The Corruption - DC Brau Brewing Co.

Guden

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Slightly hazy gold with a small white head that leaves lots of lacing.

S- Mud and grass are the most noticeable, some pine and caramel are also in the mix. Pretty interesting but not really to style.

T- Again pine and mud come through in the mix with grapefruit peel filling the middle and a finish of fairly high piney bitterness. There's also a touch of balancing fruity sweetness in the mix that keeps the bitterness from overwhelming.

M- Fairly thin with low carbonation, works pretty well for the style and goes well with the beer.

O- I really liked this one to begin with but the heavy pine bitterness and grapefruit peel taste would've been better suited with more malt, as is it drains on my senses and I have no desire for another for a little while. An interesting take on the style nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2012 01:58:18 | More by Guden

TAMU99

Virginia

2.42/5  rDev -39.3%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This beer was forgettable. No discernable smell. Standard citrus flavors without anything special. Mouthfeel and appearance were equally bland. I suppose you could drink a lot of it, but why? I will not order this one again especially when there are other good beers from this brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2012 15:23:10 | More by TAMU99

Hopfenpeter

Maryland

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one at Union Station. Poured a hazy medium gold, with a tan creamy head, one finger high. Very nice lacing on the glass.
Smell is very fruity, peach and citrus are noticeable, ad well as a good hop character.
The taste is quite surprising! Very mellow hop character, yet certainly within the category of the style. Fruits up front, tasty malt in the middle and a nice balanced finish. I really liked this beer and will check out more of this brewery! Go D.C.!

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 00:00:56 | More by Hopfenpeter

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a cloudy gold w/ good head and lace retention on top of a textbook citric hop aroma and touches of sweet caramel malt. Very citric and soapy, I love the hop profile in this IPA as it is real hoppy but easy to drink and not overpowering and while it is crisp it finishes clean and slightly sweet thanks to caramel malt (that is not overpowered). Not the most complex IPA but it gets the job done and does it well.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2011 13:26:43 | More by clayrock81

CuriousMonk

Virginia

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at ChurchKey. Pours a deep orange color with a thin off-white head. The nose is heavy with pine, grapefruit, and orange notes. The flavor is like an amped up version of their APA with a good bit of pine and citrus, a little malt sweetness, and a pretty solid finishing bitterness that lingers. The alcohol is there but well managed. Medium bodied with average carbonation leading to a long, bitter finish. What a great IPA, I really like what DC Brau is doing.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2011 19:32:37 | More by CuriousMonk

portia99

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the bar in the Washington Hilton - poured into a shaker pint glass.

A - Pours a hazy, amber color with a low skim coat of tan foam. Light foamy lacing left behind.

S - Soapy, bitter, light sugar and caramel, citrus - especially grapefruit. Very balanced overall and even aroma with nothing overpowering anything else.

T - Sweet, sugary and malty with caramel. A firm, tight and slightly medicinal bitterness, alcohol is noticeable, citrus, grapefruit juice like...not quite west coast but a valiant attempt.

M - Lighter side of medium bodied, lower carbonation, creamy, bitter, firm and very bitter aftertaste.

O - Good IPA...not great. Heavily medicinal like bitterness takes away a bit from its drinkability and overall impression.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 23:55:44 | More by portia99

dhartogs

Virginia

2.85/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

I had been hearing really good things about DC Brau so I visited their brewery yesterday. This beer had a nice amber color but nothing special. The smell was teh best part of the beer, really nice Columbus Hops aroma (I asked what hops where used and this was the only one). On the mouth felt a little light bodies, almost watery and the tast at first was pleasant ebough, but quickly went down hill. All hops, and it gets really bitter, I felt had they used a little more malt to balance it out it would have been much nicer. The more I thought about this beer, the less favorable I felt. I really like IPAs and maybe I'll give this another shot.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2011 14:29:46 | More by dhartogs

yourefragile

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at PP Dupont.

Golden amber color, much lighter than The Public. White head with adequate lacing and retention. Resiny pine and citrus nose. Flavor is similar to The Public, but has slightly more sweetness, both from malt and the resiny citrus hops. Bitter throughout, but not recklessly so. Cans of this will be nice.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2011 00:26:12 | More by yourefragile

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.55/5  rDev +14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is an awesome IPA, I hope to be seeing a constant flow of this beer in the District! Had this on tap at Pizzaria Paradiso in Dupont Circle a few weeks ago.

A: Has a dark orange to amber color that is very hazy, a ring of head and not a lot of lacing.

S: Very bright citrus and tropical fruit in the nose with the awesome 'weed' smell you get in great hoppy beers. Dry malts, flowers and more grass. Amazing aroma, a welcome surprise I was not expecting out of this beer, but really my friend Tony (ahalloin) and I could not get enough of the aroma.

T: Amazing citrus, grapefruit, dry biscuits, lemon grass, flowers, and pine. Weed dank hops! Great taste for a true hophead with only a little nice smoky malt for balance.

M: Sticky yet also smooth and satisfying, nice lingering bitter finish with just enough carbonation.

Overall this is DC Brau's best beer yet, and I am very excited about it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2011 19:21:53 | More by Dreadnaught33

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Churchkey. Served in a snifter. Reviewed from notes.

Pours a moderate golden-copper color with a good white head and a nice ring or two of lacing on the way down. Thin collar throughout. The nose is quite nice with a good dosing of piney hops plus some citrus and grapefruit. The flavor brings forward the hops as well. Nothing overpowering, but quite nice. Beautiful bitterness in the feel. Medium body and good carbonation. Looking forward to this being more widely available.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2011 21:43:51 | More by Thorpe429

petacutlasaurus

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The third offering in the DC Brau bucket after their Penn Quarter Porter and Public releases (and just before their Citizen). So far, it may be my least fave among them, but that's only for liking the others too much.

The corruption looks and smells beautiful, and achieves an awesome hop and citrus backbone without that taste-bud-killing alpha-acidity that so often supports that skeleton. Almost always available at the usual dc beer haunts, fresh pours can be enjoyed just about all day without any flavor fatigue. This is a great one to session at DC9's rooftop bar.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2011 22:21:57 | More by petacutlasaurus

localone703

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A damn solid IPA. It's not over the top (because that would be called an Imperial IPA you hop-head geek dummies) nor is it bursting with tropicals and citrus, but it does have a pervasive woody, sappy, and dash of citrusy hop persistence from beginning to end; reminding you that it is no doubt an IPA at every sniff, sip, and swallow. This is an everyday IPA, much like their Pale Ale is also a superb daily beverage (if your lucky enough to live close enough).

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2011 16:18:22 | More by localone703

drabmuh

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer served on draft at Churchkey in a snifter. Beer is amber and clear with a nice mildly off white head low carbonation and some lacing on the glass.

Aroma is nice, piny, mild citrus, good.

Beer is medium to light in body with decent bitterness on the backend of the mouth and palate. The forward is a little malty but not distractingly so. A very nice beer overall, I'm really impressed. I'd have this again for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2011 17:10:19 | More by drabmuh

ahalloin

Virginia

4.58/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Paradiso Dupont.

Pours a slightly dark golden, mostly clear fluid. A slight reddish tint makes for a handsome presentation. In addition a nice white fluffy head tops the beer, depleting to a small ring of lacing.

The aroma is killer. It may be the best straight IPA aroma I've had. Super dank Columbus hops dominate putting off smells reminiscent of grapefruit and pine. A slight stone fruit sweetness is also detectable.

The taste follows the awesome aroma very well with big grapefruity hops nestled in a bed of pine sap. Resiny! Some malty sweetness but barely. The burning of the hop flavor just dominates this bad boy. The finish is big and bitter and it will corrupt your taste buds.

Medium bodied beer as I would expect for a straight 6.8% IPA. Nice effervescence as the carbonation lifts the pungent hop aromas out of the glass to my nose and dries the palette making it difficult to not grab another sip right away.

Overall, I have to say this is one of the best IPAs I've ever had, and I've had probably 12 of the top 15 on BA. I predict it won't be long before this beer breaks the top 20 in the IPA category. Of course that depends on when they can get around to making enough to satisfy the corruptables of DC.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2011 16:46:27 | More by ahalloin

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Churchkey in D.C.

The beer is orange with 1/4" white head that leaves some decent lacing in its wake.

The aroma brings a pleasant dose of hops, citrus, light pine.

Refreshing and tasty, this is an enjoyable brew. Citrus and hops are the primary flavors here, though not quite as bold as I would like from a near 7% IPA. The finish is dry, with a nice lingering hop bitterness.

A solid beer from a new local brewery. I'm sure I'll have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2011 02:02:41 | More by Huhzubendah

Rhettroactive

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From tap to pint glass at ChurchKey on 5/30/11

I had the pleasure of enjoying this one with the man himself,
Brandon Skall - founder of DC Brau.

A: Rich tangelo-rust in color. It appears fairly brilliant, though this one is unfiltered. A good 1.5 finger head and some crazy, ridiculous lacing which envelops the glass.

S: Absolutely wonderful. The scent of fresh Columbus hop oil hits my nose before I even bring it to my face. It's floral beyond expression - grapefruit, fresh cut Blue Spruce and a trace of sweet alcohol. In a word: perfect.

T: Damn. This is one big league hop bomb - it's like sucking on a hop lollipop. Not for the faint of heart. The palate is immediately attacked with lush, bitter fruits and a sticky residual layer of Columbus hop oil. The malty backbone doesn't sit around and play second fiddle, as it breaks through and shows itself on the mid to finish.

M: Almost cloying. It's such a rich and dense brew. It gets into every single crevice in your mouth and lathers it with a layer of dense hop residue that isn't easy to wash away. Even a few beers later I noticed The Corruption on the back of my palate.

O: Let it be known that DC has a brewey to be reckoned with. DC Brau and their Corruption IPA ain't no joke: this is the real deal, ladies and gents. Step right up and get hopsmacked by one of the best IPA's on the market. This isn't hometown hype - it's simply great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2011 20:31:13 | More by Rhettroactive

mdfb79

New York

3.78/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 05/26/11 notes. Had on tap at The Big Hunt in Washington, DC.

a - Pours a murky deep orange color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of citrus hops, oranges, lemons, light pine, light fruit and floral notes.

t - Tastes of citrus hops again, pine hops, oranges, fruity malts. Citrus isn't quite as strong as the nose. More pine than the nose, and light bitterness.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

o - Overall a very solid IPA from DC Brau. The nose is pretty good full of citrus hops, and it's pretty easy to drink. I'm looking forward to trying more beers from them.

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2011 19:39:59 | More by mdfb79

enoisone

Virginia

4.38/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had it on tap at Meridian Pint in D.C..

Nice looking orange hue and just the right amount of head.

Wonderful nose of pine,resin and citrus.

Really good resiny Columbus hop coating of the tongue.This is one of my favorite hop characteristics along with grapefruit and pineapple.

Again, nice pine resin coating of the tongue along with a good bitter aftertaste. Love it.

I had very high expectations after 1st tasting their Pale Ale.
They certainly lived up to it with this IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2011 16:29:03 | More by enoisone

smakawhat

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured out of the tap at Meridian Pint into a shaker pint, a few days after opening night debut.

A distinct cloudy orange appearance very much like Bell's Two Hearted (perhaps darker), with a nice off cream head and that is opaque. Some minimal lacing while drinking, not much.

Bouquet seems strangely small but noticeable, even a sense something wet is coming but not completely. A distinct citrus orange and very clean wet sense.

Taste though is almost an ambush from the nose. Spiced citrus bringing the orange nose, with a very full body in feel. Palate fills with orange juice like quality and hop bitterness, leaving an afterfinish without the expected wetness that seems to be expected from the smell. There is this great orange zest bitter with the hop presence that just feels wonderful on the finish, maybe even a hint of small caramel and light brown sugar on the swallow.

Overall it seems like an ordinary IPA is coming but it isn't. The beer also feels bigger than the low ABV indicates for this style and that makes it quite a suprise. Enjoyable IPA I would grab this anytime and drink with pride for DC.

Serving type: on-tap

05-23-2011 23:19:11 | More by smakawhat

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at ChurchKey, it's worldwide release. And yes, I have the first pour. That's what happens when you arrive early to beat the crowds. Brewed with Columbus (Tomahawk) hops, per the advert.

A: The IPA is hazy, a lighter amber color that is closer to golden. The haze supports a few flecks of sediment suspended mid-glass. A half a finger of white head laces as I get through the glass.

S: The nose is hoppy, aggressive with a citrus punch. Resiny, I like the citrus intensity. Pepper, more noticeable in the taste, periodically pops up. Caramel malts add sweet breadiness.

T: First sip - delicious. An IPA's IPA, hoppy but not ruinous. Citrus dominates, pungent in its strength. Oily as well, the ale slides down quite easily. Behind the first wave of hops, a spicy pepper taste pops up to smooth the transition to malts. Caramel is brief though, quickly getting the ale back to the business of hops. More citrus bitterness, strong and floral, sees the ale off. An impressive offering from DC Brau. I'm already a fan after two beers.

M: The mouthfeel is bitter but approachable, showcasing the citrus strength of the Columbus hops. I'm glad that I was in the right place at the right time for this one.

O: A big tasting IPA that doesn't lead to palate fatigue. Well done.

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2011 01:15:43 | More by akorsak

farrago

New Jersey

4.06/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours two fingers of deep off-white to tan foam, on the delicate side and dimples a fair bit, few larger bubbles, retention is decent and it holds onto a solid coating across the surface for some time, the lacing has plenty of stick and the streaks are wide. The liquid is a bright amber red to sunset burnt orange, however it is dimmed some by the large amount of sediment floating about, strong storm of tiny bubbles swirling about. The nose is crisp and lively, the white grapefruit, salt and pepper, green grass, lower presence of dried flowers and pineapple to peach fruit, has dark bread crust and scone notes but only a touch of malty cocoa powder, focused on doing a few things well. Full-bodied, for all of its dryness the carbonation gives it a mostly creamy mouth feel and texture. Again leads with sour tangerine, white grapefruit citrus, here you get more pine and there’s slightly more juice to the pineapple, nectarine, apricot, apple fruit. The leafy herbaceousness remains a cornerstone and that peppery kick contributes to its erect carriage. Minor breadiness but has a burnt edge, like well done pizza crust or something. A little malt sweetness at the end, more an afterthought than anything. Aggressive, not pushy.

Serving type: can

05-21-2013 00:03:09 | More by farrago

cw577enfield

Virginia

4.31/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on 05/03/13 and poured into a snifter on 05/12/13! How fresh can you get?

A: Orange/Gold hue with two fingers of head. The head disappears quite quickly to a thin layer. Excellent lacing.

S: I categorize this beer as a part of "Hop-blast" IPAs. :-) When I first opened it, I could smell the hops right away, with grapefruit, piney, and floral notes. Interesting aroma to say at the least.

T: Marvelous taste of malts and hops working together, could pick up hints of caramel, pineapple, and citrus flavors. Sweetness comes at first and follows out with a subtle bitterness. The bitterness will remain awhile at the end.

M: Right in the between of medium-bodied and full-bodied. For that reason, I thought I was drinking DIPA? Medium carbonation and gives it an excellent dry finish.

O: I was lucky to get a super-fresh can and consider this a great IPA with attributes of DIPA. I do wonder what OTWOA would taste like in comparison of this outstanding IPA. Definitely will be picking up another six-pack in the near future!

Serving type: can

05-13-2013 00:36:42 | More by cw577enfield

Sludgeman

District of Columbia

4.34/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a can into a clear plastic glass. Purchased for $3.25.

A refreshing balanced brew. An excellent representation of the IPA style. Lighter taste but not a session beer. In a can at a great price. A really good beer that I would buy again. Proud to have these in my cellar and serve to my friends. Highly recommended.

A - Amber color with a small dense light tan head that dissipates to a thin layer, which then remains throughout beer. Nice lacing.

S - Piney and floral aromas dominate, with some slight fruity sweetness.

T - Slightly sweet, a nice hoppy/malty balance, finishing with a bitter resinous that is not overwhelming. No malty dark fruit or the like.

MF - Slight sharpness but generally smooth.

Serving type: can

05-07-2013 17:03:32 | More by Sludgeman

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.44/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. can poured into a snifter.

Appearance - Golden orange. Hazy with a nice white head and nice lacing.

Smell - Very musty. Piney and resinous. Not the best hop aroma.

Taste - Very musty again. Pine and resin. Sweet malt. Bitterness takes over quickly.

Mouthfeel - Bitter, medium bodied. Medium carbonation.

Overall - Nothing impressive. Drinkable and decently hoppy.

Serving type: can

04-18-2013 00:28:41 | More by Alieniloquium

tectactoe

Michigan

3.69/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Pours a radiant copper color, pretty muddled and hazy throughout, almost completely opaque. Even the edges have a tough time letting any light beam through. A nice, thick cap forms during the pour; eggshell colored, showing good staying power and leaving a nice trace of lacing behind.

The first wave of the aroma is citrusy and full of fruits. Grapefruits and oranges are abundant; the beer has a very zesty and juicy quality to it that really opens up throughout the next few successive whiffs. Some lighter, spicy hops reside in the background, somewhat secondary to the fruit notes; slightly herbal and leafy with a hint of dank, resinous oils to back them up. It's hard to tell which of these stances (heavy citrus or heavy herbal hops) will reign dominant in the flavor profile just from the aroma alone. From prior experiences, I'd have to guess the raw hop flavors will take over.

And it looks like I was right... I take a sip, and while there's a slight, initial taste of watery citrus that hits up front, the raw and spicy hops come rushing in almost instantaneously and with much more force. Spicy, peppery, ashy, and herbal; big hints of white pepper, leaves, a little bit of resin, pine, and hop oil. Citrus hits the flavor profile hard on the bitter side - pith, peels, skins, etc. For such a little guy, this beer has quite a staunch bitterness that asserts itself quickly and lasts heavily into the aftertaste. Some bready malts are in the aftertaste as well, along with maybe even a hint of caramel malt. But they only provide a very light sweetness - the bitterness is dominant, even well after the beer has left your mouth. Medium bodied, lightly oily and a touch away from being sticky, medium-high carbonation.

Not a huge fan of the spicy hop characters being so dominant, but it's done pretty well here. Would have liked a bit more citrus coming off in the flavor profile, but you can't have it all, can you? Still a pretty decent beer that I wouldn't turn down in the future.

Serving type: can

04-04-2013 11:34:11 | More by tectactoe