Freckle Belly IPA - Back Forty Beer Co.

GPHarris

Alabama

4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a - this is bottled in a 22oz bottle. poured a two-fingers thick light tan and bubbly head into a snifter that left a thin ring but billowy sheet throughout. the body was a bright amber color. good looking beer.
s - overwhelmingly grapefruit and other citrus hops.
t - grainy and bready with a hint of piney and grapefruit hops.
m - medium thickness.
o - solid AIPA and B40 is really turning out some good beers since they moved to their own brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 16:57:08 | More by GPHarris

immobileman

Alabama

4.25/5  rDev +9%

05-22-2013 20:28:34 | More by immobileman

Jonbw

Mississippi

4.75/5  rDev +21.8%

05-21-2013 17:36:04 | More by Jonbw

Bustersuess

New York

4.25/5  rDev +9%

05-14-2013 19:04:37 | More by Bustersuess

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A pretty nice IPA- new to the Atlanta area, so nice and fresh. Pours a honeyed amber with a somewhat short head. Nice aromas of pine and citrus with a somewhat sweet malt base. The taste is similar, with a really nice dose of bitterness that seems equal parts pine and citrus pith, and enough malt to keep everything balanced. My only complaint is that the finish is pretty short- it just drops off after the pleasant start. Overall, though, a very pleasant IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 02:56:44 | More by Georgiabeer

Bloodbuzz99

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +9%

04-17-2013 22:50:01 | More by Bloodbuzz99

tr9871

Mississippi

4/5  rDev +2.6%

04-14-2013 19:47:42 | More by tr9871

HoppySailor

Maryland

4.04/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This IPA is brewed about 20 miles from my hometown in Alabama. It is for that reason that I am very skeptical about it. About the only IPA I could find the last time I was back home was Torpedo from Sierra Nevada. Not that Torpedo is bad, but it was the ONLY IPA I could find at all.

When I was told about a local restaurant/brewery offering an IPA, I rolled my eyes. Upon reading some reviews here at B.A., I decided to go to Gadsden, AL and make the purchase. I remain skeptical, but here we go.

12 Ounce bottle poured into a cheap, dollar-store snifter. Bottle says "best before 5/16/13.

A- Pours a hazy copper with about an inch of off-white foam. Head starts to dissipate quickly, lacing is evident immediately. Very nice looking brew.

S- The smell is more malt than hops, with a sweet, fresh-baked bread aroma. There is a slight, and I mean slight, smell of citrus. Otherwise unremarkable for the style.

T- Oh my! The bitterness is right where you want it for an IPA. This is somewhere close to Sculpin or Bell's Two Hearted on the taste. Too bad the aroma is not as impressive. The very first thing I taste is a malty biscuit sweetness, but that is immediately replaced with bitterness of grapefruit and hops. The finish is very bitter, almost like Green Flash. This IPA is more or less a West Coast style, but Bama is on the Gulf Coast and Gadsden is in the mountains, so maybe this is a style of its own.

M- Starts with carbonation bite, but turns oily and soft before/during the swallow. Leaves a bitterness on the back of the throat that makes me feel thirsty for more.

O- I am very surprised and impressed. The last time I had a beer brewed in Alabama, it was brewed in my closet and it made a few people sick. I still have not eaten at Back Forty Beer Co, but after trying their IPA, I might just give them a shot on my next trip down from Baltimore. I hope to see this brew sitting next to DFH and Bells in Maryland sometime soon. It is a great representation of the craftmanship of the folks from back home. I am certainly glad I didnt have to trash it!

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 19:24:12 | More by HoppySailor

WDJersey

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%

04-12-2013 01:51:21 | More by WDJersey

Jacurdy60

Alabama

4/5  rDev +2.6%

04-08-2013 03:41:21 | More by Jacurdy60

slatetupelo

Mississippi

4/5  rDev +2.6%

04-08-2013 03:11:38 | More by slatetupelo

cheefdaddy1

Mississippi

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

04-04-2013 05:42:50 | More by cheefdaddy1

BeerMark

Alabama

4.75/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Took home a growler of Freckle Belly IPA from Back Forty Beer. Purchased from Hop City in Birmingham. After trying the bottled version, I was looking foward to trying the draft. All I can say is that it does not dissapoint. Freckle Belly IPA is one of the best IPA's you'll ever taste. It's malty, hoppy, and delicious. There's an oily mouthfeel with citrus notes. This beer is very drinkable. Keep up the good work Back Forty Beer! Alabama is becoming an IPA lovers paradise.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2013 02:21:39 | More by BeerMark

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

4.11/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: clear honey colored. White and frothy head. Thick messy lacing. A gorgeous brew.
Smell: 5 types of hops and it pays off. Pine, fruit, and citrus (plagiarizing from the b40 site but, that nails it. Redolent hops and nicely balanced with the malts.
Taste: much like the nose while just falling short of measuring up to it. Nevertheless, a standout.
Overall: my first b40. Tried it mostly because their "right up the road". Also I gotta admit I'm a little weary of the zillion ipa's poppin up everywhere. This was a very pleasant surprise.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 20:32:43 | More by cindyjeffsmith

Morockm

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +2.6%

03-30-2013 04:24:19 | More by Morockm

Dooleymon

Alabama

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

03-04-2013 02:19:01 | More by Dooleymon

LaurenRoark

4.25/5  rDev +9%

02-26-2013 00:51:17 | More by LaurenRoark

mhaugo

California

4/5  rDev +2.6%

02-25-2013 16:11:50 | More by mhaugo

MonkeyStain

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

02-19-2013 02:08:32 | More by MonkeyStain

JayS2629

Alabama

4.75/5  rDev +21.8%

02-17-2013 05:50:07 | More by JayS2629

maleman

Mississippi

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

A -Poured from a bomber into a pint glass dark amber with a thick, creamy, off-white, two-finger head that receded into a tight cap. Thin slick lacing.

S - Nice and hoppy with a touch of grapefruit and a bit of pepper.

T - Big ole biscuits! Pepper with a touch of tinny alcohol.

M - Medium-bodied, with a good bit of aftertaste following the aforementioned alcohol.

O - Great smelling, great looking beer that only fell slightly short of very good in the taste department due to the tinge of alcohol versus a grassy finish typical of my favorite genre.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 21:07:56 | More by maleman

CornellAquired

Florida

4/5  rDev +2.6%

02-13-2013 17:01:25 | More by CornellAquired

DoubleSimcoe

New York

4/5  rDev +2.6%

12-29-2012 21:51:44 | More by DoubleSimcoe

justinm4bama

Alabama

4/5  rDev +2.6%

12-24-2012 04:40:46 | More by justinm4bama

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark orange color with a finger of cream colored head. Leaves a small amount of spotty lacing. The aroma is mild, with some slight orange zest and sweet malts. Taste is a big step up. Crisp sharp bitterness with orange and touches of tropical fruit. Sweet malts break things up and add a touch of balance. Feel is lightly crisp, some oiliness, medium carbonation.

Overall, it's a nice, pleasant, drinkable ipa.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 21:44:11 | More by EgadBananas