dry-hopped is my somewhat edgamacated guess.

Tasted this last weekend on draft at one of Ipswich Brewery's low key release events last weekend. Which are superb. Hush hush.... Bought a case and, as we speak, I drink.

Hops from Yard 44 in Ipswich, barley grown at Aprilla Farm in Essex, malted by the superfine Valley Malt in Hadley MA. Says the bottle. Fresh & local fer sure.

Kinda has the creamy full-bodied mouthfeel of the Ipswich IPA, but enhanced. Bitter, rounded, very well-balanced. East Coast fer sure. This is a terrific brew. Might even surpass the great Ipswich IPA, in my opinion one of the best in the US&A.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 00:58:39 | More by hudsonvalleyslim