Pike India Pale Ale - Pike Pub & Brewery

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

cre83

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-22-2013 08:12:51 | More by cre83

bbadger

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%

05-19-2013 21:15:49 | More by bbadger

KStark

British Columbia (Canada)

4/5  rDev +6.4%

05-16-2013 14:22:44 | More by KStark

tnbeatty

Vermont

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

05-15-2013 21:04:35 | More by tnbeatty

drrone

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-15-2013 05:33:29 | More by drrone

durlta

Iowa

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

05-15-2013 02:04:31 | More by durlta

ericj551

British Columbia (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

05-07-2013 04:25:24 | More by ericj551

curtismontcalm

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev +6.4%

05-06-2013 01:13:09 | More by curtismontcalm

spycow

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

04-28-2013 22:09:32 | More by spycow

WDJersey

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

04-24-2013 01:09:31 | More by WDJersey

BuddyE

Louisiana

3/5  rDev -20.2%

04-08-2013 15:52:36 | More by BuddyE

jwluvsIPA

California

4/5  rDev +6.4%

04-07-2013 00:30:13 | More by jwluvsIPA

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

kemoarps

Washington

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

03-06-2013 09:01:11 | More by kemoarps

animal69

Louisiana

3.25/5  rDev -13.6%

03-04-2013 03:18:19 | More by animal69

portlandmonk

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +19.7%

03-03-2013 03:09:18 | More by portlandmonk

tjdrewry

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +26.3%

02-17-2013 03:26:31 | More by tjdrewry

AnitaBrewski

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

02-10-2013 20:33:40 | More by AnitaBrewski

powdersoldier

Washington

4/5  rDev +6.4%

02-05-2013 05:01:37 | More by powdersoldier

hophead81

4/5  rDev +6.4%

02-04-2013 23:01:02 | More by hophead81

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

od_sf

California

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

01-18-2013 05:55:03 | More by od_sf

Bin33chef

4/5  rDev +6.4%

01-15-2013 05:49:51 | More by Bin33chef

NickThePyro

Washington

3.75/5  rDev -0.3%

12-24-2012 04:44:29 | More by NickThePyro