400 Pound Monkey - Left Hand Brewing Company

bdeck02

Texas

5/5  rDev +40.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

In my hand now on a warm evening on the patio at The Old Monk in east Dallas. Sun is setting and beating on my back. This one happens to be offered up as a cask conditioned special on the menu. I love Left Hand, so I couldn't pass this up. Definitely love to see something possibly different than your one in a million IPA in that this is strictly an English style IPA. Served in DFH tulip glass.

A - Hazy, sunset bronze. Translucent when help up to the setting sun. One large finger of dense vanilla milk shake looking head that may be disappearing at a turtle's pace.

S - Like I stuck my head in a fresh bag of the freshest semi-wet herbal hops and sweet yellow cake batter... in that order. LUSH! Anyone who's ever held fresh, whole cone hops to their face would appreciate this one.

T - Like no other IPA. It separates itself from the ubiquitous bunch. It's as though they carefully thought out and crafted every single IBU as though it were a brush stroke creating an artistic masterpiece in my mouth. The many colors of hop and malt brush strokes are thrilling! Even better as it warms closer to 50-55F. The 6.7% ABV is only noticed upon exhaling through the nostrils in a way that is subtle, exciting and whimsical. One the malt side of things, the Munich make their presence known and loved. Each malt can be detected in this one, which is not all that easy to do when crafting an IPA when the hops traditionally dominate. Base level sweetness is there from the Crystal and 2-row. The body is brought on by the wheat malt. Perfect malt profile.

M - LUSH! Slightly snappy dry at the finish, however.

Overall - You had better go to your local craft beer store or pub and snag this up before I do. If they don't have it, perform unmentionable favors for your local beer store guy in order to get some. Not sure what's so particularly English about this one other than the use of the Boadicea Hops which are relatively unknown other than they are named for a Celtic/England warrior queen. Similar to Czech Saaz in profile from what I can discern. Anywho, rockin' brew, y'all!

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2011 14:51:33 | More by bdeck02

smashvilletom

4.49/5  rDev +25.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

I ordered a sawtooth ale and the clueless waitress brought this out. I wasn't too disappointed since left hand brewery is one of my favorites.

very earthy and strong citrus flavor. powerful hop presence. bitter bready aftertaste. very bold mouthfeel. Top 3 personal IPA's.



ABV: 6.8% not 6.7%

another great beer from lefthand.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 03:51:05 | More by smashvilletom

Dave1999

Virginia

4.48/5  rDev +25.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a hazy amber with a small white head.

The smell was citrus hops, lemons, oranges and grapefruit with some sweet malts.

The taste was much like the smell citrus hops, bitter but with a fairly hefty malt back bone.

It was low to medium bodied, smooth with fairly low carbonation.

Overall an excellent beer definitely worth revisiting.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 13:06:23 | More by Dave1999

btorsdog

Ohio

4.47/5  rDev +25.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is a monkey that I don't mind having on my back at all! A nicely refreshing brew with a well rounded malt backbone an a subtle yet firm hops punch. Glad I was able to find this one and hope I'm able to get some more(bought the last two 6 packs!)
Looks very dingy but in a good way
Lots of stuff happening in the smell dept. lots of grains
taste is beautiful well balanced
Feel somewhat crisp on the tounge-Cool!
goes down super easy atruly nice beer!

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2010 00:32:54 | More by btorsdog

KeefD

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bright golden color with a 1/2 inch white head that fell relatively quickly, but there was some nice rings of lacing left down the Sam Adams perfect pint. Herbal, grassy, and orange hop aromas jump out first, followed by a semi-sweet cracker, toasty bread maltiness. Nice balance in the nose, and if this is any indication of the taste, I'll be pleasantly surprised. Yep, great balance here. I'm really digging the lightly toasted cracker, biscuit-like maltiness of this brew which is in perfect harmony with the lightly bitter, herbal hops, that have just a touch of citrus on the back end, namely some orange marmalade-like juiciness. Drys out on the finish, with a decent, bitter aftertaste. Body is crisp with the perfect amount of carbonation. This is a tasty beer, and I really do love the balance. I really wish I could find an English bitter or mild pale with this kind of flavor on a regular basis. If this thing weighed in at 5% ABV or less, it would be one of the best session brews around. But I'm really digging it the way it is. Not sure why the scores are so low on this one. I think it's a very well-made English IPA, and a much needed break from the often over-the-top AIPAs.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2010 21:08:04 | More by KeefD

Spineypanda

Texas

4.38/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a golden amber color, with a short-lived head that laces nicely. Carbonation continues some time after pour.
Smells nice and bitter, like it should. Not full of citrus aromas, but more malty smells as well as the hops.
Tastes really nice, a bit of that malty smell comes through in the taste, but the hops are front forward and the aftertaste is nice and refreshing.

I really enjoy this beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2010 01:57:34 | More by Spineypanda

parris

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I need to start this with saying I've got a cold, so I bumped up the smell .5 to account for my lack of sense.

It was poured into a pint glass near a brightly lit background. The vibrant golden color is near perfect, but the over carbonation produced a little too much head, about 2 inches.

I wish I had a better sense of smell, I'm sure this IPA has a great hopped up aroma. I got a bit of that, but a metallic smell is what was most noticeable. After a few sips I'm starting to notice a bit of earthy hop aroma.

The taste is a bit mild, but it has a delicious big body taste without the mouthfeel and finishes with just a little hop bitterness creeping back up your tongue.

It has a light mouthfeel, and doesn't weigh down your stomach, so it's has high drinkability.

If I could change this beer, I'd make it bigger, but maybe it's just the day.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2010 20:30:10 | More by parris

Errto

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a lovely pale orange color, perfectly clear with a good finger or two of head. Smell is not strong, but a pleasant mix of bready malt and citrusy hops. The citrus is more pronounced in the flavor, more lemon than grapefruit unlike some other IPAs. It's almost got a bit of twang to it in the finish. As it warms the bready malt flavor that I love in English ales comes through over the hops.

The balance seems perfect, and I could easily see this being a go-to beer for me if I didn't have to drive out of state to get it. Fortunately I have five bottles left.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2010 02:44:24 | More by Errto

Reaper16

Alabama

4.35/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz. bottle, dated 04/15/10, served into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass. Thanks for the extra, FernMaster.

Pours a, well, it is yellow. Around the color of a lighter maibock. The white head only gets to one finger at the most. Lacing is, thankfully, more then adequate.

Clean, floral hops flood the nose. A kiss of peach and an accent of lemongrass make for a more assertive nose than I would have figured from an English IPA. Cracker malt is substantial enough to provide a balanced foil to the hops.

The hops are less assertive on the palate than they were in the nose but that is OK - this is an English IPA after all. Grassy, floral, honeysuckle flavors emerge from these Kent Goldings. With warmth the hops take on more of a tea leaf taste. The malt flavors are creamy and bready. The finish is pleasantly bitter before fading to a lasting malt flavor.

This beer is perhaps not carbonated enough; it is a bit too slick for my tastes. The body itself is lightly creamy, which works with the malt flavors. As far as drinkability goes, this is an imminently drinkable session choice for a summer day spent outdoors.

I wasn't blown away by 400-Pound Monkey by any means, but I rate to style and I consider this one of the best English IPAs I've ever had. This is a wonderful choice for when you want the lightness and refreshment of a pilsner but would also prefer the malt flavors of an English ale.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2010 00:27:08 | More by Reaper16

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.35/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazy yellow/orange in color, big fluffy two finger head. Looks a bit more like a hefeweizen.

The smell is slightly crisp, with a solid, up-front malty aroma, with hints of citrus. Since this is an EIPA, I would imagine this to be a tad more malty than a typical IPA. Still very good.

The taste was shocking, much different than the smell. It's sort of zesty, with a lot of citrus, and a slight hop bitterness that shows up in the end and lingers for a few seconds. Very impressed, it was delicious.

The feel is pleasant and crisp. Light to medium bodied.

Definitely a good drinker, but I probably couldn't session it very well. I'll be revisiting this one often.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2010 00:10:25 | More by EgadBananas

shand

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a nonic - on the very end of what I consider acceptable freshness for an IPA like this (bottled late October).

Pours a very clear golden colour with a tiny head that leaves some decent lacing. The smell is primarily refreshing citrus (lemon/grapefruit) and some smooth hops and malts. The taste is very good! It first goes down fruity and hoppy, then a bit of the citrus character come in followed by smooth malts. There's some nice bitterness and complexity to this one here that makes sipping (glugging) it a pleasure.

It has a lighter body that leaves the mouth finely coated, and the drinkability is also very good. A nice brew from Left Hand, a unique IPA that's definitely sixer-worthy if you're looking for something different and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 04:59:48 | More by shand

tapman

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A modest 1/2 finger, off-white head after an aggressive pour, the light golden honey color is lighter than many IPAs I've seen lately. Yet I've been disapointed by many malty IPAs so this one may be on the right track.

Fruity, skunky, and a little musty. I read someone likened it to tangerines. I hate reading other people's reviews before I do mine for fear that I gt their idea stuck in my head, but damn if I don't get fresh, raw tangerine zest. Much more ineresting to me thanthe avrage English IPA.

Big, beefy hop flavor. A lot of raw, vegetal and grassy tones here so I assume loads of dry-hopping. Malt is light and a little sweet and really supports the earthy hops. I knew that you could load up an IPA with hops that weren't from the big 'C' family and this one proves it!

Carbonation bite with a slightly chwy texture Decently dextinous. Pretty cbonated for any English style ale.

I like this brew. Most of the English IPAs that I get(at least three from Arcadia) have been, to me, lacking in hop flavor. When I see IPA I don't think PALE. Are there any bright hops in this one r is it all noble or european subtle-like hops? American or imported. I like how this one is lighter in body and texture closer to the LAgunitas IPA. Low alcohol makes it a good sessioner. Very complex and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2010 02:38:27 | More by tapman

spitInTheOcean

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

crystal clear beer with a nice copper color. nice head retention. low effervescence. fair lacing.

smells hoppy. citrus/grassy hops, and that about all.

initially sweet. nice round body, big hoppy flavor, nice hoppy bitterness. and the finish is all hop bitterness that lingers.

medium body, and the warmth of the alcohol can be felt.

this is a good ass ipa. i could not see myself ever getting bored with this one.

the website does not give the IBUs, i would put them somewhere in the mid 60s. the website also lists wheat on the grain bill. brilliant. Why didn't i think of that?

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 03:18:33 | More by spitInTheOcean

Mcculler

Ohio

4.3/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a golden color with amber highlights - paler than most IPAs these days - with good 1 inch head that recedes to the rim leaving only minimal lacing.

Lemon, pine, earth, sulfur, mineral, and butter on the nose - interesting mix of American and British characteristics.

Similar taste x 10. Chamomile, heather, lemon balm, pine, earth, sulfur and mineral. Caramel sweetness more apparent as the beer warms. Grapefruit and herbal bitterness in the finish.

Slick, pretty mouthfeel - a little oily, nicely balanced by tight, moderate carbonation.

A beautiful, thoughtful beer - and also drinkable for ABV. Love it.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2010 02:43:43 | More by Mcculler

baos

Indiana

4.3/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into mug.

A: 2 fingers of white head atop orange-lemon yellow body. Head retention is pretty good. Head dwindles down to a nice sheen. Good lacing.

S: Honeycomb piney floral aroma. Nice hoppiness.

T: Magnum, Boadicea and Sovereign hops dominate. It reminds me a bit of a Stone brew with its honeycomb floral hoppiness. I like it that it isn't bitter. I like all the floral and sweet notes of the hops.

M: Kind of thin, but this lends to a nice refreshing finish on this warm fall day.

O: Good

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2011 20:11:56 | More by baos

hoplover82

Texas

4.28/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a clear deep golden color with a large off white head that has very good retention and very sticky lacing. What a looker. Not to mention the bottle lable... it's very cool to look at when drinking this beer.

The smells of sweet bread doughy malts play with some spicy/earthy hops in the backdrop. (I want to mention that when the beer is almost finished, and it's warm, the hops turn to this sweet lime citrus that I've never had before. It was very very good when the beer really warmed up. Same with the flavor)

I also taste the same sweet bready doughiness mixed well with the spicy/earthy hops that turned citrusy as it warmed. But with an added noticable and clean hoppy bitterness. Very nice and balanced. The more I have of this beer, the more I love it.

Has a big medium body. Very smooth and balanced carbonation. Has a soft bittersweet finish.

This beer is very very drinkable. I highly suggest this to any beer lover.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2010 18:07:04 | More by hoplover82

dfillius

Michigan

4.28/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a pint glass
A: Aggressive pour yields 1/2 finger of white head with good retention. Clear golden/bronze liquid. Good looking.

S: Modest crisp herbal citrus of noble hops. Small bit of maltiness. More aroma overall would be nice.

T: Clean malt center with bitter hoppiness around the edges, but without much hop flavor. Pretty god. Not bold. Some lemony citrus hop at the end.

M: Very bitter! Round, full.

D: Very drinkable. I'd order another and buy six. Balanced enough to be a session beer, Hooray!

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 20:26:45 | More by dfillius

GabrielM

New Mexico

4.28/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint glass.

A - nice golden amber color but with less head than I expected/hoped for.

S - hops, some sweet malt, apple, allspice and some pine.

T - same as the nose, but with less hops and a bit more sweetness than expected, which is very pleasant. This beer/style would be a great segway into standard IPAs and DIPAs.

M - great carbonation, very well balanced and flavorful body.

D - definitely a beer I could have more than a few of. Rather enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 23:34:16 | More by GabrielM

ProfessorHomer

New York

4.25/5  rDev +19%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Bright, clear golden blondie color - a very pretty American style! Good head, average retention. Good lacing.

S: Some interesting, delicate floral hoppy notes (like an IPA, but more subtle), alcohol, some malt.

T: Wow - was I surprised! Starts out hoppy like an IPA, slides nicely into delicate caramelly malts, an alcohol tinge and nice, long, balanced mellow & wet lingertaste. Complex series of events going on here! Nice water.

MF: Clean, crisp, creamy & refreshing.

Overall: This sure ain't no English IPA (and I sure do love those English Pale Ales) - this is its blondie sexy, full-bodied, full-flavored floozy American (hoppier) version that unabashedly flaunts full-frontal strong alcohol with your overwhelmed tastebuds. Had me at first sip! I sure ain't no hophead but I sure so recognize a very, very good beer. I wuz taken with this one! Very Recommended!

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2011 23:44:08 | More by ProfessorHomer

rangerred

Tennessee

4.23/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

Appearance is a clear medium gold with a half finger head. Leaves moderate lacing on the glass.

Smells is moderately bready with some light grassy hops. Some light caramel and husky grain is also detectable.

Taste, once warmed up to around 55 degrees, is quite bready and grainy with some light caramel. Some grassy hops can also be tasted before an assertive bitterness comes in and wipes it all away. This leads to a very dry finish with only a light coating left on the tongue.

At first I was quite turned off by this beer because straight out of the fridge, all you get is harsh bitterness with no malt flavor. Let it warm up some, however, and you will be rewarded with a delicious malty and hoppy treat unlike a lot of IPA's on the market.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 23:21:25 | More by rangerred

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap at the Brick Store Pub. Poured a dark golden with a decent head that left some scant lacing and faded to a thin cap. Smells quite piney and with some firm malt. Rich and balanced. The taste is similar. I won't say this is blow-you-away hoppy, even though with a name like 400 lb monkey you might expect it to be. What it is is very well balanced, with more firm malt in the backbone and lots of piney and citrusy hops. Deftly done. A bit full in the mouth, this is even a bit chewy and a fair pleasure to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2009 02:06:56 | More by Georgiabeer

hosehead83

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass
Clear golden in color, with a modest head of white foam
Aroma-Subtle citrus and earthy hop notes
Taste-Citrus rind and earthy hop(Fuggle?), some mineral notes as well. Sweet malt, toffee, and orange peel emerge as it warms.
Overall, a fine offering, very much in the English style-Subdued, subtle flavors nicely balanced and full of character, nothing over-the-top, just a pleasant, drinkable brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2010 13:20:47 | More by hosehead83

TheJollyHop

California

4.22/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a crystal clear, deep orange amber, with scents of caramel, perfume, yellow roses, wet grass, bread, and tropical fruits.

Head exhibits a thick finger's worth of pillowy mousse like texture; clingy lace.

Flavor showcases orange, peach, bread, caramel, grassy notes, subtle nuttiness, with a sweet finish. There is a long lasting tingle of bitterness. This brew is very well balanced. A medium to high carbonation with a prominent fruity and floral flavor, and a faint lime flavor on the finish. Earthy hop flavor, reminiscent of sauteed spinach and kale.

Medium body, smooth on the tongue front to back, with some tongue drying. Crisp, green grapes mingle with wet grass.
Great example of an English IPA. Would make a stellar session brew if the ABV was slightly lower.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2010 04:50:10 | More by TheJollyHop

otersen73

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Sam Adams Boston Lager glass. Thin creamy white head that bailed quickly. Nice Belgian lace throughout the critique.

Very light in color for an IPA...light copper in appearance.

Fruity esters come through in the aroma with some floral and nutty notes hidden underneath.

Very smooth for an IPA and alcohol is well hidden. Malt is rather subdued on the front and hops dominate through the middle. Finishes with a long, dry, hoppy, nutty, character...leaves you craving more.

Very well carbonated and soft on the palate.

Would drink six in a row that's for sure...only bought one so I'm screwed.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2010 20:39:46 | More by otersen73

maleman

Mississippi

4.22/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Birthdate noted on bottle. Poured a nice clear amber with creamy two-finger head that had great retention. Thick, clingy lacing evident.

S - hoppy, as expected. Some caramel, some pepper peeking through.

T - very resiny right up front. The pepper is there in the afterbite.

M - medium-bodied, nice. The afterbite is just that...a bite. But, I don't have a problem with it because IMO it contributes to the great taste. Better than average carbonation.

D - was recommended by a co-worker and now I owe him one. English IPA's tend to be my fave and this one certainly doesn't disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2010 00:15:07 | More by maleman