The Kind IPA - Three Heads Brewing

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

amber tone, huge clarity, and lots of carbonation trickling up from the bottom of the glass. A nice hree finger head of sticky white foam came across the top and settled down to just a thin film after a few minutes. Nice side glass lacing.

The aroma was nice and hoppy. Good tones of grassy, herbal goodnes, with hints o pine and light citrus. Nice smooth, light mouthfeel with awesome carbonation really lifted it through. The taste started out nice and bitter with a good amount of light orange notes. Great finish on this one with a great clean,crisp finish and a really nice long lasting dry finish with a good hop bite at the end.

OverallI thought this was really great. A very nice, light hight quality sessionale that I really enjoyed.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 15:18:09 | More by mikesgroove

Thorpe429

Illinois

2.63/5  rDev -29.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

On tap at the Chapter House in Ithaca this past weekend. Served in a pint glass.

Pours a very cloudy light orange color with a thick white head that stood around for quite awhile before falling into a thin cap. Nice spotty lacing on the sides of the glass. The nose brought a pretty strong dose of citrus, but as it warmed there was a strong tannic grain character that was not pleasing. The flavor suffered the same fate, starting out with a nice citrus hop profile, but folding in to taste like raw grain and stale crackers. Very unfortunate as I enjoyed what was done with the hops. Body was dry and tannic. Unfortunate.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2011 13:44:53 | More by Thorpe429

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle: Poured an amber color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of citrus and piney notes is quite dominant with some semi-sweet caramel malt notes also distinguishable. Taste is also a balanced mix between some citrus and piney notes with some residual sugar and caramelized malt also noticeable. Body is quite full with good carbonation. More floral hoppy notes would have helped provided further enjoyment of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2012 18:49:11 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A tasty IPA that has the heightened malt profile that's more common in Imerpial IPA's. But the citrus and pine hop flavors are undenyably classic IPA.

Starting with a medium copper color and medium haze, the beecr releases a dense froath of off white foam that retains well after reducing to heavy pockets of foam and an otherwise even sheet across the surface. Leaving intermitten patterns of lace along the glass gives a lasting impression of a well made IPA.

Citrus and pine note fill the nose with a sharp and crisp scent. A background of caramel and sweet breads back the hops while giving a vibrant sweet scent that keeps the hops from seeming overly vegetal or grassy, also while bringing out a fruity ester note that complements the fruity hop aromas well.

Stronger than usual malt flavors give a robust flavor of caramel, fresh baked breads, and malty sweetness that act as a great counterpart for hops. Citrusy notes of white grapefruit pulp and orange zest while resiny notes of pine and freshly cut herbs and grasses blend for a zesty and refreshing fruit flavor early and gripping bitterness late. With no real flaw in flavor, the only hiccup is a balance toward malts that prevent the hops from becomming the showcase that they need to be. Sweetness of malts though, help to bring a life to the yeasty esters of appricot and peach while bridging them with the hop flavors early in taste.

Robust in mouthfeel, the beer accompanies more malty textures along with the bolder malt flavor. This causes more creaminess early and and extended viscocity into mid palate and even a late linger in finish rather than becomming drier earlier and allowing for ultimate crispness late. Finishing malty-dry with a hop bite and alcohol warmth, the beer seems to share ground with Imperial IPAs.

A very good IPA that seems more of an East Coast style or Midwest style with a malt flavor and body that offers substantial balance for the hops. If you favor these more balanced IPAs over the drier and more hop balanced versions then this one is very favorable.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 03:30:10 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a nonic a clear lighter to medium golden with fluffy one finger bone white head that clung to the glass leaving one full ring of lace behind as it settled slowly.Resiny and leafy/herbal hops are big in the nose along with biscuit dough-like malt.Dry and pretty bitter like the bottle says,its bitterness is the main component of the beer,not much citrus and pine like most of the style,a dryer crisp malt base leaves the beer without to much sweetness wich is fine with me.If you like bitter this is your kinda ipa,I like it and would get it alot if I could around here.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2011 01:49:09 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Lagunitas mason jar.

Thanks to Vav for this bottle!

Also, sorry about that other bottle, my man... On to business: This stuff pours a clear brass topped by a finger of lightly off-cream-white foam. The nose comprises orange rind, fluffy toffee, earthy greens, and a touch of lemongrass. The taste brings in more of the same, but with brighter orange and a hint of oak bark. The additions really help to round things out. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a generally fluid feel. Overall, a pretty nice IPA, one I could easily see having again, though not necessarily with any intense enthusiasm.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 04:05:49 | More by TMoney2591

WesWes

New York

4.2/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a hazy gold color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is outstanding. It has a basic pale malt scent along with a killer piney hop nose. It's bitter and so fresh. The taste is much the same. It's light and easy drinking with a monster hop character. It's bitter up front and lasts through to the finish. The malt bill is basic, yet balanced. It goes down easy and finishes with a lingering hoppiness. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good IPA. The hops dominate like a good IPA should. It's smooth and highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 23:14:38 | More by WesWes

metter98

New York

3.85/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear yellowish orange in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high white head that died down a little but consistently left a thin head covering the surface and some lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of citrusy hops in the nose along with some hints of pine resin.
T: Like the smell, the taste is dominated by the hops with flavors of citrus and hints of pine resin. The citrus hops are a nice blend of grapefruit, lemon and orange. Surprisingly, there is only a light to moderate amount of associated bitterness.
M: It feels a bit shy of medium-bodied and somewhat crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I enjoyed this IPA because it has a lot of hop aromas and flavors but is quite easy to drink because it doesn’t have an “in your face” level of bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 01:21:21 | More by metter98

emerge077

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a pint at Big Bricks. Got lucky and scored a sample bottle.

Bomber dated "270 11" on the bottom, meaning it's 139 days old/4.6 months old. Boo, an old sample? They aren't even in the market yet, and the cards are stacked against them… is the local distributor to blame?

The bottle has a cotton candy aroma about it before it's poured. I t pours with a frothy and creamy surface texture, lots of sticky lace all around, and long lasting head retention on display. Bright clarity orange gold, slow rising carb trails.

Hop elements come through as mildly catty and citrusy, with a sweet caramel malt backbone. Seems a bit faded after a few months in the bottle sadly.

Caramel malt sweetness, indistinct citrus rind, slightly floral. Pretty drinkable after all is said and done. Medium bodied with light carbonation. Overall i'd try it again if it shows up fresh.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 13:49:30 | More by emerge077

Gavage

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: hazy orange in color with a one finger head. Light lace develops during the session.

Smell: orange and caramel with some hop bitterness.

Taste: caramel, oranges, pears, and a nice bitterness. Straight forward IPA here.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Lightly crisp from start to finish. Aftertaste is short lived.

Overall: a decent west coast styled IPA that can be consumed quickly. Worthy of a try.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 21:29:40 | More by Gavage

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 650 mL bomber from Finger Lakes Beverage.

A: The IPA is golden, an orange marmaladey hue. Not unsurprisingly, the ale is hazy with a glow. The head from the first pour was less than a finger in size but left spots of lace behind.

S: The IPA is piney, amply hoppy even though it has an older syrupy factor. Citrus follows with grapefruit and orange rinds. Even with the age, I like the citrusy bite that the ale produces.

T: Caramel malts, sweet and chewy, support the hops nicely. Citrus and pine both come through, the citrus has grapefruit and the pine is oily. Peppery flavors mingle throughout, providing the occasional burst of heat. The oiliness of the hops adds strength without alcohol. I am happy to report that the ale, at no time, feels heavy and boozy.

M: For an ale that started out too old, it quickly became spry. The hoppiness is oily, coating the mouth with each sip. I like that the alcohol is well-hidden.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 01:10:47 | More by akorsak

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A kind ipa indeed. Smooth and calm hop tones that set a nice consistent profile. At first I thought it was dropping off quickly, but I think the subtlety of it has to be given time to adjust to, since my palate is probably waiting for a hop bomb to hit. Smooth feel, which is the word on this beer. I like a lot

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 04:12:19 | More by RblWthACoz

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Good starting head that leaves decent ring lace. The broth is cloudy with white-gold color.

Beautiful floral and piney hop aroma. Complex because there were smells of citrus and evergreen. Very appealing.

The malt is nearly none-existent but the hop is very powerful. It shows up early and ends very strong. Lots of bitterness in the swallow and in the aftertaste. The body is relatively thin.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 23:55:26 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

3.73/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks goes out to Hojaminbag for this brew.

22oz. Bomber

Pours a nice cloudy yellow/orange color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy off-white head, with some minimal sticky lacing left behind. The nose is mostly malty, with some hops, some citrus, slight pine notes. The taste is malty, with some hops thrown in, citrus, slightly piney. Medium Body, nice dry/bitter finish. A nice brew, was expecting more though, glad to have gotten a chance to try it though.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2011 19:35:14 | More by Wasatch

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a tulip glass)

A- This beer pours a crystal clear orange body with a gentle carbonation supporting a snow white head that last for a good bit.

S- The citrus dry green hops flavor has a pleasant soft skunk quality to it, in a good way.

T- The soft caramel and crystal malt flavor has some dry biscuit hints to it and a woody hop flavor that grows and takes on some herbal green notes in the finish. There is a nice pine bitterness that lingers in the finish.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with a gentle fizz finish that compliments the hops and no alcohol heat noticed.

O- This beer has a nice balance and a good depth to the malt which are not to sweet and not to dry. The full hops flavor grows in the finish and even thou there are lots of hops the bitterness is soft and it is very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2011 21:46:44 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz brown bomber, no freshness date.

Golden hazy glow, tight and tiny bubbled lacing puts on a great show. Soft resin oily hop nose, a walk through a x-mas tree farm almost with some fresh baked bread. Subtle smoothness, a bit creamy with a sturdy medium body. Thick herbal hop flavor, leafy with dirty evergreen flavors ... sucking on a pine-cone. Malt and fruit in the middle get a bit juicy, hop bitterness does not mask any flavor too much. Alcohol is fruity and a bit warming. Finishes semi-sweet with a long linger of hop flavor.

A standup IPA, it works well as it is well rounded, well balanced and full of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 02:59:15 | More by Jason

Billolick

New York

3.93/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bomber purchased in Rochester for $6.49. No freshness info offered to the consumer.

Pours hazed lighter almond amber. Light khaki head leaves real nice fine and extensive lacing/sheeting.

Subtle hopped up, pine and citric nose.

Hoppy, but not bitter. Flavorful, with more orangy citrus. Quite pleasant and easy drinking. Hops go more grainy late and dry out the finish nicely. Well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 21:32:24 | More by Billolick

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

New brewery to these parts, lets see how they do their IPA.

An aggressive pour yields a small fizzy head that sticks around at least, its quite hazy and a golden orange peach color.

Nose is a little flat, there are some bittering hops, a very slight citrus and fruit hop, and a touch of an earthy hop, but not a big hop aroma presence. It has a bit of a gritty malt profile as well, with a bit of sweetness, a touch of crystal malt, and candy like hop. As it warms a slight bit of tropical fruit and grapefruit comes through but again light, also a slight yeast.

Taste starts weird, more malty than hoppy, but quite bitter. Malts give a light sweetness with some gritty malts and reddish malts. Then a light sweet candy like hop before the other hops kick in. Bitterness is quite heavy, with some earthy hops, and a bit herbal. Very light fruit but not really tropical. The hops really compound each other and gets quite bitter. On the finish it gets astringent, earthy and almost salty hops really overpower and it's tough to even continue without the next sip and let the heavy bitterness linger. The malts, despite sweet, don't really balance the heavy bitterness and astringency. It's also a bit drier on the finish, and hint of citrus candy hop flavor.

Mouth is med bodied, lower carbonation, and slightly oily.

Overall not impressed at all. Low carbonation and not much of a head, not much by way of aroma or tasting hops, much more for bitterness, and the hops are not quite my style, more like an English IPA than American. Then the crazy bitterness and astringency on the finish just overpowers and lingers forever, and despite having some malty sweetness, doesn't seem to balance well. The lack of carbonation probably compounds both of these facts.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 22:18:02 | More by jlindros

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle purchased as a single from Savemore Discount Beverage, Clifton Park, NY.

Poured into am imperial pint, formed a 1/4" eggshell head over the cloudy orangey amber brew. Head promptly down to a skim, with average lacing. Aroma is juicy citrus.

Taste sweet to start, orange citrus in the middle, pine bitter taking over the close. Mouthfeel is pretty smooth, with good drinkability. Good brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2012 20:06:38 | More by ppoitras

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle into an IPA flute.

Pours a clear copper, with a couple fingers of slightly off-white head. This retains with a thick foamy cap that slathers the sides of the glass with heavy swathes of sticky lacing. The aroma is even parts floral and herbal up front, before giving way to a blast of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and pine cones. Just a touch of stickier tropical fruit notes and bready grains help tame the edges of the nose some here.

The taste is all fresh citric bitterness, with some sharper resins and more herbal textures working themselves in as well. Tropical fruit mixes nicely with the sweetness of the grains to offer up some good balance here, letting those hop flavors shine but without things becoming overly bitter. This ends dry, piney, and pithy on the palate which gives the finish a satisfying crispness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and lays a steady prickle down on the tongue before becoming surrounded on the sides by more of a slick creaminess that keeps this overall smooth. There is some light warmth here that strengthens those flavors but the alcohol is pretty well hid here for the most part.

This was an all around solid IPA that packed some fresh hop flavor into a well balanced and quite approachable package. The only thing that really hurts my opinion of it was the $8 a bomber price that I paid for it. Otherwise, this would be a go to hoppy fix for sure.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2011 18:18:22 | More by Kegatron

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Apricot coloured and sufficiently misty to obstruct transparency, The Kind IPA looks like just the kind of IPA I like to drink! It hints at lots of malt, but only the most pale and least invasive varieties that should let the hops shine! The glass looks like a black diamond mountain despite that the actual head itself is hardly a bunny hill.

The aroma trumpets its (likely dry-) hoping with lots of bright citrus and leafy bitterness. It is at once inviting, with notes of melon and apricot, while also intimidating, sounding strong and prickly resins. In other words, it's just right! A sturdy but unobtrusive toasty, crepe-like maltiness underlines this orgy of fruity and floral vapors.

The taste delivers a burst of lemony citrus that chewing gums and throat lozenges could only dream of. It is bitter yet simultaneously bright and refreshing due to an almost minty leafiness. Apricot and peach come through as well, imparting luscious remnants of summer on this overcast winter day. It places the spotlight directly overtop the hops.

While it stays largely out of the flavour picture, the malts do not exactly play Switzerland in the midst of all these hop hostilities. Rather, they do all the heavy lifting as far as mouthfeel is concerned; oily, soapy and bitter resins could run amok if not for such a full, wholesome, toasty graininess there to keep them in check. And alcohol is kept far at bay.

A lot of American brewers craft their IPAs in such a way as if to say: “Look! Mine is bigger than yours!” Three Heads Brewing shows more maturity than that, showcasing an enormous hoppiness without being overly zealous. They have nothing to overcompensate for: no cockiness here, just one hell of a hoppy but fantastically smooth, drinkable IPA.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 17:04:35 | More by biegaman

Brad007

Vermont

3.8/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a nice, bright blonde color with a super thin head into my glass. Another IPA that fits the definition of PALE perfectly.

Lots of grassy hops with a mild bitterness that tickles the nose in a subtle manner. Maybe a bit of buttery malt too.

Grassy hops with a touch of citrus. Juicy. Chewy. Bitter. Wow. Flavor crystal explosion in mouth!!

Lingering buttery malt and grassy hop bitterness comprise the mouthfeel. Very clean for the style.

A very good IPA. You won't be shocked at the bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 17:02:21 | More by Brad007

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer is golden hued with a small white head. The aroma brings tropical citrus, hops. Very nice. The flavor imparts citrus, hops, mild alcohol and a touch of lemongrass. Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Pretty tasty. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 21:16:30 | More by Huhzubendah

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Three Heads Brewing : The Kind IPA

LOOK: Pale golden color, with a white foam collar and good lacing. Has a chill haze and appears to be unfiltered.

SMELL: Grapefruit juice, floral and pine. Just a hint of malt sweetness.

TASTE: A well rounded beer, with pale and crystal malts giving the balancing sweetness to accompany the bitter hop onslaught. Notes of grapefruit zest, lemon juice, and wet grassy herbal character make for a uniquely satisfying hop profile.

FEEL: Light to medium bodied, ample carbonation. Not much of a hop bite and certainly not dry. This beer is even a bit juicy.

OVERALL: An impressive IpA. I wish I could get this beer more often. Cool bottle art as well and a pretty apt name.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2013 22:32:00 | More by Stinkypuss

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a lightly hazy orange-ish to yellow color with a white head. In the aroma, mellow citrus hops. In the taste, a dry orange citrus hop, and somewhat gritty malt. A pleasant hop bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry hop and small orange citrus presence in the aftertaste. Just decent across the board, nothing bad, but nothing spectacular either.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 17:08:57 | More by OWSLEY069