Indie Pale Ale - Cisco Brewers Inc.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Surprsingly light colour with lots of white head. Pine resin aromas. Initially good hop flavour, then a little astringent finish. Leaves one a bit unsatisfied, even a 7.6% abv. Drinkable nonetheless. Average or even above average mouthfeel, but still missing balance and very good hop flavour.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2010 19:41:56 | More by northyorksammy

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another New England special that I was able to get a hold of lately. It seems I am running myself through this entire lineup as of late! This nice twenty two ounce bomber was served cold, right out of the fridge and poured into a twenty four ounce pilsner glass. Consumed on 10/20/2008.

The pour was rather, shall we say vigorous? Not quite a gusher, but the foam was edging its nose out of the bottle when I popped the cap. This resulted in a head of lace that was nearly four inches in height and that never really did fade much beyond that at all. Lots of carbonation could be seen through the hazy, orange amber colored beer, which just had a really nice shade to it. Looked to be very solid.

The aroma let me down a bit, as I was expecting something big after all the nice looking start to it. Still, nice notes of orange and tangerine, with a good hint of biscuit like balance thrown into the middle of it. The flavor was more of the same, this was not one of those crisp, mouth shredding IPA's, it was much more mellow, balanced and subdued. Nice touches of pine and resin coming through on the first wave, but these quickly mellowed and were replaced by a nice and very subtle biscuit like flavor that rounded out the profile very nicely. Rich and chewy, this was about as full bodied IPA as you were going to get, though the carbonation kept it from coming across as too thick or syrup like. Nice strong finish to it, with just enough of a sharp and bitter bite to really dry out the palate in anticipation of the next sip. Easily session able, I found myself having this bottle go down quite well with dinner.

Overall a very solid effort from Cisco. While not my favorite, it has to be noted for the subtly and balance that it provided. I would have no issue at all with trying this one again anytime.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2008 10:37:23 | More by mikesgroove

brentk56

North Carolina

4.08/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a cloudy amber color with a stiff beaten egg white head that refuses to dissipate

Smell: Nice blend of caramel malt and piney hops; lots of depth

Taste: The balanced malt and hop flavors appear at the outset with the piney, somewhat floral hops, joined by the caramel backbone; the combination gets a bit resinous by mid-palate; the flavors continue to build after the swallow, but the hop flavors adds a citrusy grapefruit element; some residual sweetness on the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with a bit too much carbonation

Drinkability: With the exception of the mouthfeel, this is a fine IPA; clearly the best beer I have tasted from Cisco (but I have to admit my experience has been mixed with this brewery - hopefully they are getting some of their problems from years past behind them)

Thanks, ohmesohoppy, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2008 21:12:02 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Tap: Poured a brown color ale with a small foamy head with minimal retention. Aroma of floral hops notes with limited notes of bitterness with light caramelized malt notes. Taste is also a mix between some caramelized malt with some floral hoppy notes with a light bitter finish. Body was a bit thin for the style with average carbonation. Lacking a bit of character for the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 19:42:07 | More by Phyl21ca

oberon

North Carolina

3.25/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into an imperial nnic a clear rich burnt orage color with a large blooming white head that left alot of scum behind as it settled slowly into a frothy mass.The label was spot in its description of the aromas,apricot and grapefruit really stand out over top of biscuit malt.The beer really went downhill from there in my opinion first with an almost watery feel in the mouth and then its lack of hop punch on the palate.Grapefruit is there but subdued with caramel malt flavors coming thru,I think the lack of body keeps the flavors silenced a little.It started out good but again it downhill after the aromas.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 22:45:50 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.55/5  rDev -30.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Served in a flared pokal at Bliss.

Always good to see a new brewery come to the area. (Though I've already had a couple o' these guys, thanks to my time in NoVa...) This "first impression" pours a hazy sunset goldenrod topped by over a finger of very lightly off-white foam. The nose is initially a blast of slightly dank onions, followed by a wave of musty wheat, then one of light lemon zest and sweetgrass. Hoofah, this stuff does not treat my 'strils well at all. The taste tones the onions down a notch, but not enough for it to matter all that much. The wheat and citrus are still there as well, slightly stronger, but they can't quite balance out the onion. Damn shame, really. The body is a rather light medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a kinda dry finish. Overall, I was not at all a fan of this brew. ...That's all I've got...

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 03:06:25 | More by TMoney2591

drabmuh

Maryland

3.05/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Beer is red and mildly haze with a white head of small bubbles, lots of lacing but low carbonation.

Aroma is malty, like a barleywine...booo!!!!

Beer is thick and sweet with a mildly bitter finish but an insanely malty midpalate...what am I going to have to drink to wash this malt bomb out of my mouth now? It is cloying for an IPA, very heavy, very sweet, not a nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 00:38:58 | More by drabmuh

zeff80

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - Poured out a clear copper color with a one finger off-white head of foam. Sticky rings of lace.

S - Smelled of piney/resiney notes. Some fruit aromas.

T - Pine, citrus and burnt toast maltiness. Sweet caramel, too.

M - Crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied IPA.

O - Another good brew from Cisco. Glad they showed up in MN.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 18:12:12 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

3.7/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is hazy copper/orange in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation along with visible particles floating in suspension. It poured with a finger high light beige head that has good retention properties and never completely faded away, leaving thick rings of bubbles down the sides of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of grapefuit hops in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste has flavors of grapefruit and pine resin hops as well as apricots. There is a moderate amount of bitterness—which particularly stands out and lingers through the aftertaste. There are hints of caramel malts.
M: It feels medium-bodied and crisp on the palate with a moderate to high amount of carbonation. There is some dryness in the finish.
O: The grapefruit hops contribute nice aromas and flavors to the taste; however, these could be better balanced through the use of more hops.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 19:15:08 | More by metter98

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.63/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750ml bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep amber color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of floral hops, fruity citrus and some caramelized malts.

T: The taste is starts out malty with a smoky caramel sweetness and some citrus in the background. Then a grassy hops bitterness comes in and creates a good balance, especially after the beer warms a bit. The after-taste is slightly hoppy.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, slightly sticky finish.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, decent representation of style, it's a decent beer and the smokiness makes for a nice twist added to the typical IPA, however there are several other IPA's that I would pick first.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2008 03:40:47 | More by TheManiacalOne

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.38/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Pours an effervescent amber with 2+ fingers of cream colored head. Fantastic lacing & head retention

S: Bready & fruitty

T: Woody hops, pears, leafy & grassy hops, seems more English to me... Faint figs, woodyness, pears as this warms. Finishes fruitty, woody, dry & restrained

MF: Medium bodied & creamy, nice balance all things considered

Mediocre AIPA, slightly better EIPA, Cisco, you are underwhelming me so far, although decently drinkable

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 03:40:45 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

3.13/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle code 1152, guessing a Julian code of April 2012. Odd that the Bailey's Blonde from the same shop had a clear printed bottling date.

Dark amber color with orange red highlights, good clarity, and a fluffy head of foam that rises in a convex dome above the rim of the glass. Tons of lacing, flecks all arounf the glass, all the way down. Looks great.

Nondescript aroma, muted and faded, sadly very little to go on. A few swirls pulls out vague specialty malt and something vaguely citric. No hint of Summit dry hopping that the label mentions, but aroma is usually the first to go over time.

Mellow and flat in flavor. Nothing much to go on here too, though some bitterness and astringency are present. Light alcohol presence too, seems out of place... Feel is smooth though, in general, though the astringency gets unpleasant after awhile. Dumped the last half, will try another fresher sample if Lush puts out fresh stock on these... Sucks they're pushing old beer though.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 02:16:32 | More by emerge077

jwc215

New Jersey

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

This was a gusher - lost about half of it. Fortunately, it's a 22 oz. bottle.

After waiting for foam from gushing to calm down, it poured a clouded/murky deep amber with a rocky head that settled to a lasting cover. Patchy lacing sticks.

The smell is earthy - spicy/peppery - herbal, slightly metallic with caramel.

The taste is peppery/herbal with some citrus. It has a caramel/orange marmelade backing. It is bitter, though some residual sugar sweetness lingers on the lips. Alcohol is evident.

Medium-bodied with carbonation on the aggressive side.

Overall, a spicy, bitterish beer with a caramelish backing. Maybe it was just this bottle, but be on the safe side and open over the sink and hope for the best.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2009 21:29:29 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.65/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a bottle at the Farmhouse in Emmaus, PA. The pint glass held a hazy amber beer with a tall off-white head. The beer had a sweet bready malt background with a touch of caramel. The hops are quite tasty with a deep citrus rind and grapefruit taste complimented by mellow herbal notes. The bitterness feels like it may have dulled with time, but the mouthfeel is on the lighter, more drinkable side for the style (I like that). I had no trouble finishing a bomber of this brew, but I probably wouldn't order it again.

Update 8/30/11: Enjoyed a 12 oz bottle with some chili for dinner. I really dig the malt balance. The barley character would make a great amber by itself, but that toasty toffee makes a tasty complement to the biting citrus rind hops.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2010 13:33:40 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A bomber purchased at Westy's.

A: The IPA poured with a huge head that encompassed three full fingers within the glass. The result is a thick wall of lacing all around the top 1/2 of the glass. The IPA's body is an orange marmalade color, rather brilliant (unlike marmalade), with no hint of sediment.

S: The aroma is very inviting, showcasing a big citrus blast. The grapefruit scents are toned down by a caramel maltiness.

T: The first sip reveals a strong, malt-focused body that losses the hops that were so prevalent in the nose. The malt is caramel-based with a biscuity bready finish. Hops appear throughout the sip, mostly to add bitterness. They are most noticeable after a sip is gone. There they flick at the tastebuds with a grapefruit bitterness. As the ale warms, herbal flavors emerge and the taste continues to evolve. Let the beer warm up a touch for better enjoyment.

M: The mouthfeel is very run-of-the-mill. Even as it warms, there is nothing to stand out in an already crowded field.

D: The ale is decent, the kind that you could sit and down a few of, but it's nothin' to get overly excited about. If the hops were a touch stronger, I'd be much happier.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2008 03:35:12 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a deep dark crimson color darker than most barleywines these days. Thick light beige head stands up tall and rises thick above the rim of the chalice. As it dwindles down it leaves behind fine speckled lacing, and I guess it's time to describe the hop nose. Bright fruity notes I'm getting apricot with herbal/earthy/floral citrus there's some definite hops in here, especially some well blended Summits because I'm not getting any vegetable/garlic/or onion thank God. As I say that about the aroma I'm getting exactly that a bunch of Summit hops provided some spicy onion/garlic like notes but it blends well with these dark fruitier malts. Without this yeast and malt combo this would be completely one sided in the worst way with Summit. Mouthfeel is slightly slick with hop oils, but carbonation works well with the spicy hops and residual hop resins sticking around. Overall experience comes off a bit too spicy for me, but I'm still liking the East Coast to West Coast tribute IPA we got going on. Just not my favorite brew ever, but solid stand up be ready for something different than the mainstream.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2011 09:22:26 | More by WVbeergeek

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beautiful neutral amber color with a small amount of chill haze. Excellent lasting and rocky head that leaves ample lace after each sip.

Nice fresh hop smell, very appealing. Nearly no malt nose.

Better balance in the flavor, but hop is completely dominant after the initial sip. Dry hoppy finish that lasts a very long time. The malt does provide a solid body. Lots of complexity particularly with how the hops change flavor throughout the tasting.

This is one of the better IPA's I've had in quite some time. I will seek this out in the future.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2008 22:04:26 | More by smcolw

Billolick

New York

3.38/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce can

Pours murky darker amber with a dark copper hue. Large tan head, stays and stays, and leaves some thick sheeting and webs of thick lace.

Malty nose, noticeably lacking in hops.

On the palate, hops are present but mostly with a resinous quality. Lacking in aromatic interest. Seems at the same time to be lacking in body, stale and over carbonated. Diactyle comes to mind. Not my favorite take on the style Just seems to be off and not all that enjoyable.

Serving type: can

08-29-2012 03:26:06 | More by Billolick

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a lighter fizzy 1/4 finger head that fades semi slowly, over mostly clear amber orange color.

Nose has nice grassy hops, slightly earthy, a bit floral, and just a touch of fruity hops like tangerine, under that is a bit of a sweet malt base for a nice balance.

Taste starts with a clean ale taste, and gets fairly bitter quickly, hops come on quickly but mostly bittering hops at first, then a bit of earthy slight herbal hops, bit of fruity hops again with a slight tangerine, a nice malty backbone gives it a nice balance, semi sweet malts. Finishes slightly dry, fairly bitter as it seems to build just a bit as it goes, lingering clean bitterness, a slight earthy hop character.

Mouth is medium bodied, great carbonation adding a nice palate cleanser to the bitterness and semi sweetness.

overall pretty good, nice hop characters, good carbonation, the flavoring hops die off a bit on the palate so I took a slight edge off for that.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2011 01:16:17 | More by jlindros

DrJay

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Burnt orange with some haze, light beige cap of fine bubbles, decent head retention and plenty of clumpy lacing. Fruity, caramel aroma, light pine. Sweetness was more prominent than bitterness until the finish, lots of caramel and fruit up front followed by some pine and alcohol. Mild warmth, medium bodied with lowish carbonation. A decent beer, but as an IPA it seemed thoroughly average, especially for a malt forward IPA.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2011 01:39:55 | More by DrJay

Brad007

Vermont

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a reddish-copper color with a thin one-finger head into my pint glass.

Lots of floral/citrus hop aroma upfront followed by a malt profile full of breadiness.

Taste starts out with a floral/citrus bitterness followed by breadiness and just a bit of alcohol heat. A second sip confirms the bitterness.

Mouthfeel is full of hop bitterness and the breadiness of the malt. A bit dry.

A good example of an IPA. I feel that it's a bit rough in regards to the bitterness. Aroma is very good though. Still highly drinkable and worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2008 20:19:31 | More by Brad007

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks goes out to LarryG for sending me this one as an extra in a recent trade! Served from bottle into a Stone nonic. Poured yellow-orange with one finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount very slowly. Maintained excellent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, citrus, and citrus hop. The flavor was of sweet malt, caramel, citrus, dark fruit, and citrus hop. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a really good brew. The followthrough on this one was quite excellent. Both the aroma and flavor were quite good and inviting on this one. This one is definitely worth seeking out for anyone out there and could be a good gateway brew for some out there with the complexity found in here. Nice job Cisco!

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2011 11:41:14 | More by thagr81us

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Cisco Indie Pale Ale

Appearance: Pours a cloudy, unfiltered, burnt orange with soapy off white head and a nice display of webbed lacing on the pint glass. Looks pretty good.

Smell: Strong citrus aroma boasting orange, pineapple and sappy resin. They really knocked it out of the park in the smell, what an inviting and pleasing scent. Has West Coast written all over it.

Taste: Soft grapefruit, piney bitterness is at a medium to low level. Mild herbal qualities and alittle rind in there too. Pretty mellow and the tropical fruit aspect is slim to none. Hop forward and solid IPA flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, mild carbonation and the feel is alittle thin.

Overall: A pretty impressive brew from cisco brewers. Alittle more attenuation in the body and we'd have a world class IPA here, still, not far from it.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 05:54:23 | More by Stinkypuss

avalon07

South Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had an amber color and a cloudy consistency. There was a huge amount of creamy/fluffy, long-lasting head. Great lacing. An excellent-looking beer.

S: A lot of hops in the aroma, with some fruit and malt as well.

T: As it was with the smell, the hops dominated the flavor. Very bitter and very forceful. There were also traces of malt, caramel, citrus (grapefruit), and a little yeast. A solid, very lively flavor.

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

O: An excellent, well made, and slightly unusual IPA. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 13:22:13 | More by avalon07

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Hazey bronze color, about two fingers thick foam that recedes to a thick film. Bubbling is pretty good and the film leaves a little lacing after each sip.

Faintly toasted orange peel hop aromas mix with toasted caramel and biscuit malts. classic aroma.

Mineraly orange peel hops upfront and dissipates in its intensity as the beer flows over the tongue. The finish is dominantly bitter though. The malt is a subbued bread crust, water crackers, and biscuits. Dominant bitterness overall.

The mouthfeel is a little chalky and dry. But minus is alcohol percentage, the flavor is sessionable for sure.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 00:56:41 | More by scruffwhor