Boatswain American I.P.A. - Minhas Craft Brewery

HeightsEats

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +47.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From Trader Joe's, a 22 oz. bomber for $1.99. Pours a darkish golden hue with aroma of hops and subtle malt. Flavor is like drinking clean, dry floral hops. Full-flavored but not overly bitter, with just enough malt to balance everything. Beeradvocate no longer has a "drinkability" rating, but 4.5 would work well for this. I had no trouble finishing the bomber--the flavors did not get tiresome or cloying. And the price can't be beat.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2012 23:26:10 | More by HeightsEats

Simlaw111

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +47.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I think the problem with this beer is naming it an IPA, being from England and growing up on traditional bitter, I really like this beer. It is nowhere near as complex and aromatic as an American IPA should be but for a pleasant quaffable beer it hits the mark. Perhaps thats why they put it in a 22 oz bottle, of course you do not want to drink it in the same volume as an English bitter as its considerably stronger than most.

Overall a good beer if you forget the IPA rating.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 20:47:27 | More by Simlaw111

OneWheelJoe

4.03/5  rDev +45.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz. bomber into a room-temperature Guinness glass. The label is red with a very rustic, simple style of writing. There's a basic description of the beer at the bottom. It promises extra hop flavor and boasts a solid 8.4% ABV.

Appearance: Nice, clear amber color with a hearty finger's off-white head. Bubble stream consistently toward the top, feeding the head again and again. This brew is crystal clear. Not typical of my more beloved IPA's.

Aroma: Hops blast the nose, making my mouth water. Pouring this brew into a glass has definitely allowed it to breathe nicely, as a whiff of the open bottle yields very little aroma.

Taste: The moment of truth. Wow. The flavor presents an unpredictably sweet front end. The aftertaste is where I find the intentional bitterness. I find few complexities to divulge, except for the slightest tinge of apple and grapefruit.

Mouthfeel: Light, almost empty. For a double American IPA, I would have expected more weight on the tongue. It is easy to rocket the beer from lips to the back of the throat without it spreading to the rest of the mouth, which is disappointing. A double IPA should invade the entire mouth without warning or apology. However, the overall feel is not unpleasant.

Overall: This is easy to drink, which can be dangerous at 8.4% ABV. If I was seeking a hard-hitting IPA, this would fall short in terms of weight and feel. Considering however, the it was only 3 bucks for a bomber, I'm not prepared to complain. I would purchase it again.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 01:43:19 | More by OneWheelJoe

omokoro

New York

3.88/5  rDev +40.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an amber color with barely any head at all. Smells of sweet malt and earthy hops. The taste is smooth, lacking a strong bitter bite. It has moderate hop flavor, a hint of citrus.

This is not bad. Not very bitter, though. Seems to me to be a malt forward IPA. I don't know why people give these TJs beers low ratings, this is better than several of the last IPAs I've reviewed lately.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 00:23:17 | More by omokoro

katan

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev +29.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22oz into a point

A - Dark orange, thick. Heavy white head formation, thick but it quickly breaks down to a film.

S - Light nose, only a hint of citrus flavors. A little bit of resinous flavors. as

T - Starts off smooth and sweet, light amounts of citrus hops and some two row malt. mid-stream gets almost balanced, with a little more earthy. Finishes lightly citrus, smooth and even a little sweet.

M - Moderate to strong body, light carbonation - comes off kinda heavy. Sugary sweet and sticky.

O/D - The bottle says DIPA, but I certainly don't believe it. But overall is a very easy drinking. ABV is managable - lightly filling.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 23:59:20 | More by katan

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev +27.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Deep amber color with a mild chill haze. Moderate head but it sticks around. Nice blanketing lace on the glass.

There is a mellow pale malt smell along with a moderate level of floral hop. Leans to the malt side for an IPA.

The bittering hop is more pronounced than the smell indicates. The beginning is brief malt, then the peppery hop takes over. The body is as expected. A predictable, middle-of-the-road IPA.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 01:10:20 | More by smcolw

LXIXME

New Mexico

3.53/5  rDev +27.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A medium sized light tan head settles into a nice lacing on a clear orangeish copper colored beer that seems to have a fair amount of carbonation.

Light sweet malts with a light orange citrus aroma.

A light almost bitter dryish citrus taste with some light sweet malts adding balance to this drink.

There is a light sweet malty dryish aftertaste on this medium bodied beer.

For the price this was a pretty good deal, decent to better taste on a relatively cheap bottle of beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 03:09:28 | More by LXIXME

chinchill

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev +26.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz brown bottle from Trader Joes.

Pours a somewhat dark (especially for an IPA) amber with a short, and short-lived tan head. Both the darker color and the aroma indicate that this is a malt heavy IPA; this is confirmed by tasting.
Initially, one gets a load of sweet caramel malt with some spiciest of the hops. The hops come to the fore, barely, thereafter, but there is no real hop hit. Even the finish and aftertaste are fairly light on hops.

O: clearly disappointing as a hop heavy Amer. iPA, but this is a pleasant and very drinkable beer that would make a good session beer. Perhaps you should have a hoppy amber in mind while you drink, and don't show the label to any hop heads that share it with you.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2012 00:28:12 | More by chinchill

CaptainIPA

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev +26.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked up by wifey at Trader Joe's. Presented in a brown 22 oz. bomber and poured into a Hennepin flute.

Pours a copper amber with a cream-colored head that quickly dissipates, though results in admirable lacing. Aromas of caramel malt and floral hops.

Opens with an assertion of sweet caramel malt and a residual blast of hop bitterness. Moves into suggestions of dry biscuit and spice. Medium bodied with a crisp mouthfeel. Minimal carbonation. Finishes dry with a lingering bitterness.

Boatswain is definitely a malt-centric IPA that doesn't seem to approach its claim of 79 IBU. I would consider it more of a hopped-up amber ale, though the balance falls short of what could have been a respectable Black IPA. Although this IPA isn't a good representation of the style, it's still flavorful and very sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 21:44:26 | More by CaptainIPA

JayQue

Virginia

3.34/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Interesting beer. As an IPA, it is very mediocre. Thin mouthfeel, weak nose, lacking in hoppy goodness. As a session type beer, labeled as an ESB instead of an IPA and considering it is $1.99 for a 22 oz bomber, this is not bad at all!!!!

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a pint glass. Clear copper color, medium size fizzy white head with spotty lacing and average retention. The aroma is just not there as an IPA. Call it something else and it is more acceptable....light grassy and floral hops and a little biscuity/bready malt.

Taste is fine (as an ESB or Amber Ale, but not an IPA). Grassy and floral hops, some bitterness but not the hop bomb that the term AIPA conjures up. Nice balance between biscuity/toasty malt and the mild bitterness.

Mouthfeel is pretty thin for an IPA, more acceptable for another style. Nice balance, somewhat crisp and refreshing.

For a $1.99 22 ouncer, Trader Joe's has done pretty well. As a lawnmower beer/summer quencher...not bad at that price. Not a particularly impressive IPA though.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 02:05:23 | More by JayQue

mtschmitz

California

3.33/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Picked up this 22oz bomber from Trader Joe's for $2. Got a few others and figured I'd give it a shot.

A) Nice copper, good clarity, decent carbonation.

S) Caramel, not much hop smell, more malt like a dogfish head IPA. Nothing spectacular.

T) During my drink I grew to like this beer. Slight hop presence, a lot less than expected from a dipa. Good malt profile. A bit too much residual sugar perhaps. Has a well-rounded taste though.

M) Good overall mouthfeel, a bit think from the residual sugars which also hang on the back of the tongue.

Overall I'd say that for $2 I'd be tempted to purchase this beer again. I'm not overly impressed but didn't expect to be either. A decent beer that needs some work; drinkable nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 21:21:31 | More by mtschmitz

TheSixthRing

California

3.33/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Pours a semi-clear burnt orange amber with an off-white, silky 2 finger head. Great retention. Resulting lace is thick and sticky.

Smell - Toasted biscuit malts backed by flowery hops with notes of citrus.

Taste - Starts with some malty sweetness; toasted bisquits. Hops are underwhelming, or rather overpowered by the malt presence. What is there is floral with a hint of citrus bitterness. Very little in the finish or aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, with a slightly syrupy malt character. Decently carbonated.

Overall - This isn't a bad beer, but as an IPA it fails. Malts take the forefront, while the hops take a supporting role, leading to good balance but not what's expected of the style. Might be better off re-classified as an APA.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 02:24:55 | More by TheSixthRing

tsauce2

Indiana

3.25/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

P: 22 fl oz bottle into a New Belgium snifter.

A: SRM is caramel. Translucent. Head is off white, 1 in, dissipates to line the top of the beer. Medium carbonation. Light lacing.

S: Moderate hoppiness, medium roast malt, a touch of caramel sweetness.

T: Moderate hoppiness. Malt is much more subtle than on the nose and a touch of caramel is noticable. Aftertaste is light hop bitterness giving way to malt and a bit of caramel.

M: Medium body. Mellow hops and light malt base give a light feel, but not watery. Dry finish.

O: A good APA. Moderate hops and malt. Nothing too fancy or bold, but a good overall beer. The best offering that I have had from the rebooted Rhinelander/Minhas operation. At the price, $1.99, I would buy more of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 04:26:24 | More by tsauce2

Cresant

Kentucky

3.23/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured this 22 oz. brown bottle into a Sierra Nevada Hops glass. No date. The label was blue not the red one shown on BA. The body was honey colored with a light tan head. A thin cap remained throughout. Some faint haziness in the body.

The smell was a bit bready, floral. Not exactly in line with a standard AIPA.

The taste was candied oranges/marmalade. A bit spicy. Some alcohol and pithy grapefruit bitterness in the aftertaste. Better than I expected from a Trader Joe's beer.

The mouthfeel was medium to full bodied. Adequate carbonation. Inexpensive and not bad.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 16:15:36 | More by Cresant

beertunes

Washington

3.23/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Hated 22oz bottle poured into 10oz goblet. Poured a dark orangeish amber color with with about 1/2 inch of light tan head that had moderate retention and lace.

The aroma was mostly malty with a subdued hop profile, mostly citrus, with some floral notes. While the flavors were mostly the same, the hops did have more of a presence.

The body was the typical medium of the style. Drinkability was OK. Overall, a decent budget beer, otherwise very average. Try it or don't.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 18:52:14 | More by beertunes

TheSarge

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Lable says American IPA, vice Double IPA. Anyhow I poured this one into a standard pint glass, and the brew makes about finger thick head of light tan color, and the body is cleanly filtered and has a dark copper color.

The aroma is mostly sweet caramel and toffee, with a slight hint of piny hops.

In the taste I'm getting the sweet caramel flavors, with a mild fig flavor. Not really hoppy but for a hint of spruce...

Feels full in body, well carbonated, dry to the palate, and a slight alcohol warmth.

I'd just call this an American Strong Ale or something. This isn't an IPA, but not a bad tasting beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 22:37:25 | More by TheSarge

Cavanaghty

Maine

3.13/5  rDev +13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Deep amber is what was described on the bottle. I saw a copper color with a slight haze and a thin off-white head.

Smell: A light smell of citrus, carmels and pine notes.

Mouthfeel/Taste: Medium bodied. Taste like pine up front with a sweet honey like aftertaste.

Overall: Nothing really special about it, it was good. Glad I tried it.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2012 21:26:52 | More by Cavanaghty

Offa

California

3.13/5  rDev +13%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This is a decent beer, hardly great and rather rough and simple, but a solid, enjoyable beer and good with food.

Pale golden copper, it has a medium off-white head steadily shrinking to thin ring.

Aroma is bread crust, hint of metal and coins, hint of citrus - orange flowers, and dusty pine.

Taste is alcoholic orange flowers, jammy with hints of bread crust, fruit candy. It's a bit sweet with only light spicy bitterness, and it's a bit rough and simple, but it's nice tasting nonetheless and is quite enjoyable with food, where it holds up well.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 00:27:30 | More by Offa

GossageBrewery

Missouri

3.08/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured this 22 oz bottle into a pint glass. This American IPA poured a clear, copper color, produced a decent off white head and featured above average head retention. There is ample amount of lacing clinging to the glass. The aroma of this AIPA consists of malted grain, and some citrus hops. Medium in body, this brew has a sweet malted flavor, some balance, and some citric hop flavor but overall it is a very average example of an IPA. Prost!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 02:08:24 | More by GossageBrewery

jeffjeff1

California

3.08/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

My wife picked this up for me the other day.

Appearance- clear copper color, decent size head, nice retention, nice lacing

Smell- malt, some citrus hops

Taste- mostly malt flavor, slight amount of hops

Mouthfeel- medium bodied

Drinkability- It was ok but there was too much malt for an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2012 02:24:36 | More by jeffjeff1

mikeg67

New Jersey

3.05/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Purchased a bomber at Trader Joe’s, labeled Boatswain American IPA. Pours amber with a fluffy, long lasting, white head and a lot of lacing. Nose is very strange: fading hops, seaweed and hints of citrus. Body is medium and too smooth for IPA. A lot of grapefruity hops balanced on the palate by caramel and biscuit malt, ripe fruit and drying alcohol. Finish is long and dry. At the end it was not a bad brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 16:27:30 | More by mikeg67

Monkeyknife

Missouri

3.05/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from the bottle a deep clear copper color with two fingers of rocky off-white head.

Aroma of caramel malts, light floral hops and soil.

Tasted of sweet caramel malts, saltine cracker, very light floral hops and a bit of medicinal bitterness in the finish.

Medium bodied and sticky with a moderate carbonation.

A bit under-hopped IMO and very average.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 21:05:16 | More by Monkeyknife

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

3.03/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22oz bottle with blue label "Boatswain American IPA" served in a standard pint glass.

L - clear copper color with a fluffy white head that left trails of lacing.

S - earthy aroma, some malt and floral hops.

T - decent amount of malt upfront with some floral/earthy notes and lingering bitterness on the finish.

F - medium bodied with mild carbonation.

O - it's ok and I'm glad it didn't cost me over $3 for the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2012 22:50:50 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

Luigi

North Carolina

2.98/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours out a hazy amber color with a off with two finger foamy head. Head retains very well as it settles down two a think blanket on top of the ale. The lacing sticks all around the glass.

The aroma is very malty with a hint of citrus hops. The malt almost reminds me of a brown ale.

The first flavor to hit the palate is the roasted nutty malt. Not overtly sweet, but soft and bread like. The hops make there entrance in the end. Vague citrus and pine hop bitters lightly lingers on the tongue, as well as a bit of booze.

I truly think this brewery should just add more hops in the mix, because there is a lack of balance in this AIPA with a claimed 79 IBU.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 17:39:42 | More by Luigi

5thOhio

South Carolina

2.95/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Call me crazy, but I like the Boatswain HLV strong ale, especially for $2.29 for a bomber, so I thought I'd give this a try.

Pours a typical IPA color, orangeish amber. Nose is odd, slight malt and another aroma I can't put my finger on. Not much there however. Also not much head and very little lacing.

Mouthfeel is decent, medium-thick with nice fizzy carbonation. Taste certainly isn't what I'd expect for a DIPA. Malt up front with a hint of boozy alcohol, hops remind me of an overripe orange. Hint of residual sweetness in the finish with lingering bitter orange.

An OK beer. I'd certainly drink one if offered. Definitely better than an Adjunct lager. But for my money, I'd buy the HLV strong ale. It's a poor man's Dragon's Milk.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 00:26:17 | More by 5thOhio