Big Rock India Pale Ale - Big Rock Brewery

allergictomacros

Ontario (Canada)

2.8/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - Pours a clear amber with an OK head.

S - Nose is caramel and molasses. Kind of an off-ish aroma.

T - OK, there's some hops here and some oomph in the malt. husky grain, caramel and roasted bitterness. Sorely lacking in hoppy aromatics though.

M - OK body. A little heft is nice.

D - Wouldn't turn down a free one, but there are better choices out there.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 01:38:45 | More by allergictomacros

Idrankthat

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev +22%

05-06-2013 17:48:22 | More by Idrankthat

schnarr84

Alberta (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev +30.7%

03-22-2013 20:45:03 | More by schnarr84

LongRoad

Alberta (Canada)

2.25/5  rDev -21.6%

03-17-2013 01:49:05 | More by LongRoad

sumpjh

California

3.5/5  rDev +22%

03-08-2013 14:02:32 | More by sumpjh

ptarmigan98

Manitoba (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev +22%

02-11-2013 22:22:35 | More by ptarmigan98

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

2.58/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

New packaging from Big Rock, now in a tall 473 ml can. Similar style as their other new labels. Yellow background with stylized I P A - india pale ale.
"A classic ale with a golden amber colour, dry-hopped to lend a distinctive character. Spicy, warm, slightly smoky. Settles the dust on a warm prairie evening.:
Llight amber with a small white head that disappears fairly quickly.
Tried as hard as I could, but couldn't pick up hoppiness. I was expecting lots of pine, or citrus, but just the faintest grain smell.
Taste: about the same. I was expecting more, maybe not the juicy, fruity hop bitterness like some NW IPAs, but still, little or no bitternes or hop flavour in this beer.
Average body and mouthfeel, moderate carbonation.
Disappointing, as much of an IPA as Alexander Keith's IPA.

Serving type: can

12-16-2012 06:05:51 | More by BigBry

artemh

Alberta (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -12.9%

10-09-2012 16:59:37 | More by artemh

Iggy12

2.5/5  rDev -12.9%

07-30-2012 03:38:19 | More by Iggy12

ScottWestmaas

4/5  rDev +39.4%

04-18-2012 02:37:22 | More by ScottWestmaas

cletetron

British Columbia (Canada)

3/5  rDev +4.5%

03-02-2012 17:54:11 | More by cletetron

mcpwn

Alberta (Canada)

3/5  rDev +4.5%

02-09-2012 05:30:54 | More by mcpwn

Intrinsic

Quebec (Canada)

2.88/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

You can't say Big Rock didn't try, but this just doesn't work for me. The head disappeared almost immediately after pouring. Its a very flat amber colour. There's a lot of earthy tones in the smell; I can't put my finger on what it is. Slightly malty, not very bitter, has some nice spice qualities to it. The mouthfeel is very nice - the right amount of carbonation with a very dry finish. Although its not horrible, I can't possibly call this average because most IPAs are better than this (except for Alexander Keith's, the worst IPA ever).

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 00:53:37 | More by Intrinsic

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev +25.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

At 5.5%, definitely a session IPA... leaning towards an ESB. I like the Fuggles, but the hopping isn't what you'd expect.

Clear copper with an off-white head, good retention & lace. It really is a great looking brew.

Aroma of earthy mineral, figs, grainy biscuit, a bit of rind. This is echoed in the flavour, with a modest bitterness (40 IBU?).

Moderate body has a hint of residual sweetness with a dry finish.

Overall a nice brew, but a fairly modest IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2012 04:53:47 | More by Derek

schopenhauerale

British Columbia (Canada)

2.5/5  rDev -12.9%

01-19-2012 06:58:56 | More by schopenhauerale

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

2.85/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

341ml bottle poured into pint glass 16/1/12

A clear copper with a thumbs width of foam that leaves a single ring of lace

S a little herbal hops and citrus, quite malty with a bit of a purple candy smell

T tastes a bit like a brewery smells, some leafy tea bag and not whole lot of what I expect in an IPA

M light with lots of bubbles, grainy finish

O needs some hops there Big Rock, pretty average IPA at the end of the day

pretty basic stuff from a pretty basic brewery, I was told that this new IPA from Big Rock was pretty good and not the same style as an Keiths IPA, I disagree its pretty average

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 02:07:47 | More by wordemupg

ericj551

British Columbia (Canada)

2.98/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Big rock IPA pours a bright copper with little head. The aroma is malty and slightly nutty with a herbal, slighty metallic hops. The flavor is like a well balanced pale ale, with some raisiny malt and a moderate bitterness. More herbal, earthy and slightly floral hops pop up in the finish. Overall a pretty mild IPA, hopwise.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 05:36:16 | More by ericj551

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

341ml bottle poured into a 16oz pint glass.

A - Nice foamy two finger head, slightly off-white. Light copper color. The head settles to some light foam and leaves minimal lacing.

S - A surprising amount of fruity hops wafting from the glass. Tons of grapefruit, to the point where it almost smells sour. Floral, piney character and a touch of caramel malt.

T - Definitely leans towards the English style of IPAs. Lots of caramel malt throughout the flavor. Light piney hops rise up in the finish and lend a soft bitterness to the aftertaste. Not a whole lot of hop presence overall. It's alright.

M - Bubbly carbonation, body on the lighter side. Not a fan of the way the carbonation feels.

D - One of the better Big Rock beers I've had so far, but near the bottom of the totem when it comes to domestic IPAs, especially in Western Canada. I'd sooner reach for Tree's HopHead, Paddock Wood's 606, or even GIB's Brockton IPA before this. Still a good beer, but I'll pass next time.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 00:30:31 | More by Converge

2.53/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance - light amber with a smallish head that dies away fairly quickly.

Smell - If you swirl the beer vigorously and inhale deeply you can just pick up a whiff of piney hops and some caramel.

Taste - Echoes the aroma of almost nothing. I know there are hops in there, because I could smell them, but there is no bitternes or hop flavour in this beer. It is very clean, and almost lager-like. There is nothing unpleasant about it, there just isn't anything to make it particulaly memorable.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 00:00:02 | More by

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.28/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - clear golden bronze, short white head dissipated fairly quickly to a thin covering, no real lacing
S - herbal and lightly floral, biscuity and grainy, slightly spicy odour
T - mild citrus and tangy hop flavour, bready and biscuity malt, faint earthy finish
M - fairly thin and watery, decent carbonation, not much of a dry or bitter to speak of
O - decent enough in flavour and good to see Big Rock branching out with some more offerings, but generally an average IPA for a risk averse audience

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 01:27:07 | More by joemcgrath27

iSip

Colorado

2.55/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Big Rock IPA: Living in the Colorado Rockies, I guess I am spoiled by New Belgium Ranger, Great Divided Titan and the Odell IPA. On the visit to the Canadian Rockies, where the scenery is stunning, I was expecting the same from the local IPA. The Big Rock Brewery (Calgary) IPA was a bit of a disappointment. The head is thin and fades quickly. Nice copper color, but no notable aroma. Mouthfeel is good, and flavor OK. Smooth malt up front and a bit of bitter to the back. Not a bad beer, but definitely not a statement IPA. Is it even a pale ale? Someone in Calgary needs to ramp up the hoppitude and create an IPA to match the grand peaks of the Canadian Rockies.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 15:06:05 | More by iSip

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev +22%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

It is nice to see the Magpie and the IPA back in stores again but I agree with other reviewers that the craft market has evolved and Big Rock needs to step their game up if they want some respect in that consumer group. This is a weird beer because as an IPA it fails completely but as an amber ale it actually is not bad. The problem is lack of hops even for an English style IPA this is malt forward. It is very drinkable , nicely balanced and quite a full mouthfeel for a Big Rock beer but it tastes like an amber ale. No IPA but a decent beer from a brewery in need of a winner.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 17:16:36 | More by canucklehead

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

2.48/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Served in a pint glass.

A - Light to medium yellow/orange colour with a very small amount of white head.

S - The nose was very weak. I wouldn't have guessed this was an IPA had I not already known. Some grainy/bready malt notes and a mild bitterness.

T - A decent bitterness from the hops comes through along with some floral and light citrus notes. Not much contribution from the malts aside from a mild sweetness.

M - Light body with moderate carbonation.

O - This was a very weak atempt at an IPA. It wasn't terrible but I would only order this again if my other choices were all macros.

Serving type: on-tap

06-23-2011 17:53:22 | More by TheSevenDuffs

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

341ml single, a weird surprise upon my return to the embrace of Calgary liquor stores. Apparently, this is different than the new small-batch Alpha Dog IPA available around town on draft.

This beer pours a clear pale golden amber colour, with one finger of soapy off-white head, which settles reasonably quickly, leaving a decent wall of Chantilly lace around the glass.

It smells of mild caramel malt, and lightly citrusy floral hops. Hmm. So far, so expected (of the style, not the brewer). The taste is a nice even lightly bready malt, with some very mild musty citrus hops. The carbonation is moderate, if a bit zingy, the body light and tangy. It finishes with an ethereal earthy hoppiness that is hard to pin down.

I never had a chance to try the Big Rock IPA in its previous incarnation, so the release of the two new IPAs in such a short time frame is confusing, but I'll do my best. This is a somewhat decent, adequately hopped English rendition of the style, and quite easy to put back. I'd likely order this in a pub - just not over another properly put-out American version.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2011 05:40:45 | More by biboergosum

markaberrant

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - clear, croppy, frothy white head persists

S - holy crap, I can actually smell some hops in a Big Rock beer. Light citrus hops, but quickly overtaken by wet cardboard, sweet malt

T - clean crisp malt, soft malt sweetness, a hint, I mean just a hint of citrus hops, very light bitterness, some of that Big Rock metallic finish, though not as bad as most

M - ok I guess

O - ridiculously easy to drink, the flavours that are there are good, but they are so mild and disappear so quickly, that you have no choice but to take another gulp

Somewhat reminiscent of Pils Urquell in a weird sort of way (mild hoppiness, malty, yet very crisp, and a quickly disipating aftertaste). While it is a poor excuse for an IPA, I would drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2011 03:27:37 | More by markaberrant