Jackalope IPA - Chama River Brewing Company

beagle75

Iowa

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Draft service into a nonic glass at Chama River brewpub in Albuquerque.

7.2% abv according to the menu

A: Clear, light amber color with less than one finger of diminishing white foam head. Fine moderate lacing remains on the glass.

S: Tropical fruit is thick and ripe, suggesting premium hops. Floral qualities are also present, providing a more delicate understory layer. The hops define the smell but their intensity could be increased a bit.

T: Begins almost dry, with toasted malt and hop aromatics of sticky fruit (grapefruit flesh as well as the tropical array suggested by the smell), resinous pine, and herbal spice. Bitterness builds in the middle as most flavors recede, leaving some floral hops and a late acidic burst. The finish is totally dry and clean, moderately bitter, and gently herbaceous.

M: Thin to medium viscosity, slightly resinous and acidic on the palate, with moderate carbonation.

D/O: A compelling IPA that is hard to put down or criticize. Less sweet than Marble IPA, this IPA arguably stands a solid notch above that other beer. Most brewpubs should wish that their IPA was this solid.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2012 02:56:26 | More by beagle75

ZenAgnostic

Texas

4.18/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Clear bronze body. Offwhite head with no stick and decent to low retention.

Smell - Faint fruity pebbles. Grassy hop. Wet mulch.

Taste - Thin. Grassy hop. Excellent hop/malt balance.

Mouthfeel - Smooth. Bitey. Sparkling. Light bodied.

Overall Drinkability- Delicate, balaced, flavorful, light bodied. Excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2011 07:45:09 | More by ZenAgnostic

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.1/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap at Chama River Brewing Co, the beer was served in a pint glass. The beer is a bright, clear, orange-yellow color with a sparse, light, white head of about an inch. Smells roll off of this one, and are heavy with cedar, hops, and fresh cut grass. My mouth is watering at this point. The flavors are extremely well balanced, with citrus/grapefruit, pepper, and hops. Very smooth and full bodied. A very heavily hopped aftertaste, with a lingering spice and hoppy finish. Extremely tasty!

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2011 03:11:47 | More by GarthDanielson

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pint came with a scant finger of white head that settled quickly. The beer is a bright/clear light copper color with excellent clarity. No visible carbonation.

Aroma is fresh and light. Grapefruit, light biscuity malts. Fresh light citrus.

Flavor is rather balanced and also very fresh. Bright grapefruit, light bread. Slight green hop flavor.

Fairly light body. Effervescent carbonation brings flavor to life.

Very nice ipa.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2011 20:58:49 | More by Reagan1984

ncfrey

New Mexico

3.48/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Transcribed from notes taken 25 July, 2010 at the brewpub.

a - clear copper gold, no head

s - oddly faint for being their flagship IPA. Mostly citrus. (note at time of transcription: I had this beer with a meal, which is unusual for me, and I'm also not sure, in retrospect, to what extent I was already inebriated when I had it)

t - fairly indistinct hop bitterness. Kinda citrusy, but not a strong flavor. My guess - large 1st addition, not much after that. faint caramel. Stronger flavor but less complex than Liberty pale (note at transcription: this is the Chama River Liberty Pale, which I'd just had beforehand)

m - light and crisp

d - fairly high for the bitterness, but it probably wouldn't hold my attention for long.

Certainly not a bad brew, but I've definitely had more enticing brews here at CRBC.

Serving type: on-tap

01-04-2011 22:33:35 | More by ncfrey

Thorpe429

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. On tap at the brewpub in August 2009.

Pours a copper golden color with a nice white head and a pretty good amount of lacing. the nose is some light pine and grassy hops. A bit of floral character. The taste is mildly malty with a bit of caramel and then some good hopping in the background. Pretty good bitterness and some nice drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2010 02:29:52 | More by Thorpe429

BretSikkink

Mexico

3.88/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Coppery golden color with a nice looking head. Good retention, and some sticky rings that indicate careful brewing. Nose is strong with hops, foregoing citrics for an earthy, pine and floral combination. Quite New Mexican, really...

Hoping for more hops, I anticipated pretty much what I got. Nothing soapy or watery, but light of flavor and medium in body. Carbonation is pleasant and unobtrusive. Caramel malt is a hair more assertive than on the nose, lending a very balanced feel to Jack Rabbit.

Pushing no boundaries, this is still a well-crafted and drinkable IPA. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2010 17:18:50 | More by BretSikkink

sleazo

New York

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A_medium copper with tons of concentric lace circles.

S_slight graininess. Floral and piney hops

T_good blend of mildly sweet caramel malt with a good dose of piney hops. Slight peppery kick at the end.

M_slightly above average. Mild carbonation is nice here as well.

D_very impressed with this one. Nicely balanced and a very good example of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2008 03:04:47 | More by sleazo

walshclimb

Nevada

4.3/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served slightly cloudy, golden with 1/4" white head that leaves a spidery lace. Very nice hoppy smell with cedar, floral and a hint of citrus. Initial flavor is warm hops with bitter to floral overtones that gradually taper to medium lived herbal to grassy aftertaste. Very nice transition with a decent malt base throughout. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied and dry. This is a good IPA example. It is very tasty and drinkable. Try one! This has one of the smoothest transitions from initial flavor to aftertaste that I have ever experienced.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2007 18:52:37 | More by walshclimb

kdoc8

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at Chama River, Albuquerque. It's a 6.2%, but very similar to their golden in flavor. It had a good hops and flowery/fruity mix to the smell and taste, with a strong aftertaste of yeast. It reminded me of a pilsner. I poured deep golden-red with some head. I found it very light and refreshing and the higher alcohol content was well concealed.

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2007 00:25:24 | More by kdoc8

ruleof72

Georgia

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- medium golden color with nice head
S- citrus and grassy with distinct hops and toastiness
T- distinct hoppiness with a mildly sweet toasted malt
M- Medium bodied with good carbonation
D- Could drink this in multiples

I was impressed by this beer. It had the IPA hop flavor but not too strong. Good toasted/sweet flavor. Looked good in the glass and felt good in the mouth. Very good effort.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2006 13:04:10 | More by ruleof72

HardTarget

Texas

3.83/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Aroma: Pine and citric hop aromas dominate any malt presence. They smell fresh and juicy.

Appearance: Golden with a bone white head that laced gracefully.

Flavor: A bit of a hop assault with a good bite. Starts a touch sweet and then the acids really bum rushed me at the swallow then fade quickly.

Mouthfeel: Medium heavy body with a creamy texture and lasting finish.

Overall Impression: Good flavor, but it’s just a touch light on the hops for an IPA. That said, the flavor is really nice and the lower hops and moderate alcohol (for style) lend a very session-able quality.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2005 06:48:37 | More by HardTarget