Fuggles IPA - Sly Fox Brewing Company

bmills1608

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The last (I believe) of the Anniversary IPA'a. Deep orange amber color, extremely clear. Average size head, about a finger thick.

On the nose - Somewhat muted aromas of hay, very slight grapefruit rind, dandylions and herbs. Also evident was that distinctive Sly Fox caramel/candied malt sweetness. Overall however, the aroma was restrained.

Taste was balanced and full. Flavors of crystal malt, hard candy and a little fruit start things off and are followed quickly by a strong, fairly sharp bitterness. The fuggles bitterness works well here as it slashes the malt sweetness backbone and balances thing very well. Hop flavor was, much like the Target IPA, pretty much absent. There were trace elements of hop flavor of course, but unlike some of the more citrus heavy American hops, the fuggles somewhat stay in the background in terms of flavor, providing mostly a woody/herbal flavor. The bitterness, however, that they provide was bracing and quite steely.

Finished mouth puckering bitter and very clean.

Overall, another fine, distinctive IPA from the Fox. I have a feeling this one may have mixed reviews. It reminded me a lot of the Target. Tons of bitterness, not a lot of hop aroma, but very balanced and very drinkable

Serving type: on-tap

10-03-2004 19:32:44 | More by bmills1608

francisweizen

Australia

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

A nice light orange/amber colour mostly clear with a nice white collar of thick foam. Lacing is decent as well. The aromas are all fuggles hops and again a nice, soft biscuity maltiness. The use of fuggles in this beer are very interesting, and really set it apart from the EKG and SG IPA's. The dry, lower acid British hops used in this brew make is more reminiscent of a Fullers esb or any milder British brew like it. The taste is clean, pure, and refreshing, and the mouthfeel and drinkability are both good. This Fuggles IPA is the best single hopped fuggles brew that I have had to date. It certainly massacres this shipyard Fuggles rendition. Nice stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2005 20:03:46 | More by francisweizen

rdrummer

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Stopped in for a growler of the most recent of the single-hopped Anniversary IPAs. This one was not my favorite, but it was another beauty. It poured a medium amber color with a whitish medium sized head with considerable lacing.

The aroma was milder than many of the other IPAs but was still a hoppy treat for the nose with hints of citrus, spices, and sweet malts.

The taste was less hoppy than most of the other single-hopped offerings, probably due to the nature of the Fuggles itself, but I'm not expert enough to know if that's really true. There was a definite taste of sweet malt in the first sip with some fruity elements kicking in before the hops finishes with a slight bitterness.

The overall feel in the mouth was indicative of an IPA with an almost mouth-puckering bitterness and dryness. Given the balanced nature of the beer (I usually like the really hoppy IPAs), this beer was eminently drinkable. The growler was empty before I knew it. This was probably my least favorite of Anniversary IPAs, but it was distinguished effort.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2004 22:34:02 | More by rdrummer

Gavage

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

One of the nine anniversary IPAs released during the year. Nice orange color with a 1" head. Some mild lacing developed during the drink. The aroma is slightly tamer than expected, as malt and some light hops are picked up by the nose. Flavor wise the malt and bitterness are up front, while a light grainy feeling enveloped the tongue. Barely any citrus with this style IPA.

The mouthfeel was smooth and finished with a mild bitterness on the tongue. Medium bodied. Very drinkable and a good session IPA as flavors are right on and the higher alcohol level is not noticeable at all.

Serving type: on-tap

10-26-2004 20:47:21 | More by Gavage