ISA (India-Style Session Ale) - 10 Barrel Brewing Co.

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.1/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Confused by this brewery. Apparently formerly known as Wildfire, the picture here is for "Two Beers Brewing Co." and this beer is variably known as ISA or Trailhead. Oh well. This "10 Barrel Brewing Co." "ISA" was purchased from "Beermongers" in "Portland", Oregon.

Pours a very clear and light golden hue, with a touch of haze to it. In fact, it's pretty clear, but there's a translucent wuality to it, which means you can't actually see through it—just to the other side of the glass. Head is fine and white, leaving good, solid lace. Good looking brew overall.

Nose is bright and peppery, with some savouriness notable in the pepper character; perhaps a hint of Sichuan to it. There's perhaps some citrus to it, but it's a spicy note, more like cloves than actual fruit. Very interesting and really quite pleasant.

Soft entry, with very little malt character: instead the peppery hops take up the dominance of the palate, leaving some metallic sharpness and a hint of pith. Afterpalate broadens, giving some pleasant mild sweetness and a touch of body to the beer, while allowing the pepperiness to flow to all parts of the tongue. Nicely done.

What is lacks in complexity, it really makes up for in drinkability. This is indeed a sessionable ale, and one that stays punchy, but light. Very clean, very drinkable and very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 03:00:02 | More by lacqueredmouse

JohnGalt1

Idaho

4.01/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I hear this bottle is going away... Too bad. It is a staple for my fridge. Surprised I haven't reviewed it yet.

Pours with a great foamy 1" head... sheets of lace for the entire goblet.. the brew itself is slightly hop-hazed straw golden.

Nose shows citrus and mild tropical fruitiness from the hops and a slight cracker malt profile.

Flavor mirrors the aromas but is balanced by a great bitter bite... this is really well done..

Body is light given the ABV... carbonation is spot-on and balanced effervescence..

I hope 10 Barrel isn't giving this one the boot.. It is pretty great and VERY drinkable.

4.25/4/4/4/4

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 06:32:43 | More by JohnGalt1

PortlandSunDevil

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%

06-12-2013 23:45:34 | More by PortlandSunDevil

Borrythebear

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

06-12-2013 19:29:23 | More by Borrythebear

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%

06-07-2013 01:27:47 | More by ygtbsm94

polishkaz

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +8.1%

05-30-2013 04:13:51 | More by polishkaz

spark3148857

New York

4/5  rDev +8.1%

05-12-2013 16:41:42 | More by spark3148857

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

05-09-2013 20:30:31 | More by LXIXME

SMITHAND

Oregon

4/5  rDev +8.1%

05-06-2013 16:35:43 | More by SMITHAND

Stiffler

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +21.6%

04-27-2013 23:34:57 | More by Stiffler

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.73/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Dogfish Head pint glass. Pours a medium golden amber with a huge three finger off-white head with good retention and massive lacing; active carbonation. Nice aroma of citrus hops, citrus juice, tropical fruit. Flavor is somewhat muted, but fresh and herbal citrus and piney hops, light grapefruit and mild biscuit malt. Medium bodied with a pleasant spicy carbonation. At first seems attenuated when compared to an IPA, but really hits the mark and surpasses it for the labelled India style session ale. Very fresh and tasty hops that are supported adequately by a mild malt body. I don't drink session ales often, but if I did, this would be on the short list.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 03:04:58 | More by LiquidAmber

Hugonaut13

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

04-23-2013 22:40:16 | More by Hugonaut13

Juno_Malone

Idaho

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%

04-15-2013 01:02:58 | More by Juno_Malone

harrymel

Washington

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

03-25-2013 18:19:46 | More by harrymel

twelveinches

Washington

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

03-24-2013 05:36:45 | More by twelveinches

jooj8

Slovenia

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%

03-05-2013 20:01:45 | More by jooj8

nzerbe

New York

3.25/5  rDev -12.2%

03-04-2013 02:26:45 | More by nzerbe

FrancisT

Vermont

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

01-14-2013 16:30:37 | More by FrancisT

Brad007

Vermont

4.38/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a very blonde color with a one-finger head into my glass. It's closer to the PALE in IPA than a few others I've had recently.

Citrus notes upfront, mainly mango with a touch of buttery bread. Not sure what to make of it aroma-wise.

Clean, crisp and chewy with very good use of hops. It's not BITTER and provides a good contrast between a hoppier IPA and mellower pale ale.

Lingering breadiness and citrus hops make for a great mouthfeel. Very clean. Enjoyable for the low ABV too!

I'd like to see this trend of sessionable IPAs continue. It's a welcome direction and beats the hell out of a bland pale ale!

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 16:03:25 | More by Brad007

chippo33

Vermont

3/5  rDev -18.9%

01-10-2013 07:27:51 | More by chippo33

Cjtytler

3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

01-06-2013 22:25:34 | More by Cjtytler

caseyscarb

4.25/5  rDev +14.9%

01-05-2013 07:55:41 | More by caseyscarb

rapayn01

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +14.9%

01-02-2013 08:03:57 | More by rapayn01

switzer

Oregon

2.75/5  rDev -25.7%

12-23-2012 05:21:24 | More by switzer

BeerHunter76

Texas

4/5  rDev +8.1%

12-04-2012 03:56:52 | More by BeerHunter76