Four In Hand IPA - World Brews

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

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

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

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

scootny

New York

3.53/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Decent IPA for the money. Looks good with a healthy head of off white foam and goodly lacing. Slightly hazy dark amber/orange with no carbonation visible. Smell has all the requisite stuff. Malt with a sweet caramel base and a nice hop compliment of pine and citrus. Taste is solid but certainly not earth shattering . Slightly light malt core nonetheless has enough caramel to support the earthy and lightly grapefruited hops. Feel is good with enough carbonation to make my tongue feel alive and happy and the weight is nice. Dry and quenching this is a great low priced alternative to BMC and there is enough quality to buy a case or two for a party and not look like a rube to your BA friends. Not bad at all.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 00:33:43 | More by scootny

AnalogReigns

North Carolina

4.58/5  rDev +45.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Beautiful appearance of a nice light crystal amber with a big frothy head, atypical of IPAs, more like that of German beers.

Nice west coast IPA hop aroma.

Very smooth well balanced classic (moderate) IPA taste. So smooth almost seems like a double IPA, and at 6.3% ABV, it's almost there too. NICE!!!

Great thick mouthfeel adds to the smooth sensation--allowing you to enjoy the hops, not be embittered by them...

Overall a really delicious IPA! SO MANY make IPAs now (I bet 90% of US craft-brewers do) I'm sure there are better, but this is a great one! I'm NOT a huge hop-head (I go for German styles)but this is a great beer, and an especially great price ($6.99 a 6er at Whole Foods). All in all a terrific go-to IPA.

The old fashioned 2 color label is cool too--in this era of way to fancy beer labels....

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 21:26:02 | More by AnalogReigns

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

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.65/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Aroma is strongly hoppy, the way a good IPA should be. It pours a clear amber with a thick, fluffy, and rather persistent ivory head. Hoppy flavor has an undertone of grapefruit, and a fair amount of bitterness. Texture has firm body and a good amount of fizz. If not an outstanding IPA, still a decent one.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 03:46:06 | More by Cyberkedi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

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

Four in Hand IPA has a rather thin, off white head and a hazy, yet brilliant, amber appearance. There is some lacing present. The aroma is of barley and some citrus, but overall, it’s very subdued. Taste is hop forward, but there is a decent malt backbone. Mouthfeel is light to medium and soft, and Four in Hand I.P.A. finishes refreshing and easy drinking. Overall, for a cheap, store-brand beer, this is not bad, and I suppose it’s worth a try.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2012 20:41:57 | More by RonaldTheriot

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

travipa

Kentucky

3.55/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

have had before. either my palate needed cleansing or inconsistent brew. pours with medium
head. puts off aroma of quality ipa. mouth of ipa. taste of malted ipa. finish of weak ipa.
at one time this ipa had a more balance of hoppiness and malt. might be a compromise.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 05:38:59 | More by travipa

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

mralphabet

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into pint glass

A: Pours light copper color... good 2 fingers worth of head that settles to a nice ring with good lacing from start to finish.

S: Very piney, with loads of citrus hops.

T: The hops hit right up front and follow thru to the end... there is a very thin malt in here but not enough to kill the hops... The flavors run from piney to grapefruit. Finish is bitter and dry... with a touch of alcohol burn.

M: Medium-bodied, crisp carbonation yet smooth on the tongue.. Puts a little coats on the tongue.

O: This is a strongly hopped IPA... If you like the hops give this one a try. The ABV is good for the style, but feels warmer than I was expecting. Good mix of flavors that I like and I'm not a big IPA guy.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 04:06:22 | More by mralphabet

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

ferrari29

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer poured from bottle into a nonic shaped pint glass

A - Beer poured with a nice looking one finger sized head; white in color; formed plenty of lacing; body has a nice copper color; very well carbonated and is clear

S - Orange; pine; citrus; hop grass scents finish off with a even keeled caramel malt back-end; slight biscuit note; very floral

T - Very heavy pine and hop taste; grass; caramel and buttered biscuit back-end; slight citrus rinse and colorful tangy feel

M - Thin but bitter; lingering bitter aftertaste; stays for a while; tangy feeling on the tongue; little too rinse and soapy for my palate; extremely effervescent

D - Overall good drink; too strong on the pine and grass flavor; could be a little less aggressive on that piece; seemed like overkill for a beer that could be very enjoyable at a great price; could be a bit less bubbly

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 04:54:34 | More by ferrari29

Crossmd

Virginia

3.83/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Sam Adams tulip pilsner. Probably 40 degrees fahrenheit.

Pours an amber copper with an off white one finger head. Tight lacing around the inside of the glass. Definitely pretty.

Smells of some dried overripe fruit, with some breads, maybe just a hint of vanilla.

There's an attack in the mouth of a hop bitterness that rides all the way through into a 30 second finish. There are some slight cream malts in the middle, but they're generally over powered. This is not really a subtle beer.

Mouthfeel is sturdy with a nice balance of texture and effervescence. Especially at this price point. Wish that it had a little bit more backbone for what it's trying to accomplish though.

Not an exceptional beer, but a good amount of flavor - even if it's not the most elegant or cohesive beer in the world. At $7 a 6, this is a steal.

88.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2011 17:42:15 | More by Crossmd

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.63/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a pilsner glass. Stamped '1311 08:19 7E'.

A: The label is excellently appealing, one of the main reasons I bought the beer. The other is that it's labelled 'crafty ale'. Pours with significant head that has moderate retention, leaving behind excellent lacing. The beer is clear, pale copper. Nice.

S: Very good. A nice combination of sweet, fruity malts and dry hops.

T: Interesting IPA. Initially it's really nice, excellent even. Biscuity-dry malts, moderate hops, a tad of fruit? But it's downhill from there. The maintaste is so brief as to be almost nonexistent, and the aftertaste, while nice, is rather plain, vaguely hopped, and grainy-beery-mehish.

M: Carbonated, foamy, pretty substantial, and rather dry.

O: Not bad, but not exceptional. Highly drinkable, especially for the price ($6.99/six-pack) and gorgeous label-art. I wouldn't recommend it, per se, but I'd have another or buy it for parties.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 04:21:13 | More by AgentMunky

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