Pike India Pale Ale - Pike Pub & Brewery

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.88/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Coppery and clear, light tan head wasn't bad and lacing was good.

Aroma is subdued but nice, earthy hops, piney resin, light malts.

Taste is pretty balanced, if a bit heavy on the earthy hops side. Malts are ample and create a nice balanced beer. I think the munich malt adds a nice dimension, it's not something I see a lot in IPAs.

Body is medium and actually pretty drinkable, despite the rather heavy malt and hops assault on your tastebuds. Honestly, it seems slightly barleywise-esque, at least in the way the malt profile comes across, but without the higher alcohol content. I doubt that's helpful, but that's how I taste it.

Overall this beer makes me want to try more of Pike's beers. That should say it all right there.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 21:40:58 | More by AlCaponeJunior

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.84/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pike IPA has a medium, creamy, cream-colored head, an opaque, orange appearance, some visible bubbles stuck to the side of the glass, and a bit of lacing left behind. The aroma is of musty, piney hops, hop oil, some citrus, and malt. Taste is of alcohol, piney oil, dank, wet hay, white bread and white bread crust, lots of hop bitterness, especially in the aftertaste, and a bit of citrus peel. Mouthfeel is medium to heavy and soft, and Pike IPA finishes wet, heavy, sloshy, and drinkable. Overall, this is one of those heavy, mushy Indian Pale Ales. It’s still remarkable and worth trying.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 13:36:00 | More by RonaldTheriot

harrymel

Washington

2.85/5  rDev -24.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bottled: unk

Pours a honey color with plenty of yeast globs. Broken sheet of light cream foam. Smells like earthy hops, a touch of grapefruit and resin - standard NW style, but sans artistry. Tastes bitter with biscuit and warm malts. Really simple flavor with little left to ponder. Medium bodied with moderate carb and an off-dry finish. Meh.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 08:36:56 | More by harrymel

rickyleepotts

Arizona

4.13/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

I have never been to Seattle, but Sheryl went this year for a few days. She stayed in downtown Seattle and had a great time. Now that we are in Arizona, hopefully we can take a week there in the near future. While she was there she went to Pike Brewing Company. She brought back some beers including the Pike Monk’s Uncle Tripel Ale (which is on our list) and the Pike IPA, which is also on our list. Tonight we are digging into a bottle of the IPA with hope it made the trip from Indiana without harm. The last few beers we opened that traveled west with us have been spoiled. This one looks good in the bottle… let’s drink!

In the Glass: This is a good looking IPA. We have a bomber of this, so it makes nearly two pints. The beer is thick, almost orange, and has a huge rich foamy head. The head sticks around for a while, too. The lace is perfect… what a good IPA should be! This is my first beer from Pike, and while I haven’t been to Seattle, I am excited to try this beer.

Nose: Not as much nose as I had hoped. But since this beer traveled with us from Indiana, I have to count my lucky stars that we can even drink it! Cheers to that. What I am getting from the nose is subtle earthy aroma that reminds me of the Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA. Granted, the Dogfish Head is nearly 20% ABV… but the balance that beer brings, even though it has such an impressive ABV, is still something to write home about.

Flavor: The flavor is nice. It isn’t as hoppy as I wanted, but even though I consider myself a “hop head”, I can still appreciate a well-balanced IPA. That is what this is. There are some earthy notes in the flavor, as well. Not like chewing on dirt or anything… but there is some substance there. From the time it hits your lips, it is just a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is nice, too. There isn’t much going on up front, but when it hits the back of your palate, the thickness kicks in and you get a feeling for the craft part of this craft beer. This isn’t your average IPA. There is a certain thickness that reminds me of some home brews I have had. Toward the end, the beer quickly turns to the best part… the aftertaste.

Aftertaste: Whoa, that’s a nice aftertaste. The beer is thick, and leaves a mighty finish on your tongue… then you swallow thinking there is still beer in your mouth. Nope. That’s just the thick and creamy aftertaste that I wish all beers had. The aftertaste lasts, too. I am talking a good three minutes or more. It’s weird, because with most hoppy beers, the aftertaste is there but quickly turns to a copper flavor. This beer just hangs on with that creaminess that you experience across the board. A very well done IPA.

This is my first experience with Pike beers… and I am impressed. I can’t wait to get out to Seattle and try these beers on at the brewery. Imagine drinking these at the brewpub. Can’t wait!!! I would say, even if you don’t like an IPA, you would enjoy this. There is enough balance and malt character to go around. It’s not malty… but it is one of the most malty IPAs I have had in a while. Bottoms up, people!

Pike IPA – The bottle says: “NA”

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 04:41:22 | More by rickyleepotts

ckollias

Maryland

4.23/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this bottle out of a porter glass.

A: Pours an orange hue with a white, frothy, thin head that slowly dissipates down the side of the glass leaving a nice trail and ending in a solid persistent lace.

S: Strong Munich malt aroma mixed with a piney hop aroma.

T: Malt sweetness meets hop bitterness to create a great balance. Munich malts give a caramel flavor followed by the citrus and piney hops.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Wow – what a great beer. Brilliantly balanced between the hops and malt.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 01:29:21 | More by ckollias

mdaschaf

Washington

3.28/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Review from notes.

A: Pours a hazy orange color with a small off-white head on top. Not much retention or lacing.

S: Seems to a bit on the malty side for an IPA. Some graham cracker malt, caramel, and a little bread. There is some faint grass and citrus fruit.

T: Also a little maltier than I would prefer with some caramel malt pretty heavy throughout. Some light grassy and floral hops as well as some faint citrus.

M: Light to medium bodied with medium carbonation. Pretty easy drinking.

O: An average IPA, a little on the malty side.

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2012 01:07:29 | More by mdaschaf

DCon

Missouri

3.83/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on-tap @ the Alaskan Lodge (Alaskan Brewing Co Airport Location) in Seattle, WA for $8.50. Tapped from a Silver Tap Handle w/ Pike IPA in a Red/White square label popped out into a 20oz Hefeweizen Glass.

Aroma- Nice hop presence but the malt is more dominant in here. Simcoe hops used definitely.

Appearance- Received with a 1.5 finger head that has good retention. Has a crystal clear, copper body and leaves minimal lacing behind.

Flavor- Very sweet and hoppy upfront. Well balanced with malt and has a light-medium bitterness level.

Mouthfeel- Light-Medium Bodied, Medium Carbonation, Smooth, and sweet on the finish just like the taste/flavor.

Overall Impression- A VERY sessionable IPA. Really enjoyed this at the time and will give it props for being what it is. More like an English IPA with a great presence of sweetness and simcoe hops. Give it a try!

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2012 20:59:27 | More by DCon

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Pike's in Seattle.

Pours a bright but deep golden hue with good clarity. Head is very solid and full, forming a white crown above the beer. Some patchy lace forms. Body is light, but streaming with carbonation. Looks very decent.

Nose is pithy and pungent lemon freshness from the start. Very powerful and very enjoyable. This is backed up by some solid, if slightly meaty malt characters—just enough to give some coherence and weight to the aroma. Overall, it comes across as fresh and bright. Good stuff.

Taste is similar. Really nice, fresh, lemony hop characters, with a punchy, pithy bitterness to bring up the rear. The malt is subsumed by the hops, but provides the support required to showcase them. It's balanced and drinkable too, with a clean brusqueness on the back that ensures you're bustled into taking your next sip.

This is a good beer indeed, and far above the more pedestrian efforts in the Pike range. Very nicely balanced, fresh and pithy IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2012 04:51:47 | More by lacqueredmouse

Noxious26

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle with pry off cap poured in a pint glass. Purchased at Willow Park Wines in Regina.

Cloudy, orangey-copper in colour. Off-white head is 1/4 inch on the pour and recedes to a thin ring around the edge and a few islands of foam. The odd string of lace makes an appearance.

Citrus hops and sweet malts. Caramel, grapefruit, mandarin oranges.

Big punch of hops in the mouth. Somewhat balanced at the start, but still leaning towards citrus hops with an appearance of malts. As we move into the middle and towards the finish the profile becomes increasingly bitter and hoppy. Aftertaste is leafy and herbal hops while being long and drawn out.

Medium bodied and a little oily with moderate carbonation.

Overall it's a pretty average, run of the mill, American IPA. More interested in the hop punch than any kind of balance. Give it a try!

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2012 04:11:37 | More by Noxious26

NoHipTee

Washington

3.38/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance did not hint at the slightly floral finish that would be bestowed on the priveleged individual that has the chance to partake in such a lovely example of a smooth IPA. Very well done. I am not a fan of all the beers at Pike but do believe that they nailed this one. Not toooo hoppy but just enough to be a fine example of what, in my opinion, an IPA should taste like.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2012 18:31:32 | More by NoHipTee

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bomber - from Total wine summerlin las vegas NV for 4.99$

Appearance - Hazy copper colour with a large size frothy off white coloured head. There is a low amount of carbonation and there is some good lacing. The head lasted for over 5 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Malts, caramel, hops, grapefruit, pineapple, oranges

Taste & Mouth - There is an average amount of carbonation and the taste is made up of caramel and malts mixed with hops. It also has a orange juice/zest flavour with a hint of pineapple and some grapefruit. It ends with a caramel and fruit aftertaste with a medium amount of lingering hop bitterness.

Overall - An above average IPA that has some nice tropical fruit flavours and a decent dose of hops. I'd be happy to to drink it again and I am looking forward to trying their DIPA. Worth picking up if you like fruity IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 00:16:55 | More by spinrsx

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.53/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Seatac airport (where the pickings today were indeed slim - and service slow).

The beer pours a fairly dark amber color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is OK, with some dry citrus, light cherry, and really not much else. The flavor profile provides a bit more hoppy bitterness than one would expect from the nose, but this is not a very impressive IPA. It's on the sweet and malty side, with some bitterness and light alcohol on the finish. The finish is fairly dry, and mouthfeel is medium bodied with a slight boozy, bitter finish.

While not terrible, this is really nothing to get very excited about. However, the options were pretty limited in the S concourse, so I was glad to get what I could.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2012 18:37:34 | More by johnmichaelsen

EspressoGuy

British Columbia (Canada)

2.9/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A: cloudy, orange/amber; head dissipates quickly
S: clean, direct, one dimensional, not very intense or complex; navel orange, pineapple
T: not much. Low intensity, clean, no noticeable hop or malt character; hint of bitterness at the end. Disappointing how boring it is.
M: on the lighter side. Fine.

With so many good IPAs out there, I certainly wouldn't buy this one again.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2012 02:41:52 | More by EspressoGuy

aranheaney

New York

3.98/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a red solo cup at poker thanks to iron mike for this one

A-hard to tell in said vessel, but appears to be hazy copper

S-pIne citrus and nice hops

T-Very nice, smooth and session able

M-decent, fairly smooth

O-very good will do again

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 03:10:13 | More by aranheaney

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a tumbler pint, the beer is a hazy, opaque, copper coloring with a ruby hue through the depths. The head starts around a quarter of an inch of white, frothy, light bubbles, but quickly settles out into a sparse film. The nose is a very well blended mix of sweet toffee and fresh, green, resiny hops, with a citrusy highlight. Flavors are more hopcentric, with the grapefruit shining through on the forward tongue to complinent the hops. Bitter, resiny, and somewhat sweet green, fresh hops flavors boosted by the grapefruit tartness and all balanced by the malt sweet backbone. The beer is a nice, round, midbody, which works great with the flavors. The aftertaste is rich and tangy, with only a touch of the bitter and rich hops, leading to a smooth, slightly dry finish. Great representation of the American IPA style. Very tasty. I've had it from a cask when we lived in Seattle, and it is very different and very delicious in that serving, as well.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 23:23:47 | More by GarthDanielson

JimKal

North Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This reminded me of one of my favorite Double IPA but with a lower alcohol content. It had just the right amount of bitterness to make you realize you were drinking an IPA but didn't blow your tastebuds away.

It poured a hazy amber with good carbonation. I really enjoyed this IPA and wish Washington state wasn't so far away.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 14:12:59 | More by JimKal

Immortale25

Florida

4.49/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Delirium Tremens snifter. No readable freshness date.

A- From a heavy pour comes a dark, hazy copper color with a two finger head that retains nicely and dissolves to an 1/8 inch head with a heavy sheet of foam on the surface. A healthy amount of hop/yeast sediment clings to the glass that's accompanied by sticky lacing. Obviously bottle conditioned.

S- Sweet, malty initial aroma that's backed by an earthy hop presence. Combined, it kind of smells hearty yet, at the same time, a bit astringent if that makes sense. Interesting.

T- Cereal grain sweetness in the front reminds me of fresh wort, which I love. The hops follow closely behind and reinforce the previously detected earthy undertones. Absolutely delicious.

M- Full and viscous. I feel that, the more sediment in a bottle conditioned beer, the more substance and body it possesses. Medium-high carbonation does a lot to confirm this as well as complement the brew as a whole.

O- An amazing beer. I've always seen this brewery's beers at different stores but hesitated to buy their offerings simply because I'd never heard of them. But now that I live near a Total Wine & More, Pike's beers are offered at discount prices through their Brewery Direct program and I thought "What the hell?" and bought one. Man am I glad I did that.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2011 01:44:52 | More by Immortale25

kingcrowing

Vermont

3.23/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap poured into a sampling glass.

Pours a very clear amber with a small white head with lots of what lacing. Nose is tame without much going for it.

Taste is well balanced, malty with a light hop bite but not over he top, fairly earthy with a smooth finish. Carbonation is light.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2011 21:17:43 | More by kingcrowing

zbellino

Louisiana

4.22/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Nice cloudy honey-rust color. It has beautiful froth too it, and it sticks around for a bit and leaves a nice web on the glass. It has sediment, or at least the big beer I was drinking from had chunks in it. I actually like some of that, it adds texture to the appearance. YMMV.

S-Had an thyme or oregano scent hidden at the top. Behind that was a strong undercurrent of sweetness, and a surprising little yeasty note buried very deep. All together, it doesn't throw itself at your nose though, very mild.

T-Bitter in the front and back. The way a west-coast IPA should be. Nice tease of sour on the sides, and a good sweetness that is a hazy as the brew to balance it.

M- Solid 2% feel ... with a nice bubble tingle.

O- It isn't the most innovative, though the cloudiness I saw is a bit different for this style. All in all, though, it's an exemplary execution of a mainstay style.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 17:28:53 | More by zbellino

koopa

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this one on tap at the Hawthorne Hophouse on 9/1/11

Appearance: Pours a nice honey tinged light caramel with a 1.5 finger white crown that displays medium retention and medium lace.

Smell: Not much going on....a little bit of toffe malt and light amount of pine stained citrus.

Taste: Same as nose but more vibrant. Hint of herbal hop bite.

Mouthfeel: Thin side of medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: Sessionable but not super tasty.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2011 01:54:01 | More by koopa

nandemo1

Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a slightly hazy copper with a big frothy head.

Smell was pretty citrusy but taste came out to be very malty with citrus rind and herbal notes. Bitterness was mild.

Mouthfeel was pretty heavy and sticky.

It is a decent offering, but I'd like to try it fresh from the brewery. Not sure how long this bottle had been sitting around.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 01:34:33 | More by nandemo1

caddybuyer

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a chilled bomber, 6.3 ABV, 60 IBU.

A-Pours a dark apricot unfiltered amber with a fairly thin eggshell head that settles rapidly. Nice looking beer, a bit dark from what I would expect from an IPA.

S-Mostly sweet caramel malts. Not picking up much hop character here, but what I am picking up is of the citrus rind variety.

T-Huge creamy hop goodness mated with an equally huge sweet juicy malt backbone. Well balanced taste that tapers off in a lingering astringent bitter finish. Feels bigger than the ABV suggests, taste-wise.

M-Well balanced carbonation, and a creamy mouthfeel that is fairly heavy for the style, but I'm not saying it is a bad thing, just different.

O-I will definitely be buying this again. Nice switchup from the traditional summer refresher IPA, this would do very well with some chill in the wind. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2011 23:58:48 | More by caddybuyer

shand

Florida

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a Sam Adams perfect pint.

This brew pours a fairly deep amber color with a finger of sticky head. The aroma has bright citrus, malts, and a herbal hop. The taste is good, it's got a bright citrus over a caramel malt backbone. Bitter, herbal hops come in on the backend. A good English-style IPA. The mouthfeel just isn't quite right, it could probably use a bit more carbonation. The drinkability is fairly good. Overall, a decent English IPA, nothing worth getting excited over.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 03:23:28 | More by shand

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Light copper with some honey colored notes to it. Thin off white head disappates pretty quickly, though it leaves some pretty heavy lacing.
S- Smell is grapefruit, generally citrusy, with decent pale malt balance.
T- A decently well balanced beer. Seems like munich malts come through a bit more than most ipa's. Hop character is citrusy, though it really has more bitterness than citrus flavor. A bit astringent in the finish and that hurt the taste score for me.
M- Decently full body, but it really could use a bit more carbonation. Fell pretty flat on the tongue.
O- A pretty good IPA, but it doesn't really stand out from the pack for me. Would drink again, but wouldn't seek out or recommend as a top tier example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 01:52:20 | More by jsprain1

mikeg67

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Pike brewery. Pours amber hue with a white, foamy head and much lacing. Aroma is of caramel malt, citrus hops and some ripe fruit. Light, smooth body. Citrusy, piney hops, grapefruit dominate the palate, while caramel malt struggles to provide some balance. The finish is long and hoppy. Good but nothing special IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2011 16:16:59 | More by mikeg67