McEwan's India Pale Ale - The Caledonian Brewery Company Limited

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

2.65/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Looks like a faint brown ale, almost no head, aroma was lacking hops but did have a fruity tomacco (yeah like the Simpsons episode) aroma that was enjoyable.

The brown ale comparison really comes out in the taste, this doesn't even taste like a weak English ipa, this is just like a mild brown ale. It is what it is. Expensive and disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2010 17:35:02 | More by Beerandraiderfan

AgentZero

Illinois

2.23/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Brown, kind of like a caramel color, somewhat odd I thought. Not much of a head, just a 1/2 a finger of bubbles that dissapeared quickly leaving no lacing.

S - Somewhat grainy, slightly malty, more of that than any hopes.

T - This is not good, and I don't think it's an IPA. Tastes more like a somewhat creamy, crappy english bitter that was poured out of a can. Too sweet, not enough hops.

M - Thin, needs more bubbles.

D - Not hard to get down, but I don't want too have anymore.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2010 20:31:10 | More by AgentZero

tatoodkelt

Maryland

3/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I had heard that McEwans wasnt going to be imported much longer so back in December I was lucky enough to score a couple of the scotch ales which I am a big fan of as well as one of these.

Consumed 12/10/2009- from notes.

Brown 12oz bottle as shown poured into a pint glass.

A- Poured a clear rusty brown with a thin soapy white head that faded away quick. It was almost all red when held up to the light. Not much in the way of carbination or lacing.

S- Sweet malts, almost a Log Cabin syrup smell. Not bad, just not what I expected.

T- Pretty much matched the nose with the addition of some light fuits. Didnt seem to be much of a hop presence.

M- Light to medium bodied, a little thinner than I expected. Not any where near as much carbination as I've come to associate with IPA's.

D- Worth a try for a different take on an IPA but I wont be looking for this one a again.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2010 14:22:54 | More by tatoodkelt

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.43/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a dark amber-mahogany with a thin, creamy, quickly dissipating white head.

S: toasty and bready with a light floral hopping.

T: The initial flavor was dark, sweet malt, with a light smokiness and earthy tones. The sweet malt hopping dominates the palate with only a very light hoppiness and fruitiness in the finish.

M: a touch thin, smooth and lightly carbonated.

D: Drinks more like a Scottish ale, very sweet malting with earthy hopping. A decent drink by itself but many will be disappointed in the hop bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2009 23:43:43 | More by beerthulhu

barleywinefiend

Washington

2.9/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured dark caramel color, unusual for an IPA. Had a ruby color tint in the light, no head to note. Nose was almost more malts than hops. Tasted of SOME hops, little bitterness, but not as hoppy as I would like. Perhaps I am waaay to accustom to West Coast IPAs now. I would say for an English IPA it would do the trick.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2008 21:19:01 | More by barleywinefiend

changeup45

Florida

1.8/5  rDev -38.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Sampled in 2004. When I first tried this beer I really liked it. I must have been drunk. I'm glad I've had it again to give it the correct review. IPA? Not even close. IPAs are one of my favorite styles and this has got to be the worst one I've had. This had a dark brown body, a little heavy, with a fairy thick head and a decent amount of lace. The color looks nothing like an IPA. Hops? Hardly any. Are they sure they put the right label on this? Wow. Somewhat smooth, but not a fan of the flavor at all. A scotchy malt flavor is the best way I can describe it. Or a mild version of their Scotch Ale, which I found disgusting. Maybe I'll get it again in a year or so to see what I think then.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2008 19:12:02 | More by changeup45

frischd

Ohio

1.3/5  rDev -55.5%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

My wife poured this into a pint glass when I tried it. I could swear she had a Jack Daniels, "Jack and Cola". The color is a dark caramel color with a nice head. With the first sip I gag a little. After each drink it become easier to go down. But over all it was a challenge to drink the whole bottle. Being a huge fans of hops and IPA I was let down. I am still confuse why this is called an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2008 19:40:25 | More by frischd

JamesS

Indiana

3/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured a wonderful dark copper color, almost a barleywine in tint, with a nice head and nice lacing. A rather weak aroma, a bit of malt (strange for a PA), but not much else. An odd taste for a PA, more malty than hoppy, not really bitter at all. The nice little bit of smokiness saved it from being below average. Goes down pretty smoothly, though.

Try it for a different take on an English IPA, but not if you really want a normal IPA beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2008 04:11:53 | More by JamesS

BBM

New York

3.38/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a deep brown with amber highlights and almost no head. The aroma is earthy and herbal, with that slight twangy sweetness you find in other Scottish ales.

Certainly not in the vain of other IPAs you may be used to, the order of the day here is more herbal and tea-like, with a burnt sweetness colliding with the bitter herbal hop finish. Think of it as an English pale with a Scottish flare and you're almost there. Mouthfeel is medium-thin and well carbonated. This beer is perfectly sessionable and fine to drink as long as you're not expecting an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2007 13:54:12 | More by BBM

Mudpuppet

Massachusetts

2.98/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A- Poured an almost brown color with very little head into an imperial pint glass.

S- Sweet, malty nose with very little hops.

T- It isn't a bad tasting beer but I am with everyone else when they say they thought try got the wrong beer. Until I looked on BA I thought it was labeled incorrectly. I am not a huge blow-your-face-off hops fan and wanted an English IPA with balanced hop presence but this is not an IPA at all. I would call this a brown ale with a nutty almost caramel flavor.

M- This has good carbonation for a brown ale but maybe a bit low for an IPA.

D- It isn't great but very drinkable. I could drink this as a session beer without a problem. GIve it a shot but remember it isn't a IPA!

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2007 19:50:29 | More by Mudpuppet

goffer

California

2.83/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: poured out nicely with little to no head that lingered as the brew went down.
S: Very interesting... not hoppy at all though labeled IPA. It smelt like a cheap wine with some camel malty goodness.
T: For some odd reason I'm picking up on grapes. Very tart and an apparent taste of alcohol... also a bit watery. No bitterness at all.
M: Little carbonation with a lingering taste.
D: I bought a sixer and the 5 brothers will rest in the fridge until a rare mood arises.

I was recommended this beer by a small foreign man who offered his assistance on finding a good beer. I asked for a strong IPA and he pointed me to this, sadly.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2007 05:17:40 | More by goffer

biggmike

Mississippi

3.28/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Not bad, but nothing like what I expected. I thought my beer had been mislabeled until I read others comments. Tasted and looked more like an Octoberfest than IPA. Brown in color with little head, lower alcohol content, and no hoppy bitterness. This is nothing like an IPA. Still, it was pretty drinkable

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2007 14:27:42 | More by biggmike

Phatz

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +30.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

I was warned by a friend, "don't buy that beer" when I put it in my cart. But I feel I must thank my good friend weeare138 who gave me a McEwan's India Pale Ale pint glass from which I am drinking this beer now. Since I had the glass a few people asked if the beer was any good... so, while in the beerstore loading my cart and another friend warns against it, I knew I had to taste this beer. Needless-to-say I now had low expectations for it. I understand the warning but I do enjoy the beer. It is more like a 60 or 70 shilling Scottish ale than it is like an IPA. They through a little bit of extra hops in the Scottish Ale and slapped on a label. I like a sweet woody smoky caramel flavored Scottish ale, and that is what you have here.

Appearance: Pours a gorgeous dark brown partly transparent with a thick tan head that fades slowly and leaves heavy sheets of lacing literally plastered to the walls of my glass.

Smell: Caramel and sweet ripe fruits. It has a fruit juice flavor coming through in the nose along with the toasted malts.

Taste: Flavor of caramel and fruit juice that is lightly sour with a woodiness and rotten fruit. A few swishes and what is left on my cheeks tastes like tea. The beer is a bit watery, but the flavors are nice and approachable.

Mouthfeel: light body clean and crisp.

Drinkability: I like sweet. This beer levees my with a sweetened Ice Tea feel. It is refreshing and easy to drink. I you want depth and intrigue look elseware but this is worth a shot.

Hope this is helpful.
Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2007 07:55:49 | More by Phatz

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

2.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a light brown color with a very thin white head that fades quickly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is heavy with tea mostly. There’s a little bit of caramel, roasted malt and hops in it as well.

T: Just like with the smell, the taste is almost all tea flavored with some caramel, nuts & spice mixed in. There’s a little bit more sweetness in it than most others I’ve had in the style and there’s not much of a hops presence. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Smooth with a little crispness, medium body, light-to-medium carbonation, slightly sticky finish.

D: A little tasty, but definitely not what I had expected, goes down ok, doesn’t really seem to fit the style, so I’ll have to take the label’s word for it that the beer is an EIPA. Overall, I don’t think it’s bad, but it’s yet another English beer that has under-whelmed me.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2007 04:10:56 | More by TheManiacalOne

jwc215

New Jersey

2.2/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Pours dark amber with a thin head that soon becomes a small patch.

The smell is musty, sweet caramelish, grainy, with a slight alcohol touch that probably shouldn't be there considering relatively low abv.

The taste is of sweet malt - caramel, sweet grains. Some earthy, leafy bitterness shows up late, but not enough to balance out sweetness. Hardly a typical IPA. It has a characteristic of a caramelish, farily flat cola, that someone dipped a tea-bag in.

The body is rather thin, certainly weak. It barely hits medium at most. A certain sweetness tries to act in a coating manner, but it doesn't quite hold up.

Much too imbalanced sweetness. Not an IPA - more of a brown ale/pale ale mix with a touch of Scottish Ale that doesn't quite come together well. My advise -don't bother with this, esp. if you are looking for an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2007 00:31:52 | More by jwc215

Frozensoul327

Michigan

3.08/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A: Dark reddish orange color that looks like sun brewed tea made with too many tea bags. White flaking of bubbles on top of the beer are all that remain of the short lived head. Low carbonation.

S: Roasted malts and grain are prevalent. No hops noted. Some grassy aromas, but not much.

T: A mild hop character swells above the sweet malty and grain flavors. Mild husk and earth notes. Som roasted wood characters are noted. Interesting. Not unpleasing.

M: Very watery and bland. No carbonation noted on the tongue, and this one cruises down the throat quite weak.

D: Fair. I'd have another, but the mouthfeel is definitely lacking and the appearance is boardering on horrific. Not one of the better EIPA's i've had.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2007 03:41:52 | More by Frozensoul327

eberkman

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured a dark reddish-purplish brown with a fairly thick, light head.

Not much hops in the nose -- mostly malty notes. Taste was the sort of buttery smoothness I'd typically expect from an ESB, not so much from an IPA. Some hoppiness but not a lot. Goes down smoothly and feels smooth and refreshing in the mouth, but a bit watery.

In any event, a fairly enjoyable brew but not one that I'd peg as very characteristic of the IPA style. And there are better options for bitters out there too.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2007 15:24:09 | More by eberkman

hunteraw

China

3.4/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Somewhat orange tinted garnet in color, very clear. Nice head and impressive lacing.

Smell: Fair bit of diacetyl in the nose. Hop character is mild and earthy. Not what I've come to expect in an IPA, but this is the British version after all.

Taste: Diacetyl is present, but not to the point of distraction. Hint of smoke, especially in the finish. Aftertaste described by a friend as vinous. Some bitterness, but not much in the way of hop flavor at all. I know not to expect lots of hops in an EIPA, but I expect more than this, at least.

Mouthfeel: Lighter than one would expect, given the amount of malt flavor present. Light-medium body, lingering aftertaste.

Drinkability: On its own, easy to drink but not exceptional and not a great example of the style. Paired with some Irish porter cheese it worked pretty well, though - keeping it gaelic here.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2006 21:19:44 | More by hunteraw

Neehan

North Carolina

2.88/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark brownish bronze with a decent sized head, but the most appealing part of the appearance is some nice lacing. Smells of malts with a touch of sour fruits. The taste is rather unremarkable and certainly not like an IPA-- quite weak. The taste is mainly of malts and little else. The mouthfeel is a bit stronger than the taste, but still watery. Quite drinkable because of such an easy finish. If this was not an IPA, I would feel differently but this comes up a bit disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2006 01:48:54 | More by Neehan

durandal

Massachusetts

2.63/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I don't really think I understand this beer. It's kind of dark for your traditional IPA, and the aroma is more like a pub ale or an ESB. The flavor is not very "IPA-ish": it's sweetish and there's really no hop flavor to speak of, at least not that I can taste.

It went down okay-- I gave it a decent score for drinkability-- but I seriously thought that maybe I had ordered the wrong drink since it tasted nothing like any IPA I've ever had.

I will rate it lower in taste and mouthfeel for the disparity between its stated style and what it actually ends up tasting like. It's hard to know what the brewer was even going for since I really couldn't taste any hops, which are to my inexperienced palate the main ingredient in a normal IPA. Worth trying just for the odd experience but I can't recommend it beyond that.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2006 00:31:58 | More by durandal

barefootbrewer

Mississippi

2.85/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This beer poured a dark brown color with a decent head. The smell is malty with a touch of hops. The taste is malty and bitter with a touch of sourness. The mouthfeel is a bit thin and slightly carbonated. This is a pretty non-offensive type beer that is easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2006 21:37:51 | More by barefootbrewer

mrasskicktastic

New Jersey

2.38/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours with a small half finger head that vanished instantaneously to rveal the surface of this clear auburn brew. A small bit of lacing lingers, but nothing dramatic. This doesn't look IPAish.

S - Sweet red licorice mostly. Abit of lemon rind and caramel malt. A faint stomach acid odor.

T - Well a bit of a stomach acid profile here too, but it isn't that potent. There is some caramel malt with a bit molassas and citric acid.

M - Harsh from carbonation, thin, but pretty refreshing.

D - This is pretty drinkable. This is quite possibly the most off style beer I have ever had. This looks, smells and tastes like an ESB. Not a great ESB, but if someone handed this beer to me and asked what it was, in one whiff and one sip I would say, "ESB." I suppose it could pass as a scottish ale too, but IPA would be my last guess. There is very little hop profile, it is hardly "pale" and too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2006 03:13:56 | More by mrasskicktastic

jabocu

Georgia

3.3/5  rDev +13%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours just like sweet tea. Literally, it has no head, has the color and body of pouring a glass of sweet tea. My wife even made the comment that it was wierd that I was drinking our sweet tea without ice. Aroma is light caramel and british malts. No hop aroma at all, which is surprising for even an english IPA. Flavor is lots of british malts and some caramel in the background. Very little hop bitterness. I'm not sure I would classify this as an IPA... more like a bitter. Body is med-light, light carbonation, and a little watery.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2006 13:10:08 | More by jabocu

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.13/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A lighter bodied IPA with above average carbonation to make up for it. But still drinkable and passable for the style. There is bitterness there and some malt, but also on the watery side. Bit of acidity there. Fine at the end of a summer day.Moderate aroma of hops.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2006 02:24:05 | More by northyorksammy

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +40.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

McEwan's IPA is, not surprisingly, simply a more-bitter-than-usual Scottish ale. It's not really an IPA; but then again, many of the IPAs from Britain fail on that point as well. Instead, IPA is used here to declare it as a premium beer. In Britian it's labeled "McEwan's Export India Pale Ale"; and was once the best-selling canned beer in England.
It pours a clear dark-chestnut body beneath a short head of creamy antique-white foam. The head retention is average, and it leaves only minor lacing about the pint.
The nose is malty with a bit of a caramelized edge and some very subtle roastiness or smokiness. Nice!
In the mouth it's medium-light bodied with a bit of a dextrinous edge; and then remarkably smooth with a mild, restrained carbonation that's reminiscent of cask-ale.
The flavor is full with a decidedly malty slant that displays some roasted malt in the background, and perhaps even a touch of smoky peat (or is that just the roastiness deceiving a mind that wants to beleive there's something more there?). It's bitter, but not overdone at around 28 BU's - keep in mind, this beer only starts at around 10.5 degrees Plato!
It finishes with short lingering notes of burnt-sugar, dull caramel, and leafy hops as the bitterness fades.
It's an interesting beer with a distinctively Scottish character that makes a great switch-up from your regular pint, and easily serves in all-aspects as a brilliant session ale. Very well done! An excellent Scottish ale!

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2006 21:57:24 | More by NeroFiddled