India Pale Ale - Westbrook Brewing Co.

Netdigger2

South Carolina

4.93/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is my go-to year-round IPA. Always fresh from Greenville Beer Exchange and they just started dating the bottoms of the cans.

Pours Hazy gold with a foamy white head. Decent Lacing

Smell is slightly floral and spicy- hints of tangerine citrus and pine.

Taste is a collaboration of peppery, piney, citrus and light malts. Very hop forward and easy on the palate. It beautifully melds a bunch of American C-hop flavor characteristics without palate-wrecking bitterness.

Medium-high carbonation- lighter mouthfeel.

VERY refreshing IPA. South's closest thing to Heady Topper!

Serving type: can

11-25-2012 02:17:48 | More by Netdigger2

cdizinno

South Carolina

4.9/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Wow! I didn't really like their 1st batch back in Feb. But they have been rumored to re-formulate this IPA and I believe it!

A: Slightly hazy, deep golden color with a fluffy, one finger, white head. Moderate lacing.

S: Mild citrus hop scent.

T&M: Mildly sweet up front with a wild hoppy citrus bitterness at the back of the tongue. Flowery bouquet of hops, hops, and more hops. Beautifully balanced with a grapefruit and pine prominence.

This stuff is awesome and I definitely will actively search for this now. If you are an IPA lover, don't miss this highly drinkable gift of original flavor in IPA's.

Serving type: growler

05-31-2011 22:45:48 | More by cdizinno

HopHeadRyan

Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Decanted from can into my great lakes tumbler...

Was fortunate to come across this one while in South Carolina for a wedding...picked it up at the local Piggly Wiggly near Isle of Palms. PW had a very impressive beer selection of local, regional, international, and of course macro...they even had 6 or so beers on tap mostly local/regional...very nice job PW...

Back to Westbrook IPA...

A - hazy orange, creamy 1/w inch head, some good lacing...i love a cloudy unfiltered ipa!

S - initial crack of the can is of piney, grassy, herbacious and citrus notes...a beautiful combo...with some breathing the nose does dissapate a bit but leaves a nice sweet citrus and yeasty-bread aroma...very complex for an IPA

T - mimics the smell almost exactly with a creamy-yeastiness that you get from the unfiltered quaility...very great flavors happening here...

M - very nice smooth and creamy mouth feel, light carbonation, medium-light body.

Ovearll - An excellent IPA...a bit pricey but worth it...give this a try if you are in South Carolina or nearby! A great go too IPA and a refreshing one for spring and summer months! Cheers!

Serving type: can

04-24-2013 18:20:40 | More by HopHeadRyan

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.72/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Strongly hoppy, evergreen aroma promises a great IPA to satisfy any hop-head. It pours a smewhat hazy golden amber with a pale orange-tan head. Sipping this beer is like drinking a pine tree - it is seriously hoppy, mildly bitter, with an undertone of grapefruit. Texture is fairly fizzy and leavs a nice hoppy tingle.

Serving type: growler

03-13-2011 02:43:33 | More by Cyberkedi

HopDawg

South Carolina

4.58/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Picked this growler up directly from the Brewery. Absolutely beautiful tasting room. Felt like we were in Napa.

Can't remember exactly what we paid but it was very reasonable and well worth it.

Served in a tulip glass - reviewed with input from my awesome hop loving wife.

A: Golden - orange, slightly cloudy, beautiful bone white head

S: Really aromatic - many of the expected IPA smells - mango, watermelon bubble yum, lemon, green apple, vanilla - yet somehow more beguiling.

T: I'll admit I'm a bit of a homer, but this is just an outstanding take on a style - that while done to death - admit it - most everyone loves it. This beer immediately reminds me of my current favorite IPA - Moylan's NorCal. Huge blast of C hops - Centennial, Columbus, Chinook, Cascade - really well balanced but really tropical and juicy.

M: I'll admit - I'm never sure exactly what this means - but it feels pretty good.

D: Yeah. Oh Yeah.

Admittedly, We love a good IPA. And this one stands with the very best of 'em in my opinion.

2 months in and Westbrook is already making beer that stacks up with anything in the country. Watch these guys - they have the potential to be the Bells of the South. Man, moving in 2 months - sure are gonna miss having local beer with the quality of Coast and Westbrook.

Serving type: growler

02-20-2011 03:06:54 | More by HopDawg

bitterbeerguy

Minnesota

4.58/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Shared as an extra in recent trade- appears to be canned on 11-2

Appearance: this brew pours a hazy yellow-orange with small, white bubbles. Initially, carbonation seemed like it might be too much, but subsided very quickly. Some small bubbles still rolling up the tulip glass 15 minutes after pouring.

Smell: for anyone who likes hops, this is as close to perfect as an IPA can get without being Pliny. Heavy grapefruit and orange peel aroma. Light yeast smell. I can smell the beer from across the table.

Taste: WOW! Great flavor. Explodes with citrus hops from the minute it hits your mouth. Almost an almond finish. Carbonation is really nice for an IPA- not too much, not too little. Are they sure this is not a DIPA? Malt finish is slight compared to huge hop front end.

Overall: I would say this compares to some of the big name IPAs that are often talked about on BA. I need to get me a six-pack.

Cheers!

Serving type: can

11-28-2011 03:20:10 | More by bitterbeerguy

superdedooperboy

Georgia

4.53/5  rDev +10%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12-ounce aluminum can poured into a Duvel-branded tulip glass. Served at approximately 45 degrees F.

Pours a deep, hazy gold – and by hazy, I mean nothing gets through. The head rises all the way to the top of the glass and beyond, a fat, rich, rocky froth that slowly recedes and leaves behind huge, boulder-like patches of lace on the walls of the glass as it empties.

Loads of citrus and tropical fruit on the nose – grapefruit and tangerine take center stage, mingling with notes of mango, papaya, passion fruit and pineapple. It’s an extremely enticing aroma, and perhaps one of the best aromas in any IPA in the Southeast – if not more far-reaching than that.

Fairly light-bodied and moderately carbonated, with a touch of prickly carbonation in the mouthfeel. The palate is, similar to the nose, a citrusy affair. Tangerine and grapefruit mingle with grapefruit rind up front, melding with candied mango and a peppery spiciness in the middle, where a supporting base of biscuity malt peeks through. More fruitiness folds into the back of the palate, followed up by grapefruit rind and a powerful dryness that lingers well into the finish.

An absolutely outstanding IPA that—dare I say it!—may dethrone SweetWater’s take on the style as this reviewer’s choice of Number 1 IPA in the Southeast. Superbly drinkable and explosively flavorful, this IPA showcases hops almost like no other – and it comes in a highly portable, easily recyclable, UV-impenetrable container to boot.

Serving type: can

11-08-2012 23:55:36 | More by superdedooperboy

scottyshades

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Growler at Greenville Beer Exchange for $11

A: Pours a cloudy hop-hazed dark copper color with a big fluffy off-white cap. Retention is excellent

S: Whoa, really different from anything I'm used to...Overripe apples (almost smells like rotten apples in a good way if that makes sense), lots of citrus, and a subtle mango note. Really different nose - not "bright" by an IPAs standards, but certainly hoppy...

T: Again, rotten apples, orchard fruit, citrus, a little more mango. Very well balanced and citrusy overall. Perfecty balanced with a slight sweetness

MF/D: Great level or carbonation, medium feel, alcohol is not noticeable. Very drinkable, it really grows on you

Notes: First beer from Westbrook and certainly not my last. Absolutely awesome beer in an interesting and very different way. Highly recommended

Serving type: growler

03-06-2011 02:11:39 | More by scottyshades

bastu

Tennessee

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Canned on 11/28/11. Date is on the little cardboard can holder thing, not on the can itself.

Poured into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pint glass that I received from my 4yr old nephew for christmas.

Pours a clear golden,orange, copper, with a two finger head with lots of lacing.

Smells of citrus and tropical hops.

Taste follows the nose with a touch of malt and midrange bitterness.

Mouthfeel is slightly creamy with nice carbonation.

I think this is one of those IPAs that where the fresh hoppy goodness just fades too fast (could be batch variation too). The first time I had this it was even better, but it was 2 weeks old rather than 5. Still an excelent IPA that I'm glad I had a friend pick up 2 cases of when he was in South Carolina.

Serving type: can

01-02-2012 19:10:15 | More by bastu

NiceTaps

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz can poured into a fine stemmed tulip glass.

A- very hazy golden-orange color with a solid 1+ finger head that leaves some lacing as it fades. There is noticable sediment in the glass.

S- what a powerhouse of aroma going on: strong caramel malt, potent citrus, peach, mango, etc. You can name just about any fruit grown in the southeast and it's smell just may be in this IPA. Remarkable.

T- there is citrus, lemon and grapefruit rind, the hops build a great taste. And so do the malts, caramel sweet with a bit of dry bread or biscuit flavor.

M-medium body, silky, not thick. Beautiful balance between malts and hops. The 65 IBUs are right on; bitter hoppy finish without the burn.

O- I applaud Westbrook's effort here. This IPA stands on it's own, up to some of the most highly regarded IPAs in my judgement. Well done.

Serving type: can

11-30-2012 22:23:58 | More by NiceTaps

patre_tim

China

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Slight haze to a relatively clear copper brown beer. 2 finger head is creamy and has a slight beige tinge to it. Good lacing.

S: Smells of pine, heated hops, citrus, floral, very fragrant.

T: Wow. Very balanced in my book, with the above scents and a malt and sweetness to balance it. Not overpowering palat wreaking as some, thought the bitterness grows more bitter with a pause. Sweet floral and pine, red grapefruit and allspice come through. The flavours are complex but there is no pauses or separations, you get them all at once, followed by the bitter linger. Very delicious.

M: Medium body with a slight syrupy bitter cling to the mouth. Low to medium carbonation.

O: Love it, and feel its wonderfully balanced. A great IPA! Got it on my trip to the Carolinas to visit family, drank it with family in Canada.

Serving type: can

12-26-2012 00:57:18 | More by patre_tim

zac16125

South Carolina

4.48/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz can poured into a tulip

no born on date or other distinguishing numbers
Written from notes on 2/12/2012

A: Pours a hazy light amber with a huge 3+ fingers width of sea foam white head, which is dense and takes forever to dissipate down to a level that allows drinking. Leaves a very good amount of lacing all the way down the glass.

S: A big citrus hop aroma; nectarines, orange, peach, mango, grapefruit, and lemon lime. Some piney hop aromas as well. Wow, what a scent.

T: Significantly maltier than the aroma implies. Pale malts up front with some citrus hops on the backend. Touch of piney hop bitterness as well. Initially, the hop characters are not as prevalent as the aroma would suggest, but as it warms other hop flavors come out to take over the malt character that was initially dominant. Of note there are flavors of orange, lemon zest, mango, and grapefruit. Delicious.

M/D: Smooth, medium bodied with an appropriate level of carbonation and good drinkability.

O: From beginning to end this is great IPA. Certainly worth a try if you can get a hold of it. I highly recommend.

Serving type: can

02-16-2012 02:10:56 | More by zac16125

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz can to tulip. Code 11020A2BM. Many thanks to rbradley for the extra and the fantastic box altogether. Sampled 4/14/12.

A: A steady streaming pour produces 1 finger of off-white cap with above average retention. The head lays down a nearly complete sheet of lace, while subsequent sips add half rings to the far end of the glass. The body is a medium dark shade of rustic orange and 100% opaque.

S: While there is no date on the can, it's clear from the nose that this beer is pretty darn fresh. Hops abound, featuring a bright citrus orange backed by freshly cut pine wood. The malt character stays out of the way for the most part and adds a layer of caramel sweetness, providing a nice base for the hops to remain the vibrant feature.

T: Orange and pine hop flavors stand proudly above the malt foundation. The mild sweetness is easily offset by the dryness on the end. Sixty IBUs counters the malt sweetness perfectly. The balance of flavors is flat-out impressive.

M: Medium body with a creamy texture and gently tingling effervescence, which allows the beer to roll comfortably over the tongue. The finish leans dry, is appropriately crisp and begs another sip.

O: Westbrook has managed to pack a lot of flavor into this 6.8% ABV brew. If I had to change one thing though, it would be to lessen the caramel aroma & flavor. That is nit-picking, of course, because it isn't very prevalent to begin with - and the beer is already amazing as-is. This is one well-constructed and supremely drinkable IPA.

Serving type: can

04-14-2012 18:03:40 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

AleWatcher

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

I had a few of these on tap at The Salty Dog the other night and really found myself enjoying them. I knew I had to grab a sixpack and review it.

Can into nonic pint.

A glowing fireball of orangey gold with perhaps some light amber/auburn hues if the light hits it just right. Thick, foamy, sticky, three-fingers of off-white head hold a surpriaingly nice retention and leave some thick curtains of lacing behind. This really looks great.

Smells great too-- a dry biscuity malt underneath a pleasant citrus hop attack. Lots of citrus hops, with a little floral and pine to boot.
The flavor follows suit... Decent bitterness, but not overwhelmingly bitter. The hops have been used for aromatics and flavoring, and done so quite well if I do say so. The finish dries out a bit which is nice, but as it warms I detect a slight booziness.

Feels is good-- medium, malty, little oily, dry bitter finish. The malts do a great job balancing the hops, and while I find this beer hoppy, I wouldn't say it is the hoppiest... But it also isn't overly malty-- it just found that perfect balance.

The only complaint is that the ABV is pretty high... A bit too high to be a good session beer, but this is quite good nonetheless.
I'm truly surprised that this beer doesn't get more praise.
Well done Westbrook. Well done indeed.

Serving type: can

09-26-2012 00:56:18 | More by AleWatcher

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wanted to start going back and retrying some of my first reviews, figured I would start here. Poured a nice hazy amber with a big off white frothy pillow like head. Nice slow fade and good visible carbonation gave an always great look. Big citrus hop profile, orange, tangerice, pineapple express, mixed with a bit of a pine resin feel. Some decent malt balance to be found as it warmed. The flavor always hits the spot here again. This is just such a nice well rounded hopped up session beer. Just great all around and never really have a bad thing to say about it. Its the 90mins little brother and rightfully deserving of its spot next to it. Great Brew!

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2011 02:40:32 | More by mikesgroove

bum732

Maryland

4.46/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

S: Very fresh-cut grass like, resiny hoppiness, intense, candy-like grapefruit, pine with a prominent malt aroma in the background.

L: Hazy dark burnt orange. White creamy head that dissipates. Ok lacing.

T: Big malt backbone followed quickly by a grassy, fresh hoppiness. Medium, grassy bitterness, quite smooth. Grapefruit peel and fresh cut grass hop taste with some pine. Has a very bisquity maltiness, but not heavy or masking the hops. Finishes dry with some resin.

M: Medium full body, refreshing, medium carbonation.

A very unique IPA, but i loved it. Loved the grassiness with the grapefruit/pine, almost had a negroni taste to it. Malt backbone elevated the without being dentrimental, rare in an IPA. A must try.

Serving type: can

04-05-2013 01:39:24 | More by bum732

Damian

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Drank on-tap at Hominy Grill, Charleston, SC
Served in a pint glass

Nearly clear, orangey-amber in a appearance. The liquid was topped by a small, short-lived cap of creamy white froth. Spotty drips of lacing trickled down the glass.

The nose was quite hoppy and complex. Tropical fruit notes came through strong. Mango and papaya were most noticeable. Lots of candied orange peel as well. The hops melded well with the pale malt base. Nicely balanced.

The flavor profile was also hoppy and smooth, albeit a bit more crisp and bitter than the nose. The beer started somewhat sweet and fruity up front. Tropical fruits were again apparent. Spicy in the center. Orange peel came through on the back end. The finish was moderately bitter and dry with strong notes of grapefruit rind.

The mouthfeel was quite impressive. Super creamy, frothy and silky smooth. Pillowy soft with a fine, medium carbonation.

One of the owners at the Charleston Beer Exchange told me about this new brewery and I am very glad he did. If their other beers are on a similar level to their IPA, I definitely see bright things in their future.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2011 21:52:01 | More by Damian

nrpellegrini

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A lot of American IPA's today are going crazy... 100+ IBU's and 8%+ ABV. And I love it! But its also nice to have a more traditional style American IPA instead of a beer that calls itself an AIPA when it should be a DIPA.

I think I found one of my favorite American IPA's

Appearance is golden amber with a thick white head that stays and laces throughout consumption. Smells of citrus hops, some orange and lemon. The taste is so smooth. Just bitter enough and then sweet malt flavors cut it to provide a great session IPA. Still orange, lemon, and hop bitterness is present but controlled by the sweet 'bready' malts. It goes down perfectly. This beer has body, full and creamy.

I need more of this.

Serving type: can

01-30-2012 18:02:51 | More by nrpellegrini

brentk56

North Carolina

4.45/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a clear amber color with a massive head that leaves a lots of lace sticking to the pint glass

Smell: Are we in a pineapple plantation or what?

Taste: Pineapple and other typical fruit, including grapefruit, mango and lemon; the malt acts as a platform upon which these tropical flavors can strutt their stuff

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation

Overall: This has to be one of the top everyday IPAs on the market today; just mashes all the buttons on my book

Serving type: can

03-08-2012 02:21:31 | More by brentk56

avalon07

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Got this one on-tap at Oak Barrel Taproom. Had a golden brown color and a slightly cloudy consistency. There was an inch of foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Pretty good lacing.

S: A big, robust smell of hops, citrus, malt, and some caramel.

T: Tasted of hops, citrus (grapefruit?), a hint of caramel, and some malt. A lot like a West Coast IPA. Nicely complex and very flavorful.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a somewhat slick finish. Light- to medium-bodied.

D: An extremely easy to drink - and drinkable American IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2011 13:34:46 | More by avalon07

CBlack85

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

poured from a 12 oz. can into a New Belgium globe glass.

The beer is a hazy amber/orange color with a big off white head that recedes quickly leaving behind sheets of lacing that cover the glass.

The nose is big on citrusy hops. A terrific aroma. Tangerine, peach, pineapple and grapefruit makeup the nose. Not much going on in terms of maltiness, but this clean fragrant hop aroma is all thats needed.

The taste is big and hoppy. The flavor is full of orange and grapefruit with hints of pineapple and peach. The malty base of this beer is small and nearly imperceptable, barely big enough to make its presence known, but not enough to detract from the focus of the beer. The beer finishes slightly bitter, and not quite as dry as I would like. Medium bodied and well carbonated, smooth mouthfeel and fairly easy to drink.

A really well crafted IPA, very smooth and inviting. Definately one of my new favorite IPAs.

Serving type: can

01-20-2012 01:14:15 | More by CBlack85

cosmicevan

New York

4.43/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

New craft bar opened 5 minutes from my house today so stopped in to check it out. Westbrook ipa on draft! Brew was served in a gsb pint glass. Nice murky orange with a thin head. Smell is spot on, great balance of citric dankess and soft tropical fruit notes. Taste matches the nose. Not overbearing hoppines. Everything is in the right place. Terrific beer. I think i may need another. Cheers westbrook, great ipa. Can hold its own with the big boys.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2013 00:24:38 | More by cosmicevan

haddon

Kentucky

4.38/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

served in oversized snifter at Bomboras on HHI, SC.

pours a warm golden glow with a nice frothy head. lacing all over the place.

smells of floral bouquet, orange peel & sour apples and a slight peppery bite.

this is a nice beer. citrus explosion that presents as grapefruit, orange & green apples. Puckering bitterness that hangs a while on the aftertaste.

medium body with a good amount of carbonation. little dry feel with a sour and bitter finish. just like I enjoy my IPA's.

this is a good beer. most of the time you have to get into a DIPA to get into this kind of depth. at 5.6% abv, could drink this bad boy all day long.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2011 18:06:27 | More by haddon

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a can into a Firestone Walker tulip glass. Pours a very hazy, cloudy, nearly opaque orange. Haven't seen anything like this since I had Troeg's Scratch 58 Mango Triple IPA. The nose on this is very nice. Good malt presence with some nice hops, citrus, and a touch of pine. The taste is very well balanced too, if not a shade on the malty side of the spectrum. The citrus is present again, which I rather enjoy in my IPA's. The mouthfeel is real nice. There's a nice bitter bite to it, but otherwise it's smooth. Overall, this is a well done IPA indeed. Glad I could try it.

Serving type: can

03-22-2012 22:41:18 | More by Retail1LO

Duff27

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Pour reveals an inch tall white dense head on a somewhat hazy copper beer. Clumptastic lacing and well above average head retention.

S- Gives of a very pleasant citrus aroma, mangoes?

T- Sweet citrus on the forefront. Hops dominate malt in this offering. Very bitter on the tail-end of each taste. Drinks it's stated ABV.

M- Medium to medium thick mouthfeel for the style, well carbonated.

D/O- An IPA that will certainly get a mention with those at the top of the pile once it get more reviews. Awesome that I got a chance to try this up-and-coming IPA from Westbrook.Thanks a ton to johntangus for this great local extra!

Serving type: can

01-03-2012 00:57:43 | More by Duff27