The Contender - Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at Iron Hill Lancaster, enjoyed in a standard pint.

The color is bright golden with thick cream cap of white. The carbonation is visible which indicates some refinement in the filtering department. The smell is grapefruit and pine right off with lots of floral esters adding to the juicy quality the hops provide in the aroma. The smell is fruity from the yeast slightly but mainly gives the impression of citrus. The feel is great strong bitterness and oily hop goodness combined with high carbonation to keep a nice dry body which is the way I like a west coast IPA. The bitterness level is high enough without going overboard, still highly bitter, yet enough malt to keep it from seeming sharp.

This is a tasty west coast IPA, the malt is nice with subtle sweet body to lay down the backbone for the hop punch this provides. The flavor is juicy citrus and slightly grapefruit type bitter yest it has some herbal and other elements to remind me of sweet grassy flavor, mildly vegetal from all the hops yet nicely layered with some tropical accents. This has plenty of hops to satisfy anyone who likes west coast IPA's and then some. I was not sure what to expect based on some other 'Ipa's' released here recently but this one is on the money- an all around highly drinkable and fragrant IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2012 15:10:03 | More by Slatetank

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On draft at the Lancaster location. The brew appears a polished color of pale gold. A streaming amount of carbonation rises to the surface in support of a fizzy white head. Some patches of lace stick to the glass.

The nose opens up with a bold fragrant punch of hop characteristics. Quite zesty with fruity and floral compliments with minor tropical touches of pineapple, grapefruit and dank quality. This aroma is all about the good with hints of orange and lemon across the back.

The taste is juicy with hops. Pineapple, mango, lemon, orange, herbs and grass. Some fruity and floral additions mid palate bring out new focus on the citrus aspect that is rindy and zesty with some pitted bitterness of pulp. Across the back is a minor hint if sulfur and minerals with a bit of grainy inclusion providing depth to the body. As it warms, the first indications of alcohol come forward.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest level of carbonation. It is easy drinking and a fine example of the style. The layers of depth to this brew and all the character to take in without excessive bitterness is the most noteworthy aspect of this brew. That + or - 7% alcohol is really a sweet spot for this brew. Nicely done.

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2012 14:37:39 | More by stakem