French Broad IPA - French Broad Brewing Co.

Dope

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a nice clear ruby red with a huge and fluffy tan head. Head fades slowly with great head retention. Nice heavy lacework to boot.

S: Nice juicy citrus with a sweet bready malt backing it up.

T: Again with the citrus up front. Oranges primarily. Decent amount of resin with it. Caramel sweetness balances it out nicely. Mainly resin and a little grapefruit and pine in the finish.

M: Medium bodied, quite nice for the low ABV.

O: A relatively simple yet very flavorful IPA at only 5.9% ABV. Almost has a candied orange flavor to it at times. Nicely balanced but with prominent hoppiness and bitterness (especially in the finish) nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 02:08:40 | More by Dope

GPHarris

Alabama

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a - poured a one finger thick light tan head into a snifter that left good lacing throughout. the body was a bright amber color.
s - big orange citrus aromas with some caramel to balance it out.
t - caramel and toasted bread up front with a bitter citrus bite to finish.
m - bubbly and effervescent. i would have liked a little more weight to it.
o - solid IPA and flavorful.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 20:27:09 | More by GPHarris

csparace

Illinois

4.04/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I'm in Asheville on a bit of a break when I stroll into a gas station to find this, along with tons of other local bombers for only $4. Seems fresh, although there is no bottled or best by date. Serious score in my book.

Appearance (4.25) – Pours a light golden amber with a two finger head that fades at a medium pace. Loads of carbonation coming to the top. Beautiful lacing as I drink. Wow, even more beautiful as I get down lower.

Smell (3.75) – Tons of hops in the nose. Hints of lemon and grapefruit. Slightly sweet to the nose.

Taste (4.00) – Load of hops is confirmed. Has a huge crunch to the front. Grapefruit is confirmed. Has a malty finish that isn't so intense. Hops stay throughout (which I love). You get a slight bite at the very end of the finish, but overall I think its masked well.

Mouthfeel (4.25) – Great carbonation amount. Very refreshing with a lovely crunch on the front. Lips are slightly sticky.

Overall (4.25) – Great IPA. Not very complex but still good. I got a ton of hops in mine and absolutely love it. I'm really happy about this IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 00:29:04 | More by csparace

wyatt13

Illinois

3.76/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Received this as an extra in a trade from Onenote81. Thanks Jon! Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into my tulip glass.

A - A vigorous pour produced a golden orange color brew with a massive, fluffy head that almost toppled over the edge of the glass. The head was pillowy like an IPA cloud, with some tremendous bubbles, some of which were almost the size of a dime. Nice retention and incredible lacing as I drink.

S - Citrus, primarily orange, comes to mind as I smell, with an aroma of a grassy hop quality as well. There's also a more substantial malt backbone than I was anticipating, with a nice caramel note.

T - Starts very sweet, like a caramelized orange slice. The malt takes over after that, with some breadiness sliding in. Also a bit of a spicy note on the finish, like an orange zest.

M - Medium bodied, with a dry finish. Drinks a little boozier than the 5.9% that is listed.

O - A very solid IPA. It's hard to tell how fresh this is (no bottle date), but there wasn't really the full fruit basket with this one for me. However, there was a big orange presence, with different orientations showing up throughout.

Thanks again John!

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 03:07:08 | More by wyatt13

oberon

North Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

I like the new grading system here on BA.Poured into an imperial pint glass a hazed burnt orange tinged deep golden with a thinner but well sustained white head atop.The hops are not real big in the nose,there is some floral and leafy notes but the biscuit malt is almost as big.Citrusy and leafy hops have a good presence on the palate but they are not huge,a somewhat sweet caramel/biscuit malt base is pretty large.It's smooth and it has good hops it's just not as big as many American IPA's.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 14:39:48 | More by oberon

inlimbo77

Delaware

3.73/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz, no date
Deschutes tulip

A: Pours a clear light amber color. Two fingers of slightly off white head. Seems like nice carbonation.

S: Getting some fruity hops but also some balancing bready malts.

T: Tip of the tongue, piney hop bitterness. Not over powering. Pleasant. Mid mouth, like the color would show, you get those balancing sweet malts. It's not crazy over powering either way. Lingering bitterness the tongue, but a dry finish.

M: Medium bodied.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 14:30:11 | More by inlimbo77

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours amber in snifter. Off-white head that lingers well. Minimal lacing.

Smell is sweet malt with hints of muted citrus.

Taste is sweet malts, caramel, orange rind and grapefruit. Nice bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is creamy and medium bodied.

Overall good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 23:26:56 | More by TrappistJohnMD

jtd1969

North Carolina

4.23/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - good amber color, good lacing good carbonation

S - Lot's of citrus with a sweet malty

T - Excellent hops through and through, good malt sweetness, some pine and citrus as hop character

M - Good carbonation and Medium-bodied.

O - Solid IPA, I really enjoy buying a bomber of this whenever I am in Asheville!

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 04:00:28 | More by jtd1969

TheSeeker61

Georgia

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a 1/2 inch head with mild carbonation. Head dissapated to a ring but had good lacing. Had a malty hoppy nose but the taste wasn't as malty as the nose which I liked. Taste had the grapefruitty hoppy california style with a malt backbone which was certainly appreciated. A medium light mouthfeel which could have used more body. Overall a nice IPA which I will do again.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 20:39:17 | More by TheSeeker61

FanofHefe

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first bottle from this brewery; a bomber that pours a clear, amber body with orange tint. Nice light tan, two-finger head that dissipates into a creamy cap and leaves good lacing. Looks great.

I knocked the aroma down a notch only because it is more malt-forward than hop-forward. But, it's not bad: caramel malt dominates, but some citrus hop notes follow.

The flavor is a touch better than the aroma, with some solid light citrus and pine resin hop flavors out in front of the sweet maltiness. It's actually a very good blend, in the east coast sytle of the IPA.

Light to medium mouthfeel and very drinkable. I like this brew and would definitely recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 22:00:13 | More by FanofHefe

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A bomber bottle from the brewery during the recent sabbatical.

A: The IPA is a golden orange tint, translucent. Sporting a white head, it is. Plenty of lacing too.

S: The nose focuses on caramel and biscuit, the malty side head and shoulders above the hops. As the citrus slowly emerges, it doesn't overtake the malts. Instead, the soft citrus plays a supporting role in the aroma.

T: The IPA is well balanced, perhaps a little closer to the APA zone. Caramel and biscuits, more of the latter, set up the citrus that follows. That results in grapefruit in a supporting role, a domestique if you will, to the malts. Not a bad pairing, the grapefruit providing enough pizzazz to remind you of an IPA. The ale is rather dry as well, pulling the sweetness out of the ale and leaving the biscuit with the last laugh.

M: Carbonated, nice malt lead in. The hops, though, could use just a little more juice to 'em. Best place to drink French Broad's IPA? In their funky brewery/tasting room - make the trip.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 15:57:42 | More by akorsak

avalon07

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had an amber hue and a clear texture. There was an inch and a half of foamy, long-lasting head. Very good lacing.

S: A decent amount of hops, along with malt and a hint of citrus in the smell.

T: Tasted of hops, citrus (grapefruit), malt, and a little bit of grain in the finish. The hops level comes dangerously close to being harsh, but the flavor is well done nonetheless.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a dry, bitter finish. Medium-bodied.

O: On the whole, a solidly made, drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2012 12:15:25 | More by avalon07

chinchill

South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle served in a snifter.

A: amber color; clear with modest size off-white head. The head is exceptionally sticky and leaves great lacing.

There's plenty of grapefruit and orange in both the aroma and the taste. The malt is more evident in the nose, and implied by the tempered bitterness in the taste. The beer is, nonetheless, rather bitter, with a lingering grapefruit rind flavor in the aftertaste. Alcohol is not hidden at all.

M: smooth; very good carbonation level; medium body; semi-dry finish.

O: a solid if rather unremarkable IPA. Enough hop load to satisfy hop heads.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2012 01:02:31 | More by chinchill

tdm168

North Carolina

4.18/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - pours a pale amber with a faint orange hint to it; big inch of white head that is thick, soft, and cloud-like; great retention

S - big orange, citrusy notes first followed by a solid floral aroma

T - faint bread, sweet, faint birthday cake, big hoppy character, citrusy, oranges, floral, bitter, lightly piny, bitterness hangs on the palate for a while after the swallow

M - lightly carbonated, medium bodied, smooth

This an enjoyable, highly drinkable beer. The hops are intense and the overall flavor is solid despite the below average malt character. I would have preferred a little more malt to lend some balance to the intense, flavorful hop character. Overall though this is one more solid French Broad offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 22:41:21 | More by tdm168

wcudwight

North Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Amber in color with some orange hues when held up to the light. Small pillowy white head. Deep caramel and pine aromas. Not a very complex aroma but both potent and pleasent. Taste better than it smells. Sharp citrus hop bite at the bigging with a sweet caramel hop finish. Bitterness lingers just a bit. Very balanced and drinkable. Sessionable. If you like your IPA's a bit more balanced then this one is for you. Slick oily mouthfeel. Kind of coats the mouth. This is a good standard offering IPA. It's not going to knock your socks off with the hops, but it's very drinkable and plenty flavorful enough to sit down and have a few pints over some good conversation.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 04:11:40 | More by wcudwight

Onenote81

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Saw this one at my local shop and as I am always excited to try new local IPAs, I picked it right up. Cracked this bomber on 1/9/12. Poured into my Surly pint glass.

Pours a dark ruby orange. Half-finger off-white head. Little retention. Little lace. Nose is sweet with candy malts, citrus tones and an earthy hoppy singe. Great mouth. This is one of the first French Broad brews that I've had didn't overflow or burn the palate with an extraordinary amount of carbonation. Very juicy hops bursting with flavor. Citrus - orange, grapefruit. Sweet kiss on the finish. Fantastic balance. A killer standard IPA from NC. Next to the rotating-yet-elusive Jade, this is my favorite NC IPA. I love it.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 21:39:23 | More by Onenote81

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.58/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pour an effervescent orange/amber with 2 fingers of cream colored head. Superior lacing & head retention

S: Breadyness & faint fruitty notes

T: Breadyness, grassy woody, & citrussy hops up front. Some caramel, dryness, piney & woody hops as this warms, some orange rind as well. Finishes with woody hops, a touch a of grainyness, mineral hops & caramel notes

MF: Medium bodied with fairly subtle carbonation, good balance

Drinks easy enough, kind of subdued as AIPAs go. If you like them balanced & drinkable this a good choice. Would drink this again when seeking that

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 05:14:43 | More by russpowell

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.58/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bought this on a recent holiday trip. Served in a snifter. This beer has a hazy light copper color with a thin head and nice lacing. Not much of a nose. Faint citrus and floral tones.

Very tame and well-balanced with a slight sweetness. I expected more of a hop kick. You taste malt, then the hops kick in and leave rather abruptly, while the malty sweetness tends to linger. The sweetness is very pleasant and not medicinal.

I bought this beer during a Thanksgiving trip and didn't get around to trying it until mid-December. Perhaps I held onto it too long and the hops started to fade. I may try it again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 00:11:25 | More by deadonhisfeet

busterwhite

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass. Nice amber color with 2 finger head. Good amount of lacing on the glass.

Strong, sweet malt aroma with a touch of citrus, floral scent.

Big malt flavor up front with a nice grapefruit rind bitterness on the finish.

Mouthfeel is decent, medium with good carbonation.

Picked this up on a business trip to Ashville, NC. A solid IPA, I like the strong malt backbone in this, it balances the hops well.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 15:02:04 | More by busterwhite

Gu3mom

Georgia

3.34/5  rDev -15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

At our house, we use a 10-point scale. For this particular beer our ratings are as follows:

Her - 6.5 Nicely creamy head. Only medium carbonation.
Him - 5 Way too hoppy / piney.

Overall, drinkable but a far cry from a top choice; we hold out for brews that are at least a 7 on our scale. Cheers!

Serving type: growler

02-07-2013 19:12:58 | More by Gu3mom

plaid75

New York

3.78/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Barley's, Asheville, NC.

Poured a medium copper hue with a half finger foamy white head. There was good retention and lacing.

The smell featured a balmy citrus hop with a light sweetness.

The taste offered elements of pine and tropical fruit as well as a moderately sweet pale malt and a touch of diactyl.

The mouthfeel was typical of the style.

Overall a tasty IPA going in many different directions.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2012 20:43:35 | More by plaid75

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.08/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

16oz growler from Beverage World. Served at around 40F.

Pours clear copper with a one finger off-white head that recedes to a light cap with large foamy bubbles on the ring, leaves some webs of lacing behind. Fairly dark for an IPA.

Aroma is primarily grapefruit, some orange, a little pine, with bread and caramel malt underneath. Simple. Moderate to good strength.

Flavor is grapefruit rind, earthy hops, bit of pine, decent caramel malt backbone in the middle, good bitterness on the finish, minimal alcohol.

Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied, little sticky, moderate carbonation, feels a little watery at times?

Average IPA. Decent grapefruit kick and that’s about it.

Serving type: growler

08-29-2012 19:17:51 | More by elgiacomo

wedge

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

@ Barley's (Asheville)

Orange-amber hue with a fluffy head and some nice lacing. Candy-like hop aroma...Two Hearted like in a way. Floral, orange, and green with only a bit of malt poking through. Bitter, floral, juicy, and oily citrus hop flavors. Sweet, but not overly malty. Medium bodied, slick, and bitter with a little too much astringency which distracts a bit from the overall tastiness. Good stuff nevertheless. A quality, flavorful IPA from a brewery I need to finally get around to visiting next time I'm in the area.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2012 18:26:30 | More by wedge

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

3.83/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1st beer at Brixx on $2 pint night.

Body is light amber with a small white head.

Smell is very balanced. Not a ton of fruity or piney flavors, all bitterness all the way.`Definitely translates to the smell. Not Hop extracts or alpha acids, but just straight bitterness. Kind of like the bitterness in Green Flash West Coast IPA. Actually, in the same realm. Powdery sweet malt, finishes very bitter.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2012 21:30:04 | More by VncentLIFE

DCon

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on-tap @ Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria in Asheville, NC for $3.75. Tapped from an unknown tap handle (since sitting @ a table) into a 16oz Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria Pint Glass.

Aroma- Has a mild, grassy hop aroma and good character throughout of fruit and pine. Went back frequently to enjoy this aroma.

Appearance- Received with a 1 finger head that had good retention. Had a nice reddish copper body that glowed and mostly clear. Thick lacing was left in both ring and random form.

Flavor- Good hop flavor hits home first and then has a bit of citrus behind it. Spices are included in this one also. Very wild for this type of style but dig it. A medium bitterness level concluded this then.

Mouthfeel- Medium-Full Bodied, Light Carbonation, Smooth, and an alcohol warming that I don't find in many IPA's...

Overall Impression- Nice IPA overall! I'm not sure about this alcohol warming in here though... For the ABV's in this one, I'm not sure it should have this. Liked the flavor and light spices in it. An IPA you should attempt!

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2012 16:13:07 | More by DCon