Lips Of Faith - Super India Pale Ale (Alpine Collaboration) - New Belgium Brewing

ElderPuma

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

The appearance is exaclty what an IPA should look like. Crisp golden color that is exceptionally clear and topped with a creamy white head that creates a tremendous amount of lace on the way down. The head is made up of small bubbles and stays throughout the whole sitting.

Great cascade hop aroma with a slight malt backbone. For the msot part the nose is just overwhelmed (in a good way) with all of the complexities typically found in a great cascade aroma.

Taste starts with a big bold hop flavor that packs a punch but isn't overly bitter. Although the hope flavoring does dissipate quickly and doesn't leave your tongue overly hopped between drinks, it doesn't really transition into anything else, especially no real malt flavoring. Some exists in small quantities which keeps the beer from being overly imbalanced but isn't a primary flavor component of the taste. As alluded to, the beer isn't exactly balanced by any means but isn't overly hoppy on the tongue either, probably in the 0.8 BU:GU range. Lastly, although the ABV checks in at a cool 9%, there really isn't any heat associated with the flavor at all. This one can be dangerous and sneak up on you because of it.

Mouthfeel is another great example of what an IPA should be. The beer is incredibly drinkable as it is light and crisp, not heavy at all. Goes down quick thanks to how smooth and light it really is.

Overall it is one of the better IPAs out on the market. Given that the American IPA market is very concentrated with a variety of styles and interpretations at the moment, there are probably some versions out there that may be better overall while not being true to style. However, this particular version seems to shoot for and does a very good job of truly capturing what an American IPA should be without any real exotic interpretations or new ideas. There remain some examples out there that are better, but I'd have no problem strongly recommending this particular brew to anyone who is a big fan of IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 21:38:30 | More by ElderPuma

NiceTaps

New Jersey

4.29/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bomber into a stemmed tulip glass.

A- Poured a nice looking golden orange color, nice and bright. The fluffy cream-white head fades to nothing leaving some spotty lacing.

S- Powerful complex hop aroma followed by some syrupy maltiness. Lots of Citrus. It smells 'thick', if that's possible.

T-Heavy hop and malt flavors, some citrus and some caramel. I'm picking up some licorice, I think.

M- Powerful aromas and heavy flavors make for a very full body and feel. Plenty of carbonation provides some relief and balance to the full body. Malt sweetness and hop bite are equally posted.

O- Like I told my friend; " this Sh*t rocks!". Oh, and it's a friendly drinker, too.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 01:08:29 | More by NiceTaps

MinorThreat

Colorado

4.75/5  rDev +12.6%

05-16-2013 02:16:07 | More by MinorThreat

pk18

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

05-14-2013 03:04:07 | More by pk18

AngusOg

Maryland

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-13-2013 16:49:59 | More by AngusOg

Zimm

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -5.2%

05-13-2013 00:27:25 | More by Zimm

gonzowestwood

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

05-06-2013 16:12:25 | More by gonzowestwood

briiguy

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

05-02-2013 22:51:34 | More by briiguy

djs467

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

04-30-2013 16:19:07 | More by djs467

hollywood_15063

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

04-29-2013 23:47:06 | More by hollywood_15063

IPAchris

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

04-29-2013 23:29:50 | More by IPAchris

Kenai4

Minnesota

4.75/5  rDev +12.6%

04-26-2013 02:33:54 | More by Kenai4

Jadjunk

Georgia

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

Pours a creamy white head over a copper-amber body, very clear. Retention is very good.

Grapefruit, citrus ream hop aroma and a bready caramel with a touch of

Sweet malt body with a mild herbal and floral finish. Balance is slightly sweet, mildly syrupy.

Mild carbonation, mild syrupy texture and a resinous dry finish.

A pretty tasty IPA with a very complex hop profile.

4.03/5.0

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 00:49:42 | More by Jadjunk

Evan

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

04-20-2013 17:37:58 | More by Evan

beergorrilla

Michigan

4/5  rDev -5.2%

04-16-2013 06:15:35 | More by beergorrilla

laxer8811

New York

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

04-16-2013 01:23:33 | More by laxer8811

JandJMD

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

04-13-2013 20:39:46 | More by JandJMD

Hugonaut13

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.2%

04-13-2013 03:49:07 | More by Hugonaut13

510a

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

04-12-2013 05:01:16 | More by 510a

RadfordBrewing

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +12.6%

04-11-2013 19:02:10 | More by RadfordBrewing

fredmugs

Indiana

2.75/5  rDev -34.8%

04-09-2013 19:19:34 | More by fredmugs

largadeer

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

04-06-2013 21:49:43 | More by largadeer

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4/5  rDev -5.2%

04-06-2013 19:09:11 | More by EgadBananas

Applesnapple

California

4.75/5  rDev +12.6%

04-01-2013 20:10:51 | More by Applesnapple

t0rin0

California

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

03-30-2013 21:50:39 | More by t0rin0