Union Jack India Pale Ale - Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Dave1999

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours a transparent amber with a white foamy head.

The smell is full citrus hops, strong oranges and grapefruit.

The taste is similar to the smell, citrus hops, a little bitter.

The mouthfeel is smooth with medium carbonation.

Overall this was a great citrusy hoppy ipa, a fantastic example.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 04:31:44 | More by Dave1999

jaz58

Ontario (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I'm a big fan of IPA's and this is a classic.

Enjoyed in a clear pint glass.

A nice cloudy appearance. Reddish orange colour.

Great hints of citrus, lemon and grapefruit on the nose.

Clean hops with grapefruit finished with a good bitters. Not in your face.

A good mouthfeel. Balanced.

Serving type: growler

03-24-2013 22:20:58 | More by jaz58

NiceTaps

New Jersey

4.49/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

From a growler (that was tapped tonight, right in front of me as I waited), poured into a beer temp pint glass.

A- Clean and clear golden- copper color, some gently rising bubbles. Every pour resulted in a massive milk-white colored head that would not quit and left the finest quality thick lacing.

S- Pine, fresh green grass, and lots of citrus hops. The aromas vary as the beer warms, just like they should in a top-notch IPA.

T-All those hop flavors are there, but hold the phone, here come the malts. The malt backbone delivers some sweet caramel and a touch of breadiness.

M-Oily, resinous, yet clean and crisp. Lots of body with a surprisingly mellow finish...for a moment...then the hop zest, not very bitter.

O-A real deal American IPA on the fuller side, yet drinkable, even at 7.5% abv.

Serving type: growler

03-23-2013 01:10:29 | More by NiceTaps

Tchfunkta

Kentucky

4.3/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a bright golden color with pale copper tones

S: Piney hop hits the nose.

T: Slightly malty. Sweetness pokes through but it is subtle and not caramel or crystal in nature. Slightly resinous pine hop flavor plants itself firmly mid tongue, just in time to cover up any boozyness.

M: A little carbonation pop hits your mouth, slowly taken over by a moderate body.

O: Nicely restained hops characters only slightly overpower a mildly sweet malt character.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 04:22:00 | More by Tchfunkta

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.41/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours a slightly cloudy, dark golden orange color with tangerine edges and a two finger frothy white head that slowly settles into a lasting collar. Very good retention with rings and streaks of soapy lacing left behind.

Slightly earthy floral hop aroma that's bursting with tropical and citrus fruit sweetness before being countered by subtle sweet malt backbone. Dank, oily and resinous with fresh buds and grassy pine followed by hints of grapefruit, mango, pineapple and orange peel. Slight caramel malt presence with toffee, biscuit and graham cracker. Very inviting.

Medium bodied with a perfect balance of dank, sticky hop bitterness, sweet citrus/tropical fruit notes and a sweet malt backbone. Dry, earthy bitterness up front with a spicy/grassy flavor along with pine needle and alpha acids. This is countered mid-palate by a juicy tropical and citrus hop flavor with notes of blood orange, grapefruit, pineapple and mango. The perfect amount of fruit sweetness without taking away from the bitterness. Decent malt backbone balancing things out without interfering with the hops. Subtle caramel sweetness along with toffee, bread, biscuit and graham cracker. A little heavier and a touch more malt than most west coast IPAs but its perfectly balanced without losing the delicious, complex hop flavor. Exemplary for the style.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 07:07:58 | More by corby112

fx20736

New York

4.45/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

poured from a 12 oz bottle into a nonic, served at fridge temp.

appearance: hazy, semi transparent lemon yellow with active carbonation and a 3 finger linen white head. more than abundant, gorgeous lacing

aroma: awesome blend of fruitiness; papaya, peaches in syrup

mouthfeel: a little on the thin side.

taste: great blend of fruit juices; pineapple, papaya and a splash of grapefruit.

notes: one of the best IPA noses I have smelled since Flower Power or Celebration. Very nice flavor profile. definitely seems like a strong English IPA to me. Alcohol seems well hidden. this is a pleasure to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 05:46:22 | More by fx20736

TaySuth

California

4.3/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Serving Type: Poured from a 22oz bottle into a pint glass. Bottled on 7/13/12.

Appearance: Hazy, light amber color with a nice white head that slowly dissipates into a thin film with moderate lacing. Nice but not overly impressive.

Smell: Huge punch of aroma. Grapefruit and orange dominate with a nice pale malt aroma in the background. Very impressive.

Taste: Extremely well balanced IPA. Citrus dominates from the hops and is backed up by a delicious pale malt backbone. Very bitter with a smooth finish. Absolutely excellent.

Mouthfeel: Medium body. Semi-dry. Medium to high carbonation. All around great for this style and beer.

Overall: Excellent, excellent beer. An absolutely go-to for IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 02:05:01 | More by TaySuth

rringler

California

4.14/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: A slightly hazy, dark straw/light amber appearance, with a thick one and a half to two fingers of slightly off-white, medium-bubbled head, that laces well. Clarity seems to be about middle of the road with this one.

S: Moderately malty, but with some pine resin, fruits, and hoppy aromas.

T: Starts malty as it smells, but then things get weird; I notice some additional sweetness (though more like fruit than caramel) before a mild hop finish. It's the mid/late sweetness that is confusing my tongue. Covers the 7.5% alcohol well though; no boozy taste.

M: Medium to medium- thickness. A little slicker, but perhaps that's because I've been drinking DIPAs lately. Carbonation is great.

O: Interesting IPA. The hops don't quite assault your tongue like a DIPA, yet it keeps things interesting by deviating from the malts->caramel->hops formula of a lot of IPAs/DIPAs. It's an interesting change of pace, but not a staple for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 05:05:17 | More by rringler

TheSixthRing

California

3.99/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Re-review. Bottled date of 12/27/12

Appearance - Pours a clear, bright orange amber, white finger width head, Good retention. Fair, sticky lacing on the glass.

Smell - Spicy, hoppy pine aromas. Touches on grapefruit. Strong bready, sweet caramel malts in the background.

Taste - Follows the nose. Hits on pine hop at first, with lesser notes of grapefruit. Sweet bready and caramel malts provide a strong, complementary backbone and shine mid-taste before fading near the finish, leaving a mild citrus pith aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Medium body. Moderate carbonation leads to a decent bite. Smooth. Goes down easy enough.

Overall - My tastes have certainly changed. What I once thought was an okay IPA, I know find quite enjoyable. While I'm still not sold on pine forward IPA's, I'm now able to look past that dominant aspect and take in the lesser characters of the beer. I think this is a beer I'll be drinking more of as time rolls on.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 05:44:33 | More by TheSixthRing

champ103

Texas

3.73/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear deep orange color. A tightly packed, pillowy, white head forms with excellent retention. Rings of spiderweb lace clings to the glass.
S: Hops, lots of them. Grapefruit rind, resiny pine. Grapefruit dominates.
T: Again, lots of hops. A get a bunch of grapefruit rind again. Resiny pine, oily and a lingering bitterness that is a bit to prevalent for me.
M/D: A medium to full body. Moderate carbonation. A bit to oily for me. I wish it was a bit more crisp. Not hard to drink. Though the alcohol is strong, along with the large bitterness. Which for me detracts a bit.

Certainly one for the hop head. This is a very good beer, just no for me. I do like it. Though surprisingly I love Double Jack. I think that has more tropical fruity and juicy flavors than Union Jack. Which is what I like more than the large and lingering bitterness here. Still enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 03:42:23 | More by champ103

dar482

New York

4.6/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A very light amber color. It has a decent amount of head and a good hop aroma.

Drinking it, it reminds me a ton of the Double Jack, but with more subtle flavor and much, much less bitter and alcohol notes. It tastes almost subdued with that comparison. By it’s own however, it has a great well balanced round flavor. It starts off with grapefruit and then splashes you with a bit of a bitter grassiness.

It has a light to medium mouth feel. It moves off the tongue very well. It’s so extremely drinkable that it reminds me of almost an extremely hoppy pilsner. It has a fantastic gentle complexity and is one of the most sessionable and wonderful to drink IPAs.

Update: Having getting into so many IPAs and DIPAs, this really hits where I want a drinkable IPA to be. It has a huge wonderful malt backbone along with that wonderful bitter strong upfront grapefruit. One of the best IPAs around.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 05:11:23 | More by dar482

SolipsismalCat

Pennsylvania

4.41/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Clear golden yellow with two-finger, white, foamy, creamy head that lasted a long time. Fantastic lacing.

S: Citrus and pine hops.

T: Moderate sweetness and solid hop bitterness. Fresh citrus hops, orange, pine.

M: Medium bodied with lively carbonation. Smooth and warm going down.

O: I really like Double Jack, so I was excited to give this a try. Was not let down. Great IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 02:33:38 | More by SolipsismalCat

rickyleepotts

Arizona

3.56/5  rDev -17%
look: 2.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

We didn't plan on reviewing two beers today, but when I tore off a page in my daily beer calendar, we didn't have a choice. As I was standing there trying to figure out what beer we were going to review today, I was trying to decide between Racer 5 and Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA. Sure enough, I picked Racer 5 only to find Union Jack IPA on the calendar! So I figured we would review two beers today. The Racer 5 is an American IPA and the Union Jack is… an American IPA. It will be fun to see how they stack up and how they compare. I already know I LOVE the Racer 5, so I am curious to see what the Firestone tastes like. I have had it before, but I spend more time focused on the limited release beers from Firestone Walker. We have a bottle of Sucaba (formerly known as Abacus) in the fridge, too! Oh, and a few bottles of their Anniversary Ale in the cellar. As a matter of fact, we are headed (thanks to Dakine) to a tapping of the Anniversary Ale at the Skeptical Chymist soon.)

I might like hops, but reviewing two of these in one day might be too much. Good luck tasting dinner! If you like hops, toady is your lucky day here on 1001 Bottles!

In the Glass: Sheryl said, "This looks like the last one." It does… sort of. This isn't as impressive in regards to color, but the head is sticking around for a few minutes. It also produces a much thicker/heavier lace. I like a beer that laces well. Is that the right way to say that? Anyway, the beer appears thinner in the glass, but the head is getting me excited.

Nose: That is what an IPA should smell like! I like beers that have a lot of citrus in the aroma, but this guy smells like the woods. I am talking pine cones, dirt, musk, and more. There are two major types of India pale ales… I sometimes have a hard time picking a favorite. I am really digging the aroma on this one, though. Firestone Walker has made a name for big barrel aged beer, but hopefully their IPA will impress me.

Flavor: There are too many bubbles up front, and the finish is too thin. But that is more mouthfeel than anything. The flavor is weak on the front of the palate, and then the expected American IPA hop flavors take over toward the back of the tongue. As with the Racer 5, you would never know this has such a high ABV. Yesterday I was talking with someone that ages a few bottles of IPA each year. They are low ABV beers, too. He said they get better with time. With an ABV this high, maybe time would mellow down the flavors and the bubbles would subside. For me, this is too carbonated to really enjoy.

Mouthfeel: The first thing to hit your mouth is bubbles. From the second this goes in, bubbles take over. Then it mellows out on the back of the tongue, but at first you don't expect so much carbonation. The finish is nice, as it begins to mellow, it doesn't become thick… but it becomes drinkable. The aftertaste is my favorite part about this beer.

Aftertaste: The dryness starts as soon as you swallow, but not as dry as the Racer 5. It has a nice subtle dryness that reminds me of a handful of rye beers I have recently had. As you swallow, the aftertaste morphs into an earthy flavor that some might dislike. It's coming from the hops, and offers no citrus notes… just that musky flavor that I was smelling earlier.

This is a good IPA, but not one I would order again unless it was the only thing on tap besides Bud Light. There are a lot better beers out there in this stye. I will just stick to the big BA beers from Firestone Walker. Oh, BA means barrel aged. Sorry!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 22:07:29 | More by rickyleepotts

57md

Pennsylvania

4.39/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Appearance is light copper with a thin layer of head that leaves some lacing behind. The nose is distinctly of fresh hops. You can tell immediately there is going to be no skimping on flavor here either. Drinks more like a DIPA than a single especially considering the body and hoppiness (particularly in the finish).

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2013 06:36:47 | More by 57md

vkv822

Oregon

4.16/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz : tulip
bottled on 12/12/12

Clear, bright copper with a thick, foamy off white head and nice lacing.

Bright citrus, piney hops.

Citric, grapefruit hops with a lightly sweet, toasty malt backing.

Medium+ body with foamy carbonation.

A well done IPA. For whatever reason I always passed this one up when buying beer, but I am quite happy that I finally decided to pick it up. Something I would purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 09:26:40 | More by vkv822

obrike

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Had this one on tap at Homefield Grill in Round Rock...got a free Firestone Walker pint glass to boot!

Slightly hazy pale orange with a one finger thing white head. Retention was decent and there was a bit of spider web lacing.

Getting a ton of grapefruit, citrus, and tropical hop aromas. There's a bit of sugary malt as well, but the fresh hops dominate. Smells incredible.

Taste follows scent perfectly. Fresh grapefruit balances well with the sweet biscuity malt. A bit of a sticky feel too... medium carbonation...almost feels more like a DIPA. The finish is long bitter and very dry. Easily one of the best IPA's I've ever had.

So very thankful to have this one in Texas. It will be a staple of mine.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2013 14:13:42 | More by obrike

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

4.3/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A - pours a crystal clear vibrant orange. A heavy handed pour results in over three fingers of thick bubbly white foam. Decent retention but does fade to a bit of film and a thin white ring around the glass.

S - the nose is bright, fruity and herbaceous. Lots of sweet citrus mostly bitter orange peel with a touch of grapefruit pith. Hints of grass and pine as well as a sort of stalky vegetal character. All come together on a sweet honeysuckle malt character.

T - sweet honeyed malt character. Crisp citrus flavors in the center, mostly orange pulp. Leafy greens. Snappy grapefruit rind bitterness on the backend of the palate along with a touch of pine.

M - medium bodied. Medium carb.

O - an excellent india pale ale. Delicously balanced even though it is essentially a hop bomb.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 03:28:34 | More by Teleweizen2

andrew300

California

3.98/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled on: 10/25/12

A: light golden with medium off white head that retains well with good lacing. Brilliant clarity with medium bubbles

S: medium citrus and fruity hops (tangerine,mango,grapefruit) along with low grassy hops. Low bready malt in background. No dms or diacetyl.

T: medium high citrus hop flavor with some pine and resins. Nice balance of hop flavors. low bready malt gives a nice foundation for the hops. Medium bitterness for style that stops short of being assertive and balances the beer. Slightly dry, clean finish.

M: medium body with low-medium carbonation. Slightly creamy, no astringency, low alcohol warmth.

O: even being a few months old, this IPA was very enjoyable. It has everything I look for in an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 01:45:27 | More by andrew300

arfenhouse

California

4.26/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: Dark copper with white head. Decent sized head.

S: Pine mixed with some caramel sweetness. Grapefruit and sweet fresh tropical fruits. Mango, pineapple, and a bit of papaya.

T: Begins with a caramel and sweet bread malt. A big dose of the biter grapefruit followed by the tropical fruits. Aftertaste is bitter-sweet mainly comprised of tropical fruits. Well balanced and very drinkable.

M: Medium-full bodied with low carbonation. Fine carbonation and smooth feeling.

O: Solid, well balanced IPA. Good amount of hop bitterness. Very good single IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 07:59:14 | More by arfenhouse

themind

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Firestone smacks a homerun with Union Jack IPA. Beer pours a nice firm head and goes down smooth. Flat out enjoyable IPA. Do I think it's an elite level IPA...it's close. I had this and chased it with a Pliny, while the Jack falls short of the king it's still a high quality offering from Firestone.

Bottom Line: Like IPA's? well you gotta try this one!

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 19:52:05 | More by themind

RaulMondesi

California

3.2/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

*Raul wasn't too stoked on coming home and seeing that the beer was bottled on 10/31/12. But what could Raul do?

Another malty, bitter IPA. Raul ain't stoked. Raul ain't stoked at all. Mouthfeel? Definitely syrupy on the tongue. Not Aunt Jemima on my Roscoe's Chicken and waffles syrupy, but Raul isn't into it.

Raul isn't struggling, but he ain't pumped.

Peace!

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 06:03:13 | More by RaulMondesi

deebo

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pint #2 at Brophys tavern in Carmel

A-a clear brew with a creamy white head that laces the pint glass. Color is a deep golden with copper tint

S-hop city. Aromas of those NW US hops especially grapefruit with some juicy tangerine. A biscuity malt aroma hidden in there as well.

T-much like the smell. Ample hops carried with a significant malt backbone

M-Big bodied with a fair level of carbonation. End note is aromatic hoppiness with a hint of bitterness

O-a solid beer. My first Firestone Walker and not disappointed. The epitome of a west coast IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2013 04:38:59 | More by deebo

Bernardkowalski

5/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Absolutely one of my favorite beers!! honestly can go good with anything, but you are better off enjoying this beer by itself. it has so much too offer, such great combination between the yeast and malt's making this an outstanding brew. you can put this on my list of top beers.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2013 00:37:50 | More by Bernardkowalski

Chaz33187

California

4.08/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

On tap at the The Loft on the LMU Campus

a- golden/ translucent

s- typical southern california piny/citrus magic

t- has that initial clean american ipa hit, but has a lingering 50/50 maltiness/bitterness after taste, that detracts from it. If it's ice cold you probably won't notice it, but if you take your time with this beer, the bitterness in your mouth builds up and it's less desirable. It's relatively well-balanced though.

m- thin until it hits your lips then fizzes

o- It hints at that magical california ipa genre, (Pliny, Hop Ottin', Sculpin), but eventually it goes bitter and is a one glass pony.

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2013 01:05:02 | More by Chaz33187

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A stunning American IPA. This bomber was purchased at the brewery in November, a visit I’d highly recommend!

Pours a clear and oily amber, with limited white head, but good retention on the little that exists. Brilliant aroma of grapefruit and piney citrus, with a mild toffee backbone. Those caramelized malts are present in the start of the taste and support a nice body, but hops totally takeover after the first microsecond. Citrus, tropical fruit and all the wonder associated with "west coast" varietals. Finishes with a biting bitterness that lingers for an impressive length of time, and only a hint of the 7.5% ABV warmth at the very end.

Thank-you Firestone Walker - a brewery whose products I'd seek out again wherever possible.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 01:01:52 | More by hopsolutely