Scepter Head IPA - Draught Works

birwulf

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap, in a pint glass at the brewery.

Clear pale gold color, light head retention with good lacing. Aroma is strong - piney mostly, but with slight skunk/phenol notes which carries over to the flavor. Light malt body with aggressive bitterness and dry finish - overall impression is positive. Balance could be improved.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2012 00:55:11 | More by birwulf

harrymel

Washington

3.55/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Growler pour.

Pours a golden ale with a finger of light yellow foam which falls slowly to a sheet of the same. Nose is nice and citrusy with hints of pineapple. Nice nose. Flavor comes through with a lighter hook and not nearly as bitter as I would have anticipated - good sweet and fruity flavor. Medium bodied with low carb (guessing related to growler). Nice beer, would drink again for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2012 04:06:17 | More by harrymel

EricCioe

Montana

4.1/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I've had this beer many times since the opening.

This pours pale gold with a frothy white head that leaves lots of lace on the way down. On the nose there is a huge floral and citric component, like orange zest and raw hops I guess. The nose has changed a bit since the introduction. I hear the first batch used a different hop schedule and the last few times I've had it the taste has been a bit better balanced, or the hops better-integrated into the caramel backbone, or something. It has definitely improved each of the first three batches, and it was very good to begin with. The body is medium with enough carbonation to have a good head and make the hops buzz pleasantly on the way down.

Overall, this is a fine IPA. The only other Montana IPA that makes it into this category is Blackfoot River's Single Malt. But I can drive to Draught Works in three minutes and get really fresh, really good IPA. This being available has somewhat lessened the loss of Two-Hearted I've had since moving out here.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2011 21:33:59 | More by EricCioe

Cru

Montana

4.75/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Tap room pour - Straw to orange color, good clarity. Two finger white head, retained.

Remarkably strong floral, citrusy, piney aroma. They should make air fresheners based on this beers aroma.

Strong, dry, hoppy nose with slight grapefruit, piney notes. Very well balanced bitterness follows immediately. No off flavors noted.

Does not lend that cloying, overly sweet mouth-feel that a lot of American IPA's can have - especially after more than one. Clean and dry. Delicious.

One of the best, most well balanced IPA's I've ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

12-19-2011 16:58:48 | More by Cru

zhanson88

Montana

4.18/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Big thanks to Rbald42 for bringing this growler back from Missoula. Always happy to try a beer from a new brewery.

Appearance: Pours a pale straw color with moderate carbonation. 1" white head, great retention and lacing. Slight haze.

Smell: Citrus, dankness, light pine. Hint of malts. Strong florals. Awesome smell...this one really shows off a great bouquet of hops. About as good as it gets here.

Taste: Starts with a hint of malts, followed by citrus, pine, dankness, and florals. Seems a little empty all in all. Could use some more malts to back the hops. Still good, with the great hop character, but not quite as good as the nose.

Mouthfeel/Overall: Light bodied with moderate carbonation; pretty smooth drinking. Overall, a great addition to the Montana beer scene. The only IPA brewed in the state in the same league as Blackfoot River's. Maybe even a touch better, albeit not quite as well balanced.

Serving type: growler

12-06-2011 03:11:53 | More by zhanson88

bravejoejoe

Montana

4.15/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The beer was poured to have a very thin head, I feel like it could have a thicker head if poured right. The beer has an amazing aroma, very much heavy on the floral hops. One of the best smelling beers I've ever had. The taste is a huge hit of hops,followed by a bit of malt in the background. This beer does have a huge bitter after taste. This is a very small brewery making good beer, so come support these guys if your in Missoula!

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2011 02:22:41 | More by bravejoejoe

Rbald42

Montana

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

Poured at the brewery

Appearance is golden with a orangey hue. Lots of lace coating the glass as I drank. A 1/2 finger head of of constant foam.

Smelled of strong floral hops, bitter orange peel and faint lemon lime zest. Very impressive aroma to the brew. Taste was clean, with lots of citrus and tangerine with herbal grassyness giving way to solid bitterness on the back of the tongue. A very tasty brew, maybe a little rough on the bitterness towards the end, but enjoyable nonetheless. Mouthfeel was dry, with good carbonation. Overall a very solid, aggressive, hoppy brew worth trying for the IPA lovers.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 08:13:51 | More by Rbald42