Columbus IPA - Columbus Brewing Company

n2185

North Carolina

2.48/5  rDev -41.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

A: Pours a surprisingly dark orange with about a finger of white, frothy head. Head retention is pretty good with some moderate lacing.

S: A little citrus up front followed by lots and lots of pine and resiny hops. Smells pretty good, though not much depth to it.

T: Pine and resin dominate the flavors with an extremely bitter and bland finish. The bitterness lingers around, coating my tongue for minutes after a sip.

M: Medium body with medium carbonation and an oily resin character at the end

D: With the lingering bitterness, this is not a very drinkable IPA to me.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 17:47:22 | More by n2185

Kelp

New Hampshire

2.8/5  rDev -34.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

This beer was sent to me as an extra, and I am sorry to say I don't remember from whom.

It has a nice yellowish appearance to it with a nice white head.

Smells of pine and citrus, the usual IPA smells, but a little bit stronger. I enjoyed the smell the most.

The taste starts out fantastic citrus and pine and the end is overwhelmingly grapefruit/acidic citrus. Definitely not my cup of tea. The end flavor sticks to the tongue and just is not enjoyable.

It has a nice thickness and carbonation to the beer.

I had to pass along half the bottle to another person. It was nice to try, but I won't be having it again if possible.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 00:15:09 | More by Kelp

HOLYBIER

Indiana

3/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Well First time review. My home base is Three Floyds and my taste buds tend to judge against the Munster Authority. The citrus up front seemed abit toned down with the bitter after bite being existent . My first rating and I wanted to add their monthly brew but being my first review I cannot add the monthly beer Hop Odyssey which being an extra pale ale I really enjoyed and went very much over in taste above their standard IPA. My two cents of info. Pretty much a standard go to IPA Is how I would rate it. Color seemed light for my standards along with overall taste. If the front end blossomed I would give it a higher rating

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2011 00:28:13 | More by HOLYBIER

garuda

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - Golden, hazed, nice white head that retains and laces well. Looks good.

S/T - Rich, ripe grapefruit hits first, but then my super sensitivity to the simcoe hop takes over and I get a healthy dose of cat-pee-soaked carpet amongst resinous pine flavors and aromas. Biscuit malts with some honey sweetness. Gets a little too catty in the taste to actually enjoy the drink.

M - Medium body, ample carbonation, finishes dry with bitter pine.

O - If you're sensitive to the simcoe hop like me, this beer is not for you. If not, you'll probably love this one.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2012 15:18:06 | More by garuda

selecter70

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I've been slightly off the pale ales of late, as I have felt overwhelmed by their ubiquity. Nevertheless, I won't turn down one that I've never tried, and the folks from Columbus certainly helped my willingness. The pour was a cloudy medium to dark honey which I did not expect, and the white head was decent & full. The aroma, however, threw me for a loop, as it was an astringent cat pee aroma with hints of Concord grapes. Very off-putting. The flavor, however, was not of urine, thank God! Rather, it was light but full, with good hops, not too sharp or sour, and with mild citrus tones. Weird but good.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2009 00:15:10 | More by selecter70

Risser09

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Copper colored ale with a slight haziness and some orange highlights to it. White head reaches 1” and goes away quickly.

Smell: Very floral hop aroma and fresh grapefruit too. Reminds me of Double Simcoe IPA from Weyerbacher.

Taste: Different from what I expected. Not as complex as I wanted, kind of a one dimensional flavor profile. Kind of a metallic off flavor that sits in the background.

Mouthfeel: Slick at first but then a U-turn makes it feel metallic and coarse. Alcohol is present, but not cloying.

Drinkability: Okay but not worth seeking out. There are better IPAs to be had.

Serving type: on-tap

09-03-2007 19:57:56 | More by Risser09

PittBeerGirl

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the brewery yesterday. Super stoked to try it.

A- This is one beautiful beer. Cloudy amber body and served with a nice 2 finger or so head that sticks all the way down the glass with plenty of lacing.

S- Good overall. Plenty of citrus and earthy hops with a faint caramel malt backbone.

T- This is the kicker for me. The nose was very bright but the flavor was average run of the mill IPA. Very faint citrus flavor with earthy hop overtones. The finish has a hint of caramel malt and is just slightly bitter.

M-Medium carbonation and a medium weight body. Nothing much to it.

O-overall this is a decent beer but nothing to brag about. IT really is beautiful and smells good but overall nothing special.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2011 02:42:20 | More by PittBeerGirl

mwagner1018

Minnesota

3.48/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Recently tried this for the first time on a trip into Columbus, OH area.

A- Amber, red hue, caramel notes in the color/ nice head and quality retention with some mild lacing down glass.

S- Slight sweet hop aroma, mild character, odd inconsistent staleness to the smell...tried to figure out if the glass had some residual odor in it (don't believe it did)...smell of beer did not mesh with the taste.

T- Moderate hop bitterness, fresh, seemingly basic and standard IPA taste...has more of an EPA character than the traditional American big hop IPA bitterness. Good quality, nice balance with the hops and malt.

M- Good carbonation, which I have heard may have been an issue in the past...nice feel to this beer.

D- Surely this is a very drinkable offering, light and fresh...but nothing to unique or impressive. I do think it is a great addition to the craft beer arena in a really underdeveloped emerging market in the Columbus, OH area.

I would like to get this one on tap...and compare the difference, have heard great things about the draft product...for it's superior freshness and balance.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2009 15:06:58 | More by mwagner1018

JohnnyMc

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This has a very hoppy and dry aroma. The taste is an almost perfect balance of hops and malt, there really isn't too much of one or the other.

Because this is so balanced it is also very refreshing for an IPA, which is rare.

It's very easy to drink and gets better with a slightly warmer temperature. The only problem I have is that there aren't enough hops for my taste.

It's a good, balanced IPA and I would like to try more from this brewery.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 05:00:21 | More by JohnnyMc

robwestcott

Indiana

3.55/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

thanks (i think) to shawnp for this one.

poured cold from the bottle a cloudy dark caramel gold to a sun king shaped pint glass with a 1/2 finger, foamy, slightly off white head leaving spotty lace.

nice, and not punching you in the face citrus hops aroma.

earthy and citrus hops up in front and bitter all over the front of the tongue and the roof of my mouth. interesting sweet / sour citrus following and fading quickly.

medium bodied, bitter bite, creamy.

a better than average IPA with a better than average malt backbone.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 19:53:27 | More by robwestcott

Retsinis

California

3.58/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Got this bottle as an extra in a trade.

A: Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Bruery tulip glass. A full 2 inches of billowing white head rose, and very slowly settled. The beer is a pale, cloudy orange with a copper hue. Nice spotty and sticky lacing is left on the glass.

S: Some dried herbal hops and grapefruit. Can't get much else.

T: Pretty bitter up front on the initial draw. Flavor notes of grapefruit, mild orange, some sweet caramel malt. The bittering hops are the most prominent and dominate though.

M: Medium to high carbonation, and dry. A bit thin on the finish.

O: Good. A little too dry bitterness for my preference, but admittedly, one of the better Mid-west IPA's I've had. I like the fact that it was not pasteurized, since that preserves more flavor in my humble opinion. I think that gives it a longer shelf life too, since I can't tell from the bottle how fresh it is.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2011 21:12:06 | More by Retsinis

SpeedwayJim

New York

3.58/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Turdfurgeson for this one. 12oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a monstrous, powdery and fluffy 3 finger white head with great retention. Beer is a cloud, pale yellow/grapefruit. Lacing is thick and ringed with excellent stick. Nice save for the color.

Nose is big citrus, pine, and resin hoppiness. Clean and moderately aromatic. Solid but nothing special.

Opens citrus and pine notes. Resiny hoppiness towards the middle with grapefruit and orange flavors. End is pine and sap with a grapefruit hop finish and a lingering, resiny hop aftertaste. Three very distinct hop profiles showcased here. Nice.

Light bodied with moderate to high carbonation. Quenching, watery, and smooth in the mouth and moderately dry going down. Finish is mellow with a lingering, dry aftertaste. Ends really nicely.

In a style that is very hard to stand out from, Columbus IPA gives it a solid shot. Very clean and crisp, this one doesn't try to do too much and showcases its simplicity very well. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 01:34:07 | More by SpeedwayJim

HopHead84

California

3.68/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

9/5/2011

Bottle from riko, thanks! Snifter.

A: Burnished amber with an inch of white foam. Good retention and scattered tendrils of lacing.

S: Malt is strong, lending notes of sweet bread and caramel. A swirl of the glass brings dank pine to life, which blends with orange flesh and grapefruit. This is well balanced, but the hop profile is nice.

T: The flavor is much like the aroma, with a pronounced breadiness accompanying sweet caramel. There's a lower moderate level of smooth bitterness with grapefruit flesh and rind. Resinous pine is pervasive.

M: Medium in body with upper moderate carbonation.

Overall: A solid malty IPA.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 03:26:25 | More by HopHead84

david131

Michigan

3.7/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- Pours a hazy dark orange liquid with a thick and craggy off white head that has excellent retention.

S- Pine, citrus, grass, and a nice caramel malt backing. All of the aspects work nicely together.

T- Just like the aroma but rather mild. The hoppiness is right up front followed by some malt sweetness then a nice bitter finish.

M- Light on the carbonation with some lingering bitterness.

O- A nice IPA that drinks nicely but when it is all said and done, it is not very interesting to me.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2011 04:37:09 | More by david131

elgiacomo

Georgia

3.75/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle, big thanks to Ryan for this surprise! No freshness date to be found. Served at around 40F.

Pours very hazy orange/amber with a large fluffy white head that leaves sticky rings of drippy lacing behind.

Aroma is very floral along with orange, apricot, grapefruit, some pine & grass. Good strength.

Flavor is grapefruit rind, oranges, apricot, pine, resin, floral hops, some caramel malt sweetness in the middle, finishes with a decent bit of grapefruit rind bitterness.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, somewhat oily, good carbonation.

Well-balanced IPA. Pretty good stuff, glad to have the chance to try it.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 00:35:54 | More by elgiacomo

levifunk

Wisconsin

3.78/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a - light orange pour. white head dissipates, but slowly.

s - pine hops dominates. there is a malt sweetness behind the hops.

t - very bitter. citrus hops flavor. flavor dies off quickly which makes me think this beer lacks substance.

m - lighter body. decent carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2010 06:17:24 | More by levifunk

JamnesCameron

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a Le Cheval Blanc pint glass. Pours a hazy deep gold, with a big, rocky, beige colored head. Head is slow to drop, but leaves tons of lacing.

I could smell the citrus hops on the pour. Aromas of huge grapefruit, orange, and tangerine. There is probably some malt in there, but you can't tell from the aroma.

Flavors of grassy hop bitterness, huge grapefruit, orange, honey. But there are so many hops put in the boil that a vegetal flavor comes through. Finish is actually fairly short, with a burst of grapefruit and orange bitterness, as it fades away to a "pure" bitterness.

Mouthfeel is nearly puckering. Mouthcoating to the point I can feel it between my teeth. Medium bodied.

Overall a good AIPA, but they over did it with the hops, when the grassy flavors start to peak out.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 03:42:11 | More by JamnesCameron

SFLpunk

Vermont

3.78/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to forgetfu for this tick! Word up. 12oz brown glass pry-top bottle.

Pours a hazy golden orange with thick fluffy white head. Nose is piney and bitter smelling. Very dry and earthy aroma.

Palate is a lot lighter than I expected it to be based on the color. Pleasantly bitter on the mid-palate. Orange blossom, orange juice/pulp and lime flowers too. Not earth on the palate, just citrus.

Notes: Wow. This is killer. Would love to sit back with a 6er on the back porch and watch the sun set.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 21:50:22 | More by SFLpunk

chugalug06

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev -11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A nice murky/cloudy orange color pours from this long-neck bottle. Pours very nice! Awesome head retention. Head is slightly yellow foamy goodness.

S - Yum! Lots of intense fruits. Apple, grape, banana, ect...

T - Much more watery than I was expecting... Lots of great citrusy flavor though. Wonderful hop balance too. Slightly minty...

M - Very thin and light bodied. Wonderful carbonation.

O - A slight disappointment, but whose counting? Super glad i got to try this one. Cheers Beerhan, thanks for the trade!

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 02:05:48 | More by chugalug06

antlerwrestler19

Nebraska

3.83/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

An extra in a trade with Brandie, thank you!

Pours deep amber orange, hazy to the point I can't see my fingers on the other side. Big fluffy and chunky head leaves adequate lacing. Smell is super sweet with explosions of citrus peel and a bit of the bitter rind as well - sweet caramel goodness follows. The flavor is surprisingly different, not as fruity sweet but more earthy, floral and bitter with a pretty forward malt backbone. Mouthfeel is your basic IPA expectations with some light prickly carbonation. Good example of the style, nothing really jumped out to make it a stupendous IPA but it is tasty.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2011 03:34:20 | More by antlerwrestler19

mikey711

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Really happy to finally have the chance to try this. Thanks Doug

A: Cloudy brassy color with a nice webbing lace and pretty go head retention.

S: crsip floral and herbal aroma, not too heavy on the citrus notes but there is a faint orange smell

T: A mild citrusy taste with a nice oiliness to it. some hints of orange and a slight herbal note. pleasant bread not in the finish along with some bittering pine

M: the creaminess is good but it could stand to be smoother as there was a slight harshness too it.

D: Overall a very solid session IPA, not sure what the age is on this but it seemed to be relatively fresh and i found it to be very enjoyable

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 21:17:55 | More by mikey711

jsanford

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Pint Glass. Sent to me by the great THECPJ. Cheers Shane!

A - Pours a cloudy orange-amber with a huge, luscious head of white foam.
S - Very crisp and fresh, with a pungent, floral hop aroma, and a bit of pine, grapefruit, and sweet malt. Easily one of the most floral IPAs I've ever had, very nice.
T - The flavor is a little subdued, but I can pick out grapefruit, pine resin, and more of that floral quality, along with a fairly crisp malt backbone.
M - Medium-light bodied with crisp, sharp carbonation.
O - Overall a very nice IPA, if I had regular access to this I'd probably pick up a Sixer every now and again.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 05:02:50 | More by jsanford

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Columbus IPA

LOOK: A bright copper color, good clarity, off white foam and sticky lacework.

AROMA: Strong citrus notes of grapefruit and orange. There is a mild but complimentary caramel smell.

TASTE: High alpha Simcoe hops, along with cascade providing a hearty earthy herbal bitterness. Citrus notes still show through. Caramel malt and resinous hop oils in the finish.

MOUTHFEEL: Medium bodied, semi dry finish, crisp and good carbonation.

OVERALL: A very solid IPA. Always a welcome addition to the beer scene, the Columbus brewing co brews this fresh tasting IPA year round.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 20:16:15 | More by Stinkypuss

blakesell

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the tap into a tasting glass.

Appearance- Beer pours a golden yellow with very little in the head department. Tiny bubbles rise from the bottom, and there is a slight spotty lacing on the sides of the glass.

Smell- Amarillo, and another hop that I can't pinpoint, but very hoppy in the aroma. I get a slight hint of malt, but not much but hops greeting my nose.

Taste- Hoppy as can be yet smooth with enough malt to balance things out. Goes great with my spicey sushi for the record. Hops are really quite powerful. Prickleing but very enjoyable.

Mouthfeel- Bitter, smooth, lightly creamy, drying, medium-full bodied, excellently carbonated.

Drinkability- Columbus Brewing Company is really hitting a home run on this sampler. Excellent drinkability.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2008 20:31:51 | More by blakesell

womencantsail

California

3.9/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to riko for sharing.

A: The pour is a clear orange/amber color with a big white head and some sticky lacing.

S: The nose is rather nice. Lots of citrus notes featuring orange, tangerine, and grapefruit. A light grass note and plenty of pine and floral hop aromas. Just a little bit of bready malts.

T: Tastes just as citrusy as it smells. Nice fresh orange and grapefruit flavors with a little bit of tropical fruit, too. The requisite pine bitterness is there with only a touch of grass and bread.

M: Medium bodied with medium carbonation.

O: Just my second beer from these guys, but both have been quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 05:26:18 | More by womencantsail