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

woemad

Washington

2.68/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

NOTE: the beer pictured here is another beer from the same line of beers brewed by Midhas for Trader Joe's.

22oz bomber purchased at Trader Joe’s in Spokane. I forget what I paid for it but it wasn’t much. No freshness date on the label, which, incidentally, includes the o.g. (15.46) and the amount of IBUs (79) and lists the beer’s color as “brown.” A brown IPA?! FWIW, the label states this beer was brewed by Rhinelander Brewing Co., but I suspect that's a shell name for Minhas.

Despite it’s supposed brownness, this beer pours a slightly hazy, copper-amber color with a big, fluffy white head.

Surprisingly grassy-ish hop scent to this beer. As it warms up a little, some bready malts can be smelled as well. I’m guessing this is not going to be much of an IPA.

…And my guess would be right. Now, it’s not exactly bad tasting, but I have no idea how someone could taste this beer and label it an IPA. There’s a grassy hop flavor that is initially at the fore, but it is almost instantly matched by a flavor that is not unlike…cloves(?!). There's an earthy grain taste in the background. The hop character remains grassy and herbal throughout, with a very tiny bit of a dry hop zap at the swallow. Very, very weird.

Strange beer, with a strange mouthfeel. Almost light bodied, with a mouthfeel like a hefe.

Could this be an attempt at an English IPA? More likely, a crummy attempt at a contract-brewed beer, brewed by people who don’t brew IPAs for people who don’t know what they taste like. Drinkable, but why bother?

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 00:22:15 | More by woemad

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

EgadBananas

Louisiana

2.43/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Oh, no, Minhas!! :/

This looks nice. A clear coppery color with a tanish head. Nice lace.

Malty aroma. Too malty. Caramel, sweetness, corn? No real hop notes.

Slight bitterness, corn-like sweetness, caramel and maltiness.

Creaminess, and medium in body.

No dating, so unsure of freshness, but this is not good. This is better than the swill that Minhas produces, but craft wise, this is poor.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 01:47:59 | More by EgadBananas

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

TriggerFingers

New Jersey

2.75/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

First, the bottled currently pictured is for Minhas' DIPA, not IPA.

Tasted their IPA for the first time the other day in my attempts to find a good one in a bomber for $2. I will have to keep looking.

Color was darker than most IPAs.

Some Citrus and Pine in the nose, but very faint.

Taste is where this really takes a hit. Minhas probably just used a truckload of hops like chinook that tend to give a "harsher" bitterness when used in excessive proportions and combined it with adjuncts to raise the ABV.

So you get a harsh + boozy quality with minimal malty backbone. You could probably pick any other IPA in the aisle, do a side by side, and like the other one more.

I guess I just don't "get" their philosophy or recipes they use for making their IPA and DIPA. The only thing I can gather is that they are truly trying to save $$$ by using a minimal amount of hops, good barley + grains, while boosting adjuncts like rice or sugar to raise the alcohol.

Is it lacking? yes

Disjointed? uh huh

Bottom Line: For an IPA, this is toward the back of the pack for the style. Most decently executed "kit beer" comes out better than this.

Its a generous C-

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2012 13:33:47 | More by TriggerFingers

HalfFull

California

2.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass, this self proclaimed 'mix of an East Coast and West Coast IPA'(at least on the Trader Joe's signage), pours a golden caramel in color and offers a half inch of just off white foam. Offers good clarity and retention.

Aroma of light earthy hops with a firm caramel backbone. Bit of citrus with warming. Not bad but rather light in delivery.

Flavor is somewhat sweet with some caramel and toffee. Feel is slick and thinly carbonated even as the cap sits atop the pour. Bitterness on the finish is rather lacking and offers just a bit of spice initially, firming up a bit with warming.

Overall a bit of an odd one but surely not a bad beer at all. Still the lack of bitterness limits the drinkability. Hop aromas are more robust with warming but being a bit sweet and oily on the finish keeping the kudos at bay.

Note: The photo above is indeed incorrect as this is clearly named 'Boatswain American IPA' with a white on dark blue label.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 02:44:15 | More by HalfFull

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

scaliasux

Wisconsin

2.55/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Appearance - Amber. A little cloudy. Head is just off-white, foamy, and persistent.

Smell - Medium roasted malts. Only moderately strong piney hops.

Taste - Somewhat sweet medium roast malt. Hops prominent, but not nearly as strong as many in the category. Piney. Lingering sweetness.

Mouthfeel - Medium-light. Well carbonated.

Overall - Not being a hophead, the relative mildness of the hops in the beer isn't a big problem for me. Like some of Minhas other beers, though, this suffers from excessive sweetness - sweetness that lingers past the hoppiness. Not bad, but I wouldn't seek this out.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 03:53:15 | More by scaliasux

ESPNman

California

2.33/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

Purchased at Trader Joe's (for a couple of bucks), served in a standard pint glass.

A - Orange, bordering on copper, with a thin white head that stuck around for a bit. Some lacing.

S - Corn, sugar, and that's about it. Nothing that sould make me think that this is anything other than a malt liquor. Zero hops.

T - Much like the smell, it reminded me more of Steel Reserve than Sierra Nevada's Torpedo. Thick corn and syrup malts cut by the faintest hint of floral hops. An IPA this is not.

M - Not bad, actually. Decent carbonation with a just-right thickness for the style. Definitely the highlight for this beer.

O - Do not recommend. It's pretty awful, and not a true IPA. Do yourself a favor and keep moving if you see this on the shelf, there are better representations of this style out there.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 00:00:23 | More by ESPNman

BuzzLitebier

Maryland

2.38/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

OK, I'm not going to disparage this beer. Suffice it to say that my expectations were low for it, and they weren't met. It poured nicely with a decent head and a dark copper color. However, the nose wasn't there. Even though it was carbonated nicely, the taste was yeasty and unsatisfying. Would I buy it again? I'm sorry to say NO.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 23:21:11 | More by BuzzLitebier

HippyJonny

2.03/5  rDev -26.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

There is some confusion going on here. Two beers are being reviewed on the same page. The "Extra IPA" and the "American IPA" are different beers sold in different markets. Some stores got one and other stores received the other. The photo on the page is the "Extra," while the stats are for the "American."

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 21:39:19 | More by HippyJonny

EricMango

2.15/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Only OK.

Doesn't taste like a typical IPA.

Smell is slightly skunky

initial taste is ok but the after taste is disappointingly flat.

Carbonation is good but doesn't make up for the lack of flavor.

Would not recommend this beer to an IPA lover

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 06:59:32 | More by EricMango

Kromes

Georgia

2.8/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

A: A hazy copper color with a thick off-white head that laces the glass.

S: Strong caramel malt aroma and a slight grassy hop.

T: The beer is toasted malt and a little bit of what tastes like corn sugar. The hop is mostly grassy with a little bit of skunk. Not very typical of an IPA.

M: For an IPA, it is a little bit thin and watered down.

O: Overall, I have to rate it in it's category. It would have made a decent Amber ale, but in this category it is not good. If you are looking for an IPA, I wouldn't recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2012 23:33:15 | More by Kromes

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

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

daliandragon

North Carolina

2.7/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Another beer from Trader Joe's in a different label and bottle but it seems like the same old song: well priced but mediocre. I hope this is an exception, of which there are a few (Stockyard Stout comes to mind) but I probably shouldn't get my hopes up.

Color is correct, with a healthy bronze glaze and solid head and lacing. The nose is not quite on point however. i get no hops but instead a heavy dose of medium malts dense with alcohol and burnt brown sugar.

The flavor is similar. No hops to speak of but plenty of alcohol and burnt sugar. You definitely taste every drop of that 6.7%. There is some oily bitterness up front and the texture isn't bad but could could stand some thickening. This is a half decent American strong or double brown but what is IPA about this beer?

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2012 01:48:51 | More by daliandragon

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

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

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

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

samie85

Illinois

2.35/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Pours a clear reddish amber color with a two finger white head into my Duvel tulip.

Smells of piney and orange hops with light hints of caramel and burnt sugar.

Tastes of sweet caramel malt with bitter note and slightly alcoholic finish.

Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation and a drying feel with an alcohol warmth.

This, like the Heavy Lift Vessel from Minhas is alcoholic and disappointing in its flavor profile. It has the bitterness of an IPA without the pleasing hop notes that typically go with an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 01:40:23 | More by samie85

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

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

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

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

1.75/5  rDev -36.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

22 ounce bottle - $2.29 at Trader Joe's in Roswell, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a clear, polished copper body with a two finger-high, off-white head.

Smell: Bready malts, some odd umami hints, but also a cutting sniff of alcohol, leaving me worried for a repeat Boatswain beer experience. Some beers would already be getting two thumbs up at this point, this one's just getting the double eye roll. Ugh.

Taste: The bready, simple, lightly sweet malts underneath are ruthlessly beaten back immediately with a revolting ethanol punch to the tongue. Unpleasantly astringent. This line would be better served in tall, paper bag-wrapped cans and sold at gas stations.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Overall: I tried the Trader Joe's HLV yesterday. Really did not like it, finding it a poor value at even Trader Joe's prices. This was equally as embarrassing and fairly undrinkable. Avoid!

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 18:59:12 | More by ChainGangGuy