Meadowlark IPA - Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.69/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

First had: bottle from Pin's, Media, PA

Served in a PT wine glass, of course, a clearish golden-yellow color with a foamy white head that retained as a wispy layer, and streaked the glass with lacing. In the nose, citrusy hops and toasty malts, a bit on the grainy side. More of the same in the taste, crisp citrus and herbal hops, fairly bitter, pale malts and toasted grains. Nothing new here, but overall it's a solid IPA. Medium body and easily drinkable for the style, if a little more on the bitter side.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 01:37:38 | More by Rifugium

WSB

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Meadowlark pours a beautiful clear golden with a huge head of tight white foam. It collapses just a bit, but retains a several inches.

You can identify this as an American IPA immediately by the wonderful smell- citrus bright and hoppy, with subtle notes of biscuits and fresh bread.

Mouthfeel is moderate and wet. Absolutely perfect body and weight.

Taste is....WOW....how to put this into words? Citrusy hops up front, but not overwhelming like many American IPAs. The Galaxy and Citra hops greet the nose and the taste buds very politely but assertively, but with minimal bitterness. Notes of orange and grapefruit peel are complimented and balanced very nicely by a healthy malt profile.

Finish is wet and refreshing, with just a touch of bitter to remind you that this is an American IPA.

A superb beer. This is what an IPA should be- tasty, hoppy, with some bitter, but not an absurd amount. Incredibly tasty and thirst quenching. Whats more, this beer is absolutely sessionable, something I would not normally say about a 7% ABV brew. Highly recommended. An awesome beer.

I am beginning to form the opinion that Dann and Martha Paquette, the brewers behind Pretty Things, are to beer what Bill Belichick is to football. Seriously, neither can do any wrong in their field.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 15:43:19 | More by WSB

mactrail

California

3.48/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Attractive amber gold color in the Crooked Line narrow tulip. It has a perky head and sudsy appeal in the glass. The Citra and Galaxy hops jump right on with the first sip. Flowery hops in the nose with a little butter.

Pronounced orange peel flavor that changes into grapefruit for the aftertaste. Bright and sharp and seriously hoppy. Pretty well blasted with bitterness and saturated in hop oils. A little sweetness emerges now and then. Not much flavor between the extremes of sweet and bitter. Make that candied grapefruit peel.

Of all the interesting brews that these guys make, why do they have to prove they can concoct yet another over-hopped IPA just like the big boys? Tiresome after some sipping, but quite well made for the hop fiend. From the 22 oz bottle bought at Bine & Vine in San Diego.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 06:02:59 | More by mactrail

beer2day

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Orange gold pour with 1 finger light cream head. Not much in the way of retention or lace.

Nose is grassy malt, a bit of biscuit, with a tropical fruit and vegetable mix from the hops. Not bad, but I'm not feeling terribly inspired either.

Lots of grassy malt with a hint of biscuit hits my tongue first. Sweet tropical fruit hint in the finish. Mangoes come to mind. Get a hint of pepper and then a sweet but dry finish. Quite tasty.

Feel is fairly thick and chewy. Expecting a little less against the lighter flavor, but not glaringly out of place.

Overall a nice offering. Maybe not nice enough at the price, but nice nevertheless.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 02:43:19 | More by beer2day

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.8/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a tulip glass. Bottled July 2012.

A: Two fingers of white head with fantastic retention. Great lacing. Hazy gold is barely translucent.

S: Straightforward hops. Nice bitterness and light citrus. Quintessential IPA.

TM/O: Meh, underwhelming. Balanced, lightly malty, lightly hopped. Hops are vegetal, but not spicy. Robust and thick, it's easy drinking and very enjoyable. Recommended, I guess, but generally not impressive. Would have another, but not for $7.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 04:47:37 | More by AgentMunky

Durge

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A clear amber color with a steady pipeline of carbonation and a big white head with great retention, major chunks of lace. The aroma is pungent but delicate with passion fruit mango and lemony edges. Very nice but not too heavy. There's some biscuit to boot. The flavor is a unique floral - citrus marriage with mango and some grassy bite. Lots of soft tropical tastiness with plenty of hop love. Medium bodied with a crispy feel. Beautiful.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 04:24:13 | More by Durge

Brent

Kentucky

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

While I liked this, it made less of an impression on me than it has on others. Deep caramel pour with a firm head. A bit of toastyness in the malt with a consistent hops current, a touch fruity with some herbal leanings. ABV was well integrated in the flavor profile, with no heat or pepper. Finish was clean with the fruity nature echoing.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 20:56:16 | More by Brent

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

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

22oz bottle poured into a snifter

The body is an orange color with an unfiltered look. The cap rises a good two fingers and settles slowly, leaving some spider web lacing in it's wake. Some small bubbles of carbonation find their way through the liquid to the top. The nose is of semi-sweet toasted malt, flowers, apricot, mango, earthy breadiness, and pine cones. A bit all over the place, but focusing on the citrus hops primarily. Lightly sweet bready malt hits me first, before a rush of earthy, piney hops. The finish is mainly tropical fruit. Mangoes and white grapefruit with a bit of apricot give this a mildly bitter finish. Pretty solid balance; good hop profile with clean, bready malt underneath. Medium body, mildly bitter finish with some fruit sweetness to help balance. I really wish I could have tried this fresher, because I think I really would have liked it. As it was, the hops were slightly faded, but this was still a pretty tasty beer. I will seek this out next time it comes around.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 18:13:16 | More by ColForbinBC

ngeunit1

California

4.23/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a hazy golden-orange with a finger of frothy white head atop. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of grapefruit, orange, citrus, and a bit of pine hops with some sweet caramel and biscuit malts.

T - Starts off with a mix of grapefruit, orange, pineapple, and citrus hops with some bitterness and some sweet caramel malts. Through the middle, some grassy and pine hops come through with some more resiny bitterness and some biscuit malts. The finish is a mix of grapefruit, pine, and grassy hops, bitterness, and sweet bready malts.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a dry and bitter finish.

D - Very drinkable. Nice hoppy IPA with a good hop profile and bitterness throughout and good overall balance.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 04:22:45 | More by ngeunit1

aasher

Indiana

4.28/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This just arrived in Indianapolis within the last week.

This beer pours a light bodied amd very clear bright copper in color with a one finger, creamy off white head. The nose is very vibrant, clean, and fresh. It's lightly floral, has a subtly sweet malt backbone, some light grassiness, and light pine. The flavors too are both fresh and very clean. The body on this is perfect for drinkability. The flavors are clean citrus, slightly piney, grassy hops, a touch of sweet caramel malt, and a slightly dry finish. All in all, a nice array of flavors and very well balanced. The mouthfeel and aftertaste (a nice mix of citrusy and piny hops) are spot on. It makes you come back for more. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I didn't quite know what to expect but this was another very nice offering by Pretty Things. I highly recommend it. I wish it came in six packs!

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 03:46:39 | More by aasher

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark honey color with a thick, sticky head. Lacey swass trail left drown down my glass by enduring retention.

Explosive citrus aroma. Dank and intoxicating orange, tangerine, nectarine and all other citrus 'ines. Sweet candy malt underneath.

Dank, resin soaked tangerine over sweet poundcake malt. I think that's the second time I've used dank in this review but it's appropriate and complimentary when used to describe an IPA methinks.

Not only an American IPA but a great IPA. Odd that the best beer (IMO) that this Englishman brews is an American IPA. Or maybe that's just the American meathead in me.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 23:03:49 | More by donkeyrunner

DovaliHops

California

3.9/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy, golden orange color with a medium white head that disappears rather quickly. Scent is packed with a ton of lemon and some bitter grapefruit aromas. Fresh, piney hop aromas with some more lemon and other citrus aromas. Smells like this one is gonna be bitter. Taste is just what I was expecting...it is more bitter than your average IPA, but has some balance to it. Bitter grapefruit up front with a ton of lemon and some grassy flavors. Then I get some orange and more lemon with a hint of peppery spice. Just a hint of alcohol flavor with some extreme bittering hops going on in the finish. Mouthfeel is highly carbonated and medium bodied...tingly carbonation. Drinkability is high. Overall, this is one bitter IPA, but the fruit profile and light maltiness help balance it out.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 07:04:54 | More by DovaliHops

NEhophead

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 fl oz brown bottle served in a nonic.

Pale copper in color with straw and golden highlights. Bright white, dense foam of a head that plasters the nonic's sides.

Semi-sweet toasted malt; light diacetyl and mild caramel. Oily hop aromas, but not over the top; primarily melon and lime.

Fresh, sweet tropical fruit that is met by a fresh burst of pine, but it is the honeydew, lime, and cantaloupe that dominate. The semi-sweet toasted malt lends the perfect balance to the fresh, nearly intense tropical fruit hop flavors. The bitterness is strong, yet the ripe fruit cuts it a bit short. Sharp pine and citrus fill the aftertaste.

A shade more than medium bodied. Remarkably smooth and, as odd as it sounds for the style, even creamy on the palate.

Wow, what a fresh-tasting well balanced, tropical fruit-filled IPA. If this truly is Dan and Martha's first 'American' style, let's hope that there are many more to come.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 00:44:50 | More by NEhophead

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle opened on 9.9.12.

A - Pours a slightly hazy medium orange with a three inch off-white big bubbled head with good retention.

S - Subtle citrus, floral and grass.

T - Sharp orange peel, bitter grass.

D - Tons of carbonation with a medium body. Bitter finish.

O - Hoppy and bitter. Smells soft, but the taste is pretty harsh.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 05:43:26 | More by HuskyinPDX

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22-oz. bomber into a Revolution Brewing imperial pint glass.

A: Poured a clean, bright copper color with a slightly chilled haze and two-finger head of off-white foam that left great sheets of lacing. Carbonation and head retention were both excellent.

S: Very nice combination of sweet, citrusy and spicy hop resins and a hint of catty lemon and spices throw into the mix.

T: Sweet, mild, caramel malts hit the palate first before trending towards a lightly toasted sweet bread flavor. This rushes together with a juicy, fresh citrus flavor with hints of guava, grapefruit and orange peel. The bitterness grips the palate and dries things up towards a bittersweet and malty finish. Excellent balance with loads of fresh hop and juicy malt flavor.

M: A medium-full bodied IPA with a hint of yeasty and protein chew as well as a juicy, fresh and bitter pull from hop resins.

O: This is a truly excellent American IPA with loads of hop and juicy malt character maximized in a very drinkable 7% ABV package. Somewhere between a DIPA and standard IPA, this strong, hoppy ale was very satisfying and dangerously drinkable. I'd be running out to get more if I didn't have to run to MA to find it.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 20:36:25 | More by Gambrinus1184

cavedave

New York

4.38/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours almost clear, a quick to leave off white head, some persistent lace lasts to the end of the glass.

Smell is lemon zest, sweet citrus, a bit of tart yeast, bready biscuit, neutral sweet, and a hint of cat piss.

Marvelous taste. Starts with a wash of lemon and herbal bitter, grabs onto sweet citrus and tropical goodness, even a touch of mango, ends with a wash of bitter and the smallest bit of sweet to balance.

Easy drinking to a fault, though it has plenty of cling, and a delicious clean herbal bitter sustain that rocks.

Fantastic beer, one I am certain to buy way too many of when I can, as it is fully in my IPA sweet spot.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 00:06:01 | More by cavedave

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Although Pretty Things continues to bore me with their labels, I admit that it's what's on the inside that counts. And what's on the inside with the drippy goodness of citra hops!

Goldenrod in color, the beer pours with a moderate haze and burnish undertones. Capped by a creamy off-white head, the foam speckles the glass with residual froth and lace.

Striking aromas of citra hops leap to the foreground with the omnipresent notes of tangerine, mango, apricot (fruit rollups), butterscotch, chive, and strangely- catty. Backed by the caramel sweetness from malt, the beer has an elegant simplicity but complex aromatic spread.

Similarly, the flavors start balanced as well- citrus meets caramel, butterscotch meets herbs, and dry starch meets tropical fruits head on. There's really no chance that the malts give first impressions against the hop onslaught. Both weigh in with an even-keel start, but the hops pull ahead at mid palate and favor the earthy, grassy, musty, and ultimately citrusy and tropical fruit flavors thereafter. Citrus oils frame the bitterness that finishes the beer but never really sheds its mild buttery flavor entirely.

Medium-dry early and off-dry late, the beer's embedded carbonation gives creamy textures to accompany citrusy taste early on. But as the carbonation subsides, the dry malt textures allow for complete hop dominance to finish. Warm, resinous, and a semi-arid mouthfeel gives final impressions as the palate forwards to the next sip. Interestingly, the butterscotch taste only translates to a thin buttery coat to the mouth that's easily overlooked.

The influence of citra hops is unmistakable in this beer. As the creamy-citrus start turns resiny bitter to finish, the beer confusses the palate with a rich tropical character woven into slight buttery tones. Oddly enough, the majority of butter notes show up in aroma and not in taste nor texture.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 04:58:42 | More by BEERchitect

nickfromsacto

California

4.43/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I'm from California, I now live in Manhattan. This reminds me a lot of home.

It appears like an unfiltered IPA. Whatever.

The smell reminds me a lot of Citra/Zombie dust. Fruity and citrusy. I have little experience with galaxy... Not sure if I've had a beer with galaxy hops. I had a chance to taste double galaxy at Alpine when I visited Sandiego (the guest tap), but I messed up.

This tastes awesome. The smell compliments it nicely to creat an overall enjoyable flavor.

Overall, this reminds me of home. West coast IPA influence, no doubt.

I respect this beer. Well done pretty things.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 03:13:57 | More by nickfromsacto

cosmicevan

New York

4.2/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

picked this one up earlier today. bottled in july. enjoyed from my pretty things wine glass.

a - brew poured a semi transparent ruby orange with a finger's worth of foamy ipa head that left streaky yet chunky lacing on the glass.

s - really nice floral hops with a medley of tropical fruit. citra and galaxy, really...how can you go wrong? gooey mango candy with resiny pine. VERY fruity.

t - the pine is way more pronounced in the flavor than the fruitiness, but the fruitiness is still there. the hopping is heavy on the bitterness as opposed to the citric blast.

m - big bitter blast. medium bodied and full flavored.

o - overall pretty things is a bit hit or miss for me, but this one is a hit. i said it before, and i'll say it again...how can you really go wrong with citra and galaxy? this is a very good beer. i'm rather impressed with this. you hear good things about most pretty things beers, but there are only a few standouts in my mind. i'd add this to the list of standouts.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 00:57:47 | More by cosmicevan

Gmann

New York

4.03/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear golden straw color with a honey hue. The pure white head is thick and slowly settles into a chunk ring with some lacing on the glass.

The aroma is all hops and of good strength. Grapefruit rind and pine gets things going followed by some tropical fruit notes and resin. Nice juicy hop oil aroma.

The hops are not as strong in the flavor and more of the malt comes through. The malt base is bready and sweet with some honey notes. The hops are flavorful and bitter. Some grapefruit and a good amount of pine. Subtle tropical fruit mid way through and finishes with a strong grassy hop presence.

Moderate feel with tingly carbonation. Starts sweet and is balanced with some hop bitterness. Then comes the finish in which the bitterness really comes through. A bit dry and chalky and lingers a tad too long but it helps from the malt from being too sweet.

A very nice AIPA which borders on a DIPA. Nice hop profile though the tropical fruit notes come through more as it warms.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 00:04:07 | More by Gmann

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

$8.25 bomber from Abe's.

Sparkling yellow gold, a trifle hazy, alive with carbonation, topped by four fingers plus of snow white fluff. Great stretchy lace. This is a good looking beer.

Big citrus nose, plenty of grapefruit, orange, lemon. Some earthy notes around the edges.

A quick slap of malty sweetness, then it's on to a blast of sweetness of the fruity variety. Extreme juiciness abounds. Just a nip of bitter at the swallow. Hoppy tingle mixes with the fruitiness in the afterglow.

Medium mouthfeel leans a bit towards light in a good refreshing way, but still feels solid.

A very nice and distinctive IPA, more American than I expected, and as good as I expected, maybe even better. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 03:41:15 | More by RonfromJersey

alexgash

Connecticut

4.4/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bottle.

Golden orange body. Clear and clean. Finger and a half of frothy, creamy, off-white head. Great lacing. Spicy, herbal, dank, slightly pungent hop nose. Light butterscotch and candied malt underneath.

Spicy, herbal hop bitterness up front. Some toasted malt notes. Fruity (tropical), sugary malt base fills in. Pineapple, mango, and citrus hop notes into the finish. The hops in this beer are delicious, juicy, and fresh. Only moderately bitter, but the finish does dry out a bit. Lingering fruit, bitterness, and a hint of butterscotch. Medium-bodied, with a creamy feel. Very good!

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 00:30:04 | More by alexgash

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into a tulip glass.

Appearance: golden yellow bodied beer with a huge white head. lacing sticking to everything.

Smell: Big fresh hops! Pine, grapefruits, lemons. Not smelling much of anything from the malts, total hop domination!

Taste: This has a really nice hops profile. Lemons and orange peel are surprisingly big hop notes in this beer and they are accompanied by grapefruit, pine, and grass. The malts are there and add some balance, but it definately hop forward with a mild to moderate hop bitterness / bite to it. Not at all an overly bitter IPA.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. Easy drinking IPA, no nothable booze even at 7% ABV.

Overall: Big hop flavors, nice balance, not overly bitter, easy drinking; this is a fantastic American IPA. WOW! Pretty Things really did this beer style right! A very memorable IPA for me in a style that can get carried away with overly bitter hop profiles. It reminds me of Zombie Dust...seriously it does!

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 15:34:47 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

Duff27

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A two inch whIte fluffy head on a light amber colored body. Sticky lacing and well above average head retention.

Aroma is very fresh smelling. Reminiscent of Zombie Dust, floral.

Taste is more piney/"lemony" than expected from the nose. Id like to say well hidden alcohol prescence. Clean finishing.

Medium mouthfeel, biting carbonation...fits.

Above average IPA here. Very drinkable, mix of citrus and pine. Thanks Brian (4DAloveofSTOUT)!

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 02:35:47 | More by Duff27

wingman14

Ohio

4.23/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a yellowish orange that is kind of hazy, and a small head that doesn't stay very long. The smell is nice, big and inviting hops with big citrus smells. A very nice start. The taste follows closely starting with a subtle sweetness into the big hop and citrus flavors with a slight bitter aftertaste following. This one has a medium mouthfeel, and a nice balance between the hop and citrus notes. A great session beer, couldn't tell it was higher ABV, very enjoyable IPA with great flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 23:01:50 | More by wingman14