Lucky U IPA - Breckenridge Brewery

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +36.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

No kidding - one of my CANtacts laid this on me in a CAN during a recent visit! I CAN't believe that I am the first reviewer for this serving type, but it really does exist. I am not simply padding The CANQuest (TM) numbers - if I were to do that and got caught at it, I would be beyond ashamed.

From the CAN: "A hoppy homage to a Denver landmark - the Tivoli brewery"; "Drink Up Fortuitous One"; "Breckenridge Brewery - Fine Colorado Ales".

The Crack revealed a beer that was anxious to come out and play! It was filled nearly to the brim and an instant burble of light-tan head came right up and out. I like when my beer is exciting. Equally exciting was the aftermath of the Glug as I looked at two thick fingers of eggshell-white head with great retention. Color was a slightly hazy orangish-amber. Nose was grapefruit-citrusy up front with a slight mintiness (spearmint) behind it. Oh sweet mercy, I have been jonesing for not just an IPA, but some CANned IPA and my prayers have been answered! Lucky ME! Mouthfeel was medium with an initial blast of citrusy hops accompanied by a caramel maltiness in the mouth. I began to think (again) of the Brach's Orange Caramels that my grandmother put out on the coffee table in my youth. In the meantime, the lacing began to appear and it was thick and sticky, perhaps requiring a jackhammer to get it off later. Finish was initially breathtaking in its hoppiness and cooled by the caramel flavor on the extreme finish. This was freakin' GREAT! Man, I would absolutely put some of these CANs in my cooler (if I could just find some).

For those that may scoff at The CANQuest (TM) efforts, you might take a look at my scores for this in a bottle. The CAN really allowed the hops to hold up nicely and it has caused me to reCANsider a beer that I had previously dismissed.

Serving type: can

01-15-2011 20:02:51 | More by woodychandler

metaltec15

Iowa

4.53/5  rDev +30.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I really enjoyed the hop aroma very citrus(tangerine/orange). The mouthfeel was average. The taste was very good very hoppy. A nice reddish color when poured into a tulip glass. Overall I would definitely buy this again. I was a little hesitant on this one since past experiences with Breckenridge has not been that good. They have definitely redeemed themselves with this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 02:22:34 | More by metaltec15

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.5/5  rDev +29.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a standard pint glass. The beer is a slightly hazy copper-orange color. The off-white head sticks around for a while, and there's good sticky lacing. The beer smells of crisp citrus and hops. This beer tastes bright, floral, and hoppy. It's not quite as tangy as some other IPA's. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and slightly sticky.

Overall, I think this is a very drinkable IPA. I used it as a game beer today, and the 6.2% goes down just right. A well-done IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 17:10:36 | More by JuicesFlowing

EnojysAnyBeer

Colorado

4.47/5  rDev +28.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Slightly hazy orange-amber color with a nice, soapy head that leaves some spot of lacing

S- Juicy, Stinky hops with herbal and citrus notes.

T- Really all over the hop spectrum. From light and floral to dank and herbal. The malt backbone is sugar simple and lets the hops shine

M- Smooth and filmy with low carbonation

D- I really like this IPA. Solid brew with just enough hops to be interesting and no off flavors to detract.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2010 02:56:32 | More by EnojysAnyBeer

manahansf

Indiana

4.43/5  rDev +27.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Great earthy/piney hop aroma, very pleasant. Low but ideal levels of carbonation and great dark blonde color. Smooth earthy hop bitterness flavor over a great balance of malt. Light body that drinks very nicely. The finish was very smooth and the hop flavor and bitterness stays as the beer ends with a sweet "good bye". Great beer on tap with such fresh hop flavor and aroma! Hope those flavors don't diminish too much in a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2009 00:06:50 | More by manahansf

jds1469

Indiana

4.4/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Very good IPA for the money. Picked this up in a "pick you own 6 pack" for $6 for the whole thing. Poured into a sniffer to enjoy.

A - Looked great to start with. THEN I held it up to the light. It looked like a snow globe because there was so much stuff floating around inside the glass. The beer had a great caramel color.

S - Hops, fruit, caramel and woody. Very good

T - Was great. When the beer was at 40 degrees it was a little light in the flavor, but once it reached around 50 the flavors developed quite a bit more.

M - Clean feel and very smooth.

D - All of these make for a good drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 04:11:48 | More by jds1469

jacobseyb

Alabama

4.33/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A=on tap at Breckenridge Oktoberfest...pours a nice deep copper color with ample head

S=oozes pine on the nose, crisp and bitter

T=great pine crispness and quite dry and bitter.

M=good feel, really light on the carbonation, some oiliness on the finish, light aftertaste

D=nice beer very drinkable and enjoyable, could have kept going on this all day....

Serving type: on-tap

09-21-2009 03:37:01 | More by jacobseyb

tugdriver7

Maryland

4.33/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hand carried from Breckenridge by N&E (Thanks!). Surprisingly pleasant and drinkable IPA. Orange to cloudy amber in the glass with subtle carbonation and small head (though lack of carbonation may be attributed to a high altitude plane trip). Just a hint of hops in the nose but somewhat stronger hops flavor in the first sip. Not the typical spicy hop bite I expected for an IPA but a softer, fruitier hops flavor that was immediately pleasant and easily quaffed. This would be a wonderful session IPA--especially on tap.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

01-21-2010 01:50:18 | More by tugdriver7

mdwalsh

Iowa

4.3/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Hazy orange with a large, attractive white head. Leaves a nice lace.

S: Orange and Resin, very nice. A slight, caramelly sweetness behind it.

T: Taste doesn't hold up as bold as the aroma, but still a nice citrus, maybe more grapefruit that the orange in the aroma.

M; Mouthfeel is super nice, the exact balance I'm looking for in an IPA. Perfect.

D: Pretty darn drinkable, but nt enough to make me drink only this in a night if I have the chance.

Serving type: can
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

11-02-2012 20:01:14 | More by mdwalsh

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +23.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: This IPA has bright orange color with a 2 finger soapy head, also has a hint of amber. Head dissipates dramatically, but leaves some nice lacing.

S: Aroma is of citrus hops with some pine resin. Also has a hint of honey and some sweet malts.

T: Nice bitterness upfront, some tangy orange and pine in the initial flavor with a grapefruit aftertaste. Some spice and earthy type hops present as well.

M: Very medium bodied for an IPA, very drinkable. Get all of the flavors without it being over the top.

O: I've had quite a few IPA's and this is the way the style should be. Not to mild, not too bitter. Definite balance in flavors for this beer makes it another hit for the Colorado Brewing Company!

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

07-20-2012 01:35:52 | More by SouljaSaia17

hosehead83

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +21.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a twelve ounce bottle into a Sam Adams "bubble" glass
Dark copper in color, with a nice two-inch head of foam
Aroma-Piney, citrussy hops
Taste-Full-on hops with an orange-rind bitterness,snappy and tasty
Overall, a fine example of an American IPA-A nice everyday IPA to keep in the fridge

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

10-18-2009 23:42:57 | More by hosehead83

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +21.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Saw this one sitting on the shelf in the store yesterday and have never seen it before which prompted me to take a flyer on it and pick one up. Served cold and poured into a pint glass, this one was consumed on 04/27/2010.

Nice rich orange amber pours with a big head of white foam that just sits on the top throughout the session. Really good lacing coming down the side of the glass which masks the broken crown that was across the top. Aroma is deep piney hops, hints of grapefruit and a nice mellow biscuit and buttery like aroma that really seems to pull it together quite nicely. As I take the first sip, nice waves of fresh hops roll across the tongue with ease. Very well done here I have to admit. Crisp, clean orange and grapefruit notes dominate the profile here and really pull the entire thing together very, very well. Long finish with a nice and medium drying to it that again really works for the style and gives it that little bit extra that really pushes it over for me. Nice light body and a clean finish make this very, very session able.

Overall a great example of a style from a selection I normally would have walked right past. I am very happy that I chose not too.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

04-29-2010 01:32:07 | More by mikesgroove

BeerAndBourbon

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +21.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A. Golden orange hue with a creamy white head that leaves a good amount of lacing.
S. Starts with subtle hop resin. As the beer warms, carmel malt makes an appearance.
T. Hop bites your tongue with the first sip. Once your taste buds get used to the shock, a rich malty background becomes apparent. The aftertaste is grassy and herbaceous.
M. A good consistency for an IPA, but a bit too carbonated for my taste.
D. A very sessionable brew; a great summer refresher.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

05-11-2010 21:18:12 | More by BeerAndBourbon

SkipWeathers

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +21.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very enjoyable standard IPA copper-colored with swirling whitish-cream head. Initial grapefruit-pine aroma and taste with bitter aftertaste. Somewhat lacking in the middle, slightly metallic. On the bitter end of the continuum of regular IPA's. Average mouthfeel, nothing too fizzy. Very drinkable, as the alcohol is not that high. Of course I did not like it as much as the 471, but I think that is a more premium version of this.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

03-10-2011 02:22:31 | More by SkipWeathers

thebrood1987

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Well, for an IPA there isn't that powerful hop smell you usually get from IPA's. It reminds me of the smell of Flying Fish Hopfish and Cricket Hill's IPA. You really get the sweet toffee malt the most on the smell with citrus and herbal smells in the back. You get the spicy hop taste right on the tip of the tongue along with an earthiness that mixes in well with very nice toffee tasting malts they have in this beer. I also get some wheat malt in there too. It ends with a citric bitterness a lot more hop flavor and bitterness on the taste might I add. The bitterness sticks around with a pill like bitterness just sitting on the back of your tongue.

The most unique thing about this beer is the toffee malt flavor mixing in with the citric herbal earthy hop flavors. I've never had an IPA like this and its refreshing to not have the same juicy fruity hop bomb in smell and taste. This one stands on its own. You can tell they put a whole variety of hop strains in there especially when you drink it more. The malt bill sort of reminds me of Rogue Dead Guy ale, so its a Dead guy ale with more hops. Good beer.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

07-05-2011 03:24:38 | More by thebrood1987

matjack85

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I found this single 12oz brown bottle at the Binny's in Glen Ellyn, IL for $1.59. There was no freshness date on the bottle - just a tribute to the old Tivoli Brewery in Denver.

The beer poured a slightly hazed golden/orange color probably due to the use of some wheat malt. The beer made only a half finger of white head that dissipated quickly, but surprisingly still left a lot of nice lacing.

The smell had a very appealing citrus and hop aroma.

The use of 4 different malts and 5 different hops in here makes for some really nice flavors. Grapefruit and orange peel flavors dominate, but there are also enough sweet malts in here to tame some of the bitterness. Caramel and wheat malts are the most noticeable. Then in the aftertaste a different hop bitterness (not citrus) kicks in. A very interesting IPA. I liked it.

The mouthfeel was crisp and light, but by no means watery. Plenty of carbonation to keep it refreshing.

A 6.2% abv brew, yet there is no alcohol flavor at all. You have to like bitter beers to enjoy this, but since I do, I found it very enjoyable and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

01-24-2010 03:51:17 | More by matjack85

MrHungryMonkey

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nose is very hoppy - American grapefruit with pine resin. Smells very good.

Pours a clear deep copper with a massive and lasting head. Looks great.

Smooth body ripe with oily hop resin, fresh and floral, moderately bitter, with some leafy freshness and mild pungentness. Mild malt base. Hop balance, as expected. Tastes good. Feels good. Good drinkability.

A good solid IPA. I will support the Tivoli Brewery Preservation by having another.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

10-14-2009 23:27:31 | More by MrHungryMonkey

yesyouam

New York

4.13/5  rDev +19%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Breckenridge Lucky U IPA is a very sparkling, pretty clear, amber ale with a fine, white head that fades to a film and leaves delicate lacing on the glass. It has an aroma of pine and biscuity malt. The very smooth, soft medium body has a clean, gentle finish. It has a pretty mellow flavor with a nice pine bitterness and a little caramel in the malt. I wouldn't call this an IPA so much as a nice American pale ale. It's super smooth and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

07-12-2011 17:13:38 | More by yesyouam

ZenAgnostic

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. No date found, except for an illegible, smudged string of characters on the neck.

Appearance - Cloudy amber body. Two finger offwhite head with good stick and retention.

Smell - Floral hops. Banana-like maltiness. Balanced, or leaning slightly towards the malt.

Taste - Mild, bright floral hop. Alcohol. Vague bitterness in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Light to medium bodied. Smooth. Carbonation adds some foaminess.

Overall Drinkability - Pretty legit IPA. Balanced; mild without being boring.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

11-07-2011 22:36:22 | More by ZenAgnostic

deepchills

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I bought a 6-pack of Lucky U IPA at Halls in Grapevine for $10.

Lovely copper pour with 1 inch of head. Moderate lacing during the tasting.

A great aroma of hops, sweet malts, orange and a little green grass.

A nice bitter start without overdoing it, the 68 IBU is very clean and not at all overpowering. There is also a pleasant floral character in the hopiness. The middle is spicy with lemongrass & a hint of mint. The finish is smooth, with lingering hops, citrus and caramel.

Nicely carbonated and very smooth, this IPA is a delight to drink. No hint of the 6.2 ABV.

If I were to point a finger anywhere it would be at the sweetness. I would like just a little more up front, like caramel or molasses. Otherwise I loved it and will drink it again.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

12-16-2011 01:38:25 | More by deepchills

rowew

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 12 oz longneck, label has a large horseshoe and a mention of the Tivoli preservation fund. Date code is cryptic.

Appearance: Reddish orange, thin head but good retention.

Smell: Nice hop aroma, piney and just a bit sweet.

Taste: Sticky hop flavor, medium bodied. Lots of hop flavor but not overly bitter. Nice flavors.

Overall impression: Not a bad beer - interesting flavors, and drinkable. One of the better offerings from Breck in a while.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

10-22-2009 00:28:16 | More by rowew

Brysky

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This Beer is lives up to what Breckenridge was going, a session IPA. It starts with a slight bitterness ending with a smooth hops that isn't over the top in your face. The hops are defiantly not over whelming but very nice to make this the perfect session IPA.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

07-21-2010 23:16:56 | More by Brysky

ckollias

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this 12oz bottle out of a large snifter glass.

A: Pours a clear copper hue with a thick, frothy 1-1/2 finger head that sticks around for a while leaving a nice trail down the glass before ending in a partial wispy lace.

S: Strong hoppy aroma. Very crisp and clean with some hints of lemon and other citrus.

T: Similar to the smell a very hoppy flavor crosses the palate as called for by the style. More bitter than sweet and surprising smooth.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: This is a solid IPA – very crisp and refreshing and nicely hopped. This brewery never disappoints.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

12-15-2011 02:17:48 | More by ckollias

chinchill

South Carolina

4.06/5  rDev +17%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle served in standard pint glass

A - orange-tinted amber; hazy; scant but lasting off-white head

M - medium body; nicely carbonated.

S - citrusy hops with orange tones and hint of malt

T - excellent flavor, with pronounced citrus tone, but Lucky U has low intensity hops and bitterness as well as sweeter than a typical Amer. IPA. This may disappoint those expecting a more typical or hoppy IPA but probably makes this more drinkable for many. Hop heads might want to think of this as a bold and distinctive pale ale.

Excellent. One of those beers that makes me wonder why appearance plays much of a role in the ratings.

Serving type: bottle
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

11-04-2010 22:43:21 | More by chinchill

land724beer

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

this beer starts off with a real nice pour, from the rich orange/amber color to the nice head to finish the pour. The initial taste is a pleasant citrus (again orange)and yeast taste with a touch of tropical fruit (mango or papaya). A solid body and mouth feel follow, maybe a little light that soon disipates. The finish is ok, a touch of bitterness. Overall a nice beer that is most enjoyable on a spring day.

Serving type: can
@ Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, 600 South Main Street, Breckenridge

05-07-2011 02:15:04 | More by land724beer