Four In Hand IPA - World Brews

viverlee

Ohio

1.85/5  rDev -41.1%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Years ago I played poker. A lot. Paid for a good chunk of law school with it and nearly made it a career. This artwork appeals to the leather-ass grinder still in me. The beer itself, not so much.

STYLE: American IPA

ABV: 6.3%

LOOK: Not exactly Bobby’s Room, it’s as light as the judges’ game. Candied orange and red, the color is nice … but that’s about it. Usually with a brew this light you can expect a half-assed head or a wee pop of carbonation. Not here.

NOSE: Rubbery glue, dirty gutters, cat litter (clean at least). It was a struggle to dig deep in the misplaced hope there was something pleasant to be found.

MOUTH: It’s … tolerable. Even inoffensive. I get some globby maltiness but no hint of hops, no floral spring, no nothing really. The nose, it just clings and moves right in. Quick, someone cheer me up…

You know what cheers me up when I’m feelin’ shitty?

What?

Rolled-up aces over kings.

Is that right?

Yeah … check-raising stupid tourists and taking huge pots off ‘em. Stacks and towers of checks I can’t even see over. Playin’ all-night, high-limit hold’em at the Taj, “where the sand turns to gold.”

Fuck it, let’s go.

Don’t tease me.

Let’s play some fucking cards.

Beeradvocate Rating: 76

Hayward Abbey Rating: 62

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2012 03:19:39 | More by viverlee

rcfunk

Texas

1.88/5  rDev -40.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

What this beer lacks in quality and taste, it makes up for in oxidation and diacetyl. Really not so great. I am sorry I bought a six pack of it. At least it was on special. Never again. I hate it when this kind of thing makes it to market. I don't know what is supposed to make this an IPA. I would say this beer is a result of either bad equipment, operator error poor recipe design or a mix of all three.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 02:32:48 | More by rcfunk

popery

California

2.15/5  rDev -31.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Bottle. Rated with style in mind. This is among the worst IPAs that I’ve ever had. There’s little hop presence, besides a touch of bland bitterness in the finish and a hint of pine/citrus in the aroma. Otherwise, the aroma is old grain, simple sugar and a funny vegetal note, and it’s all quite weak. The taste is sweet and musty with a finish that’s kinda cloying with a slight bitter edge. Mouthfeel is sudsy and fine. Likewise, appearance is a standard orange-amber, transparent, with a white head. It just tastes cheap and crappy. It’s certainly not the worst beer in the world, but I would recommend spending a couple extra bucks on a good six pack and definitely don’t expect an IPA, if you do buy it.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 02:48:16 | More by popery

Jaynuze

District of Columbia

2.2/5  rDev -29.9%
look: 2.75 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.25

Bought a four pack of 16 oz cans. My interests were piqued with the interesting label and the attractive price; ~$5 for a four pack at Whole Foods. Majorly disappointed. It pours very clear, akin to a light lager. The nose and taste were pretty much on par with the appearance: metallic nose with no floral notes and a wet, stale finish. It reminded me of a macro beer = great idea/intentions, but poor finish overall. I have three more of these in the fridge, so I will give it another try to see if it was just a one off. Pretty bummed as this had appeared to be a great buy.

Serving type: can

03-27-2013 14:19:30 | More by Jaynuze

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

2.25/5  rDev -28.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Thanks to Whole Foods for having the 20% off on beer thing on Friday, and thanks for keeping me from having to waste my money on this beer by offering samples. Poured a cloudy light copper with way too much haze in it for no apparent reason. Aroma was just pure bitter, not a delicate or powerful hop presence, just bitterness, super high alpha acid long bitter boil no dry hopping type of territory I suspect.

Taste, you know the story by now, its real bitter and brings nothing else to the table. Yeah, there might be some serious ibus in this one, but there's just no taste beyond the acrid bitterness. If there is a flavor, you'd describe it as like stomach acid and soap combined.

Same price as SNPA? Yeah, uh, no thanks, won't be buying a sixer of this, ever.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 23:56:35 | More by Beerandraiderfan

avaldivia

California

2.33/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from bottle into a Pint Glass.

A: Fairly clear golden color. good size head and decent lacing.

S: Some citrus and malts. Nothing really popping out or discernible.

T: Tastes like a weak East Coast IPA. Watery, not nearly enough hop presence. No real flavors coming out.

M: Light and crisp. Good carbonation.

O: Drain poured after consuming about half the bottle. I just was not a fan. I will say that as far as the Whole Foods exclusive brands go, this was the most palatable. It is in no way good, but better than the rest.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 15:34:37 | More by avaldivia

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

2.55/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Way too many malts and not enough hops. Blah. Totally missing the mark and totally lame. I don't even want to go on with this, but I will, and will try to keep it quick. Glad I didn't buy more than a single of this. Whole Foods should quit carrying this crap. Waste of my time.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 03:44:53 | More by RblWthACoz

bierguru

Florida

2.68/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

pale golden body with a white foamy head that has great head retention

bold hop smell bidnt get much citrus or floral

taste is overly hops not much citrus taste or malt for that matter

dries the mouth out a tad

not what you would expect or want from an american ipa

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 01:34:30 | More by bierguru

KUmitch

Michigan

2.75/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Bought this at Whole Foods because I was looking for a nice beer for the NFL Draft and it was just $6.99. Was thoroughly unimpressed. It's labelled an IPA but despite being from northern California is decidedly unhoppy and pretty flavorless. It's a good beer for the price if you're looking for a cheap beer, but if you want a good IPA look elsewhere.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 05:45:26 | More by KUmitch

DeltaGolfSierra

Tennessee

2.83/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

The unique playing card label caught my eye, so I added it to my build-your-own 6 pack. The appearance was copper with a pale white head that disappeared about halfway through. Scents of grapefruit, pear, and caramel were pleasant but a bit weak. Malts came through in the taste much more than other IPAs - hops were very much in the background. This tasted more like a pilsner to me. Bready or biscuit flavors were most prominent, with subtle citrus flavors in support. Just a slight bitterness is noticed in the finish, but much less than other IPAs. The taste isn't bad, but seems very out of character for this style, so I'm deducting some points from the taste score. More emphasis on hops would greatly improve this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 15:32:00 | More by DeltaGolfSierra

droomyster

Virginia

2.83/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

This was not undrinkable but it definitely defied my expectations of an IPA in ways that I can't forgive. The appearance and aroma are neither here nor there, but what I'm looking for in an IPA is a hop blend that is 1) more assertive than the malts 2) mult-dimensional in its flavor character and 3) pleasurable. This failed in all three regards so badly that I'm thinking it was simply a bad batch or possibly expired. I'll buy it again in a few months from a different store in order to give this beer the fairest review possible.

Serving type: can

02-26-2013 03:44:24 | More by droomyster

legalpete19340

Virginia

2.88/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured a mostly clear dull orange with maybe a millimeter of white head that evaporated immediately.

S: Not picking up much here. A faint floral hop note. Some apple juice. Maybe a hint of biscuit.

T: Starts with some sweetness then mild and delicate floral hops and back to apple juice. Malt dominates after that with some biscuit and as it finishes some grain a mild bitterness.

M: A fizzy and fluffy thinnish medium.

O: Mild hop and malt flavors across the board. Whats going on isnt terrible it just needs more of it.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 23:52:16 | More by legalpete19340

nickfl

Florida

2.93/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A - Pours with one finger of white foam on top of a slightly hazy, copper colored body. The head fades away quickly and leaves little lace.

S - Bready malt with a hint of toffee and some musty hops in the background.

T - Sweet malt up front with a little bit of red apple yeast character. Some light, musty hop flavor in the middle and more bread and caramel in the finish.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a slightly sweet finish.

D - Bland and unimpressive. The hop character is minimal and the malt is muddy. Not much of an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 02:06:20 | More by nickfl

LXIXME

New Mexico

3/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Big off white head settles into a pretty decent lacing above a clear rich honey colored beer with a light copper hue.

A light coppery caramel malt aroma with just a hint of citrus hops sneaking in.

Light caramel malts with even lighter slightly bitter hops trying to come through in the taste.

A light almost dryish aftertaste on this medium bodied beer.

Not as much of a hop taste or aroma as I like in IPA's but I'm not the boss, so oh well.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 21:16:48 | More by LXIXME

GDBEERMAN

Colorado

3.1/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz into brew festival mug.

A: body is slightly clear, with a good level of carbonation. Off white head retreats quickly and leaves a thin layered head. Layered pattern on the lacing.

S: Bright and amber aroma, with subtle earthy notes of hops. Medium to weak aroma for style.

T/m: Mouthfeel is nice and light, with good noble flavors, the malt takes the front seat, maybe a bit of a faded hop profile. Medium intensity of flavors.

O: This is a good and drinkable beer, one that I have been enjoying the six pack and for a good price, it makes a solid session IPA. I would not see this as a winner to recommend someone to the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 18:01:27 | More by GDBEERMAN

litheum94

California

3.13/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle. No dates on the label. Reviewed 7/24/11.

P: Bright and clear amber body. A rocky, off-white head that settles slowly, leaving a nice looking covering. Decent lacing.

A: Aromas of citrus (tangerine), pine and pineapple. Caramel malts and some brown sugar. Herbal, black tea aromas.

T: Very herbal at first, with flavors of black tea. Biscuit malts build the backbone. Slightly bitter citric twinge. A little bit of pine bitterness. Nice balance.

There's not too much depth here, but it is a slightly above average IPA, and for the price, it's one I'll pick up occasionally.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 03:51:51 | More by litheum94

beck2008

California

3.15/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Not the worst IPA in the world but by no means the best. The price was right = $6.97 at Whole Pay Check Market

A - clear copper - very little lacing, 1/2" head

S - Citrus-ish, light hops

T - Not bad, a slight bitter hop finish (for some reason I think of Simple Times Lager when I drink this). Easy drinking ale. I would say it's barely an IPA. I'd call this a Pale Ale and hesitate on calling this a classic IPA.

M - Light body

O - Not bad, not great - if you can get it for under $7 then I'd say give it a go.

Props for a cool label

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 03:25:49 | More by beck2008

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.18/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a clear, orangey-toned body with a frothy, near white head that steadily deflates.

Smell: Spicy-scented hops and some zesty lemongrass notes, along with a bit of grain and caramel.

Taste: Pale malts with some toasted grains and a thin sliver of sweetish caramel. Small hints of husky astringency crop up before you hit the spicy, earthy hops with minute traces of dried citrus and pine. Sufficiently bitter. The flavors fall away past mid-palate, leaving just a light bitterness/grainy taste that slowly drags out past the soft-feeling finish.

Mouthfeel: Falls just shy of medium-bodied. Medium carbonation with a soft, suds-like character.

Overall: It's got some unrefined elements to it that, while not leaving it harsh exactly, does leave the beer a bit off-key. I'd recommend just plunking a couple extra ratty-looking bucks on the counter and getting something (potentially far more) better.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 23:05:04 | More by ChainGangGuy

Luigi

North Carolina

3.18/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours out a hazy orange with a healthy looking white head that settles down to a thick lace around the glass. Retention is good because the lace last till end of IPA.

The aroma is very malty. Not a whole lot of hops to go around as this style calls for. I understand balance, but if you are going to label this as an AIPA than it must live up to those hops.

The taste is about the same. Bread malt, some sweet alcohol, and there is a hint of the hop that does balance the sweetness.

Medium bodied, lightly carbonated, and is easy to drink.

Overall if this were an English IPA is would grade it higher. Maybe that was the point. But, for an American IPA the hop is too weak. Otherwise, it is a good ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2012 01:55:22 | More by Luigi

gc4hokies

Virginia

3.28/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bought this at Whole Foods for 6.99 for a six.

Pours a clear golden/copper color.

Smell is earthy with slight fruitiness. I didn't get any citrus or pine in this one. They use Willamette and Goldings hops in this one with CTZ and Chinook. Chinook must be a small or early addition.

Taste is not bad. Malty and biscuit flavors with a slight dry apple hint. Dry finish.

Overall, not bad but I probably won't buy it again. The character of this and the hops they used would put this in the English IPA style but it's not labeled that way. If you are a fan of English IPAs then this might be a winner for you.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 22:26:35 | More by gc4hokies

Offa

California

3.35/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Deep gold, big off-white head slowly shrinks to foamy, thin but rocky top, a little decent lace.

Aroma is pretty nice, being caramelly citrus (grapefruit & orange), spicy-peppery herb, caramelized light sweet toast, hint of raisininess.

Taste is slightly astringent, medicinal herbal-peppery-vaguely citrusy bitterness, drying to the mouth, with light caramelly sweetness underneath. It is fairly good, and holds up well, but it is definitely a bit too much on the bitter side, a bit sharp, and dries out the mouth. In the end it is somewhat one-dimensional and lacks balance, without enough character or sweetness to carry what bitterness and hoppiness it has.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 05:05:22 | More by Offa

BeerDawgs

Georgia

3.4/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - A clear golden color, not much head or sticky lace.

S - Bread and citrus hops. Not as hoppy as most IPAs

T - Citrus hops mostly. A slight bitter, alchoholic aftertaste.

M - Light bodied, but decently balanced.

O - A decent beer. Its not nearly as bad as some of the reviews. However, nothing really stand out about it.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 02:31:15 | More by BeerDawgs

chinchill

South Carolina

3.43/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a true amber color with a well-proportioned, relatively thick, and surprisingly durable bone-colored head. A good-looking and relatively low-priced IPA. More English style (earthy; limited hop aroma and flavor) than American IPA despite Calif. origin. Enough caramel malt to be clearly discernible. Very limited hop note in the aroma.

O: So much malt that this improves with warming. Would probably get better ratings as a (malty) APA.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 21:40:04 | More by chinchill

barczar

Kentucky

3.48/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Puts a hazy orange colter color with a dense half inch cream head that leaves sheets of lacing.

Apricot, tangerine, resin, and lime dominate a light caramel malt, bready backbone.
Alcohol emerges as it warms, along with diacetyl and floral hops.

Flavor reveals notes of orange, grapefruit, and lemon, ending slightly bitter. The bready malt character is a bit stale, which detracts from the finish. The off flavor is akin to rancid butter.

Body is moderate, with moderate carbonation.

Overall, impressed, given the source. The stale character is offputting, but hop flavor is decent. Aroma is nice.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 21:58:06 | More by barczar

shand

Florida

3.5/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

This is a Whole Foods exclusive label, and available fairly cheaply (I think the single was a buck fidy). This one sure looks like an IPA, pouring a nice copper color with a huge head that leaves nice sheets of sticky lacing on the side of the glass. Aroma is a bit muted, but otherwise a solid citrus and pine deal, with some caramel malts. The IPA basics, if you will. The taste also basically follows the IPA basics, there's some nice citrus up front followed by big piney hops and big caramel malts. there's a little bit of an off flavor here too unfortunately, which is a shame because this'd actually be great otherwise. But, it's still solid enough, especially considering the price.

The mouthfeel is a bit too thin, and a bit too smooth to really give me that iPA feeling. The drinkability is fairly good. Overall, this is a perfectly passable IPA that's really bordering on good, but doesn't quite make it. Either way, it'd probably be a decent choice for a budget brew at seven bucks a sixer.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 22:36:12 | More by shand