Gandhi-Bot Double IPA - New England Brewing Co.

Kranders

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a 4-pack of this recently, looking forward to having it after hearing so many good things. Right after I poured there was a huge hop aroma filling the room. I was a little disappointed that it wasn't as hoppy as it smelled. Nice and crisp, not a lot of malt, and pretty good overall but nothing exceptional.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 01:10:22 | More by Kranders

bpgpitt10

District of Columbia

3.9/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz can from Dslim71 (thanks!) poured into tulip

A: Caramel, hazy look to it. Pretty aggressive pour yields a small head that leaves some, but not much, lacing.
S: When I first poured it there was distinct pine, but as it has warmed a bit the pine is gone and it seems more citrus with a slight malt smell.
T: Citrus to malt to a lingering bitterness. Slight alcohol finish... but very slight and not bad for that at all. The bitter definitely hangs on.
M: Moderate to low carbonation. It's definitely not syrupy, but pretty solid. Maybe slightly under the carbonation I'd want.

O: I thought this was pretty darn tasty. Nice flavors, hides the alcohol well. The bitterness lingering lowers the drinkability a bit... but it's 8.8% sooo I don't wan too many anyhow!

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2011 21:55:37 | More by bpgpitt10

Krakistophales

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours grapefruit colored with a finger of white head that sticks around.

S: Floral hops, citrus aromas, pineapple, peach, pear, and piney hops as well.

T: Huge burst of floral and citrusy hops at first, entering into a middle of light fruity flavors, followed by a bitter hop finish with slight accents of most noticeably pineapple.

O: This is one fantastic brew. If I had to say, my top 5 IIPAs are:

DFH 90 minute
Avery Maharaja
Oskar Blues Gubna
NEBC Ghandi Bot
Brew dog Hardcore IPA

Obviously a fantastic brew if it joins my top 5 after one review. Go get you some!

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2011 05:08:03 | More by Krakistophales

brian44556

Kentucky

4.13/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Brez07 for sending a 4 pk out to me. Poured a 12oz can into a Stone Specialty 16oz IPA glass. No freshness date on the can.

Pours a beautiful honey color that forms a thick white head. Head doesn't stay around long, but the lacing on the glass is the best I have ever seen. Smells of pine, floral hops, and citrus. Tastes of bitter hops, citrus, grapefruit, and a sweet malt. The mouthful has a perfect texture and the carbonation is very good. Overall this beer ranks as a top tier DIPA. I would put this in the same category as Pliny the Elder, Dreadnaught, etc. I would have no problem drinking a 4 pack of these in a setting and wish it was sold around here. It would become a staple in the fridge!

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2011 03:48:28 | More by brian44556

JMD

Connecticut

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

A: Pours a hazy copper color with orange tones. Big frothy head that fades slowly and leaves big clumpy lacing down the glass.

S: Huge hop aroma. Sweet piney hop resin practically jumps out of the glass. Balanced with a nice sweetness from the malt.

T: Sweet carmel malt upfront, then the hops kick in. Sweet piney resin, earthy hop oils and ruby red grapefruit. This beer has an extremely long finish. That delicious hop bite seems to last forever on the tongue.

M: Medium bodied, ample carbonation for the style. Long dry finish. Not syrupy like alot of DIPA's.

D: Another excellent offering from NEBC. Those guys seem to put out great beer after great beer. And Ghandi-bot is no exception. Big hop flavor, nice malty balance, this is a great DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2010 00:37:16 | More by JMD

Wasatch

Utah

4.35/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks goes out to GoGriz for this brew.

Pours a very nice hazy dark copper color, nice carbonation, very nice thick creamy two-finger light tan head, with some nice sticky lacing left behind. The nose is hoppy, a nice little malt note, citrus, pine note. The taste is sweet, hoppy, nice little malt note, good punch of citrus and pines. Medium body. Very Drinkable, this one really surprised me, very nice, true to style. Thanks Cody!

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2010 00:22:39 | More by Wasatch

WrathOfKahne

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +10%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I feel kind of bad. Living literally within a mile of the brewery, we blew through 3 or 4 four-packs of this stuff before we realized what a hot commodity they would become. Ahh well, next time I guess.

Anyway, fantastic brew. Has all the citrus and pine notes of the best west coast doubles, without being as aggressively bitter as them. Strong grapefruit presence. In fact, this might end up being the definitive grapefruit beer if that's what you're into. Definitely way too sessionable for a 9% brew.

Another gem from a couple of guys who basically work out of a garage. Way to be NEBCO.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2010 18:31:57 | More by WrathOfKahne

alpinebryant

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poura an Orange Marigold color with a light dusting of microscopic white bubbles.

Smell of strong grapefruit, very strong pine and caramel malts.

Taste of tons of pine, IBU factor / bittering hops really might be a little too much for my liking. It tastes delicious, I just feel like the bitterness could be toned down a little bit and or it could be sweetened up with a little more maltiness. In any case, a very good DIPA in a 16 oz can. Light carbonation, strong hop presence, strong mouthfeel.

Drinkability is pretty good, I only managed to pick up two of these at 4.99 each, so the whole drinkability factor went right out the window, but enjoy them if you found some.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2010 00:48:23 | More by alpinebryant

Adamdc

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

16 oz bottle poured into nonic glass.

<<<Just wanted to note that the artwork on the can is quite odd! I don't get the connection between the image and the title of the beer. Anyway, I don't claim to be an art critic. >>>

A: Hazy deep orange body topped off by half inch of white foam that dissipates quickly but leaves extensive lacing

S: Wow! This smells wonderfully! A very sweet citrus aroma with pine blended in backed up by caramel. This all blends together very nicely.

T: The citrus steps back a bit and a very strong pine-resin blast hits you. Strong malt/caramelly backbone creates a nice balance. Finish is bitter with a slight taste of alcohol. This'll wake up your palate!

M: Oily. That explains it perfectly. Nice and thick...oily!

D: It's midnight right now. I'd love to take down 2 or 3 of these on a hot summer day (maybe this weekend). Very drinkable!

This is a very intense DIPA that really hits the spot. The aroma and mouthfeel are excellent! I hope this is a year-round release by New England Brewing!

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2010 03:32:44 | More by Adamdc

thetomG

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a beautifully hazy/cloudy light amber color with just a small amount of white foamy head that disappears quickly but leaves behind some nice sticky lacing on the glass.

Aroma is subtle but excellent - very nice fruity notes (maybe some citrus & banana?) along with a typical piney/resiny hoppiness.

The flavor is a blast of hoppy bitterness that blows up your palate right away. I'd say its medium sweetness, heavy bitterness with just a hint of sour in the finish. Well carbonated with some nice bubbliness as you sip.

Good beer and something I would definitely drink again.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2010 00:41:12 | More by thetomG

kevanb

Illinois

4.24/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12oz can poured into a stemless wine glass, many thanks to Treebs for the fresh can.

The beer pours a hazy copper orange color, hues of honey and straw with a 2 finger soapy white head that dissipates quickly and leaves just a spot of lace behind. The aroma is heavy on citrus, mainly grapefruit with bits of tangerine, grassy hops, wildflower and fresh meadowy earthiness, light pine and just a touch of sweet malt. Lots of bitter pine, fresh floral flavors and citrus goodness on the tongue. The grapefruit plays nicely with some lemongrass and other weedy, grassy flavors and the pine really ties it together with just enough crisp, almost spiciness from the hops. There is just a touch of sweet pale malt at the end, but this is all hops. The body is great, coats the mouth well, quite juicy at times that has an almost creamy texture at times but finishes wonderfully dry.

Verdict: A damn fine IPA from NEBCO, bitter, piney, citrusy, flavorful and most importantly, balanced. While I'm sure that this beer gets overshadowed by Heady and the Hill Farmstead IPA craze, this can easily hold it's own and is deserving of all praises and accolades.

Serving type: can

05-20-2013 02:31:05 | More by kevanb

Gmann

New York

3.73/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a dirty golden color with a soapy off white head that settled into a sparse cap.

The aroma is of herbal/fruity hops. An onion and overripe tropical fruit profile; orange and pineapple. It seems that every hoppy beer I have out of a can has the same exact aroma, weird.

Big tropical fruit hop flavor. Lots of pineapple and apricot. This is followed by a grassy and piney hop which lasts through the finish. The malt is bready but takes a back seat to the hops. Resiny metallic bitterness in the finish.

Moderate feel with moderate carbonation. Starts sweet on the palate but ends very much bitter.

Expected more from this beer. More of an east coast dipa. Hop profile not my favorite but it packs a punch.

Serving type: can

05-18-2013 21:16:39 | More by Gmann

JMScowcroft

Vermont

4.8/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

New England Brewing Co. - Gandhi-Bot Double IPA - 12fl oz can

Thanks to Hendry for being able to snag me four of these bad boys. Gotta love the awesome artwork on these cans.

Look - Pours a hazy darker amber brown with a massive soapy head. Super sticky abundant lacing. Moderate carbonation. East Coast DIPA for sure.

Smell - All of the hops. Pine, citrus (sour typical grapefruit version here), some floral, and even a smidgen of resin hop aromas with an almost spicy bite on the edge of it. Smooth caramel malts underneath. Perfect.

Taste - A phenomenal introduction blend of the somewhat darker malts with a nice pine/resin hop overlay. After this is immediately transforms into a glorious grapefruit bomb.

Mouthfeel - Rests sour citrus grapefruit hops on the roof of the mouth and the palate. Slightly boozy and a little warming to the face and stomach.

Overall - Wow. This is one for the books here, what a great brew! Highly recommend! Cheers! You can compare this brew somewhat to Heady Topper, but it has its own flair with the different malts and less of a floral hit.

Serving type: can

05-17-2013 11:25:42 | More by JMScowcroft

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at NEBCO

Peach-amber color, hazy, with a finger or so of foamy white head; moderate retention and lacing. Nice hoppy aroma, citrus, pine, tropical fruit, light floral notes, some malty sweetness detectable. Again in the taste, lots of hops, orange, grapefruit, pine, pineapple, sweet malt base with a touch of honey and/or orange blossom in there. Definitely had a bitter bite to it, but the sweetness took a bit of the edge off, and it was pretty smooth for an 8.8% beer. Medium body, easily drinkable for the style, and overall quite good.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2013 02:13:33 | More by Rifugium

Hendry

Vermont

4.68/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Ahh, the long awaited Ghand-Bot finally in hand! Props to J.T. & Drew @ Westmere Beverage on the outskirts of Albany,NY for the Heady Topper/Ghandi-Bot swap. Ghandi-Bot tends to disappear quickly from the shelves, and now I understand why. The artwork on the can is bizarre and likeable all at once, yet builds intrigue.

Pours a cloudy burnt orange with a fluffy two finger cotton head that remains for a few minutes before reducing to a tight permanent cap atop this pleasant looking IIPA. Lacing is relatively average in the tulip glass. There is a slight amount of chunky yeast in there, but that isn't a minus in my book.

Upon expecting a tropical fruit salad to emit from cracking the 12 oz. can, I found myself equally intrigued with the piney-ness and herbal quality to the nose: don't expect the nose to jump out at you like a can of Heady Topper. There is even a slight catty quality to the nose due to NEBCO's selection of hops, but I have to admit, this is the first time that subtle aroma gave character rather detracted for my tastes.

Whatever qualities that may be perceived as missing from the aroma are quickly redeemed in the taste of Ghandi-Bot. Piney, resinous hops: semi sticky & chewy, interesting yeast interplay.
Flavors are strong pine and herb with some grapefruit rind making an appearance, and the lively carbonation moves things along without making too much of a statement. Medium bodied and very smooth drinking, no notes of alcohol or warming.

The grapefruit kick is understated in the initial flavors, but plays out nicely in a long lasting bitter aftertaste that is almost slightly cidery. All in all, there is juicy, tangy yet slightly savory quality rather than straight out sweet. Fans used to the tropical infusion in a can (i.e.Heady Topper) should welcome the qualities Ghandi-Bot has to offer.

Highly recommended and worthy of the solid ratings it has earned. I still think Heady Topper is superior overall because of the massive tropical overload, but Ghandi-Bot has nothing to apologize for: go buy some if you can find it, this one sells quickly.

Serving type: can

05-12-2013 02:12:24 | More by Hendry

mjtiernan

New York

4.41/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz can poured into an oversized stemmed tulip

A: Orange red color, slightly hazy, not much head on it...just a ring around the edge with some spotted coverage on top.

S: Mostly citrus hop aroma with slight tropical notes and some biscuity malt. Slight aroma of alcohol as well.

T: Just great. Lots and lots of citrus balanced nicely with some cookie-like malt. Nice bitter finish.

M: A dry beer for so much hop presence. I would have expected it to be more oily. Nicely bitter but not a palate-killer, medium body and low-to-medium carb.

O: Very clean. All the ingredients shine through. Wonderful flavor and a pleasure to drink.

Serving type: can

05-10-2013 02:43:13 | More by mjtiernan

BTVflatlander

Vermont

4.38/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked up a growler of Gandhi just this afternoon at NEBCO. At $15 a growler, it better be good.

Served in a Gandhi Bot snifter.

A: A tad more orange than some other DIPAs I've had, although there's that one I never pour.

S: Lots of hops, more citrus than pine, although both are present.

T: Bitter hops in the beginning, followed by bitter citrus. Not quite grapefruit, though. Very crisp. One of the few DIPAs I've had with a pleasing balance between hop and malt.

M: Heavy, classic high alcohol DIPA.

O: I must admit, I was not terribly impressed when I first had Gandhi from a can, especially since I paid $15 for a 4-pack. However, seeing that I've since come to appreciate a good IPA and DIPA, I decided to give it a try on tap. And, I must say, I was painfully mistaken. Gandhi joins the likes of Heady Topper and many of Hill's IPAs as some of the best-done IPAs in my book. I was astonished to learn that NEBCO has been in my former back yard for years and even more astonished that good old Connecticut could produce a DIPA to rival those of the Green Mountain State. I will undoubtedly be returning to Gandhi over and over again whilst in the 203.

Serving type: growler

05-10-2013 00:05:24 | More by BTVflatlander

Treebs

Illinois

4.16/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Big thanks to cosmicevan for sending a few cans of this my way. Served in a Funkwerks snifter.

A: Pours a hazy orange color with a frothy white head forming on the pour. It recedes to a thick ring that leaves some sticky and soapy looking lace.

S: Grapefruit with some mild honey dew melon. A little orange with sweet bread malts. Nice citrus notes with a great malt backbone.

T: A little more maltier on the palate, but there's a nice bitterness that counteracts this. Grapefruit, some citrus rind, candied lemon and some mild resinous bitterness.

M: Medium to light bodied with a slightly bitter finish. Medium carbonation level with a slightly dry texture.

O: Really nice. Easy drinking, nice balance of flavors. Coming in a can is a plus for sure as well.

Serving type: can

05-09-2013 23:26:31 | More by Treebs

ItalianHopHead203

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Hands Down the Best Beer in Connecticut!!!

Top 3 IPA's I've ever had!!!

Top two can beers I've ever had!!!

This beer was once a Connecticut only brew and now New England is venturing off into NY. Lucky Them!!!

Just enough availability to it that its still rare, but you can get it enough that its not impossible.

Serving type: can

05-09-2013 14:26:38 | More by ItalianHopHead203

MatthewPlus

Florida

4.1/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A big thanks to ManMoosePig for this beer. in his FIRST trade. i suspect there will be many more.

12oz can poured into a J Wakefield snifter.

A- one finger head, slightly rocky, atop a cloudy deep goldenrod hue.

S- pine, citrus of orange, grapefruit, tangerine. resinous undertones.

T- Balanced malt backbone, leads to hoppy, floral/citrus balance. not as bitter as i thought it would be.

M- syrupy, less carbonated than i would prefer. medium/short finish.

O- i was a bit disappointed in this one. Very drinkable, but in relation to the stellar scores it has received, it fell quite a bit short. if it were available locally, i would buy it, but wouldnt rave about it.

Again, a big thanks to ManMoosePig. Beautiful box.

EDIT:
This fucking crazy person, ManMoosePig, sent me a free box of super fresh Gandhi-Bot because he didnt like my review! What a nut!
Seriously dude thanks so much... completely unsolicited and unexpected. Advocate.

This go-round, i got quite a bit more pine in the nose, which is much more floral overall and hop-forward. It still has a big malt backbone and fresher seems to carry more of a honey-sweetness. Long finish and overall the freshness make a noticeable difference. Thanks again brother!

Serving type: can

04-27-2013 01:18:29 | More by MatthewPlus

beerpirates

Belgium

4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz can poured into my CBS snifter

A - Pours a hazy, medium orange with a two finger light tan head. Good retention and lacing.

S - Citrusy, oranges zest , lemons, grapefruit followed by a slight sweet maltiness.

T - Same as the smell, but a bit more malty.

D - Slight bitter finish. Good carbonation and a slightly chewy.

O - This is a nicely balanced IPA with a nice bitter aftertaste that stays a long time !

Serving type: can

04-24-2013 18:32:18 | More by beerpirates

SaisonRichBiere

Michigan

3.94/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to ThePorterSorter for this one.

Poured from a can into a goblet glass.

Appearance- Hazy light amber orange with just a very little bit of residual head on it. The head is the thickest around the glass, with a little bit of lacing on the glass.

Smell- Pungent hoppy tang with tropical fruit salad all over it. Like a pineapple-mango-papaya-tangerine smoothie. Big orange zest notes on the finish.

Taste- Sweet and fruity at first, but fades quickly into a dry hop/malt finish. Dry citrus essence at the finish with strong, bright tangerine zest hanging out on the palate.

Mouthfeel- A bit heavy and thick, but with a smooth and creamy texture. A bit of lip tickling fizz at first.

Overall- A very good representation of the style, I would get this any time I have the opportunity. A very versatile, year-round IPA.

Cheers.

Serving type: can

04-21-2013 01:48:56 | More by SaisonRichBiere

MCain04

Illinois

4.24/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Lucky enough to have a brother in the Connecticut area, as this is really hard to get ahold of. This can is about 2 wks fresh, served out of a 12 oz can and into a Bell's Tulip glass. Thanks BostonRyan

A: murky orange-brown opaque body, not the prettiest beer at the ball. Pure white head of about 1-2 finers, good retention and lacing.

S: Grassy and piney, just a tad of citrus and grapefruit

T: A lot of hops on the body with extreme levels of bitterness with a lot of piney taste, some citrus notes are present as well. One of the most bitter beers I've had. No alcohol presence.

M: Puckering sensation from the intense hopping, but underneath is crisp and smooth with a great finish, obviously dry. Carbonation is moderate and appropriate.

O: A lot can be said about this beer and the level of hops put forward. For the bitter-seeker, this is definitely a must-try. However, most will prefer a beer with more balance. I don't think the body is big enough to support the huge hop burden. That said, it's still a very good DIPA and one to try if you ever have the opportunity.

Serving type: can

04-20-2013 19:44:40 | More by MCain04

PHBoiler

Illinois

4.51/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Had this beer twice over the weekend. Shared pours in tulips, then had one straight from the can. The scent is heavy grapefruit. So much hop action on the nose. Bright and pungent. The taste went from 3.75 to 4.5 for me from poured to can. I pour all my beers, but this was so much better from the can. The taste is more balanced from the can. Everything you could want from a IIPA.

Serving type: can

04-18-2013 15:18:37 | More by PHBoiler

vfgccp

New York

4.64/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

A - Thick haze. Shade flat, but what's there lightly off-white. Deep white peach body.

S - Wow. Straight woody pine with undertones of agave, mango, and grapefruit. Incredibly fresh.

T - Stellar. The flavor profile throws a bushel of fresh hops front and center and clears everything else off the stage. Parsley, rosemary, bitter wood, grapefruit pith, with a touch of honeydew mellon sweetness.

M - Light, creamy frame carries an unbelievably rich flavor profile. Quick, clean finish.

O - A tour de force of clean, fresh hop flavors. One of the best IPA's I've ever had.

Serving type: can

04-18-2013 01:32:13 | More by vfgccp