Gary Nelson IPA - Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

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

First had: on tap at Iron Hill, Media, PA

Review #1750!

The word "chain" brings with it many negative connotations in the beer world, but sometimes it just doesn't matter. Iron Hill makes consistently good beer, it can't be denied, and this surprising IPA was probably one of the best I've had from them.

Poured a clearish golden-yellow with a finger or so of frothy white head that displayed very nice retention and lacing. The combination of ingredients made this some sort of hybrid between a rye beer, a Belgian IPA, and an American IPA. Call it what you will, it worked. Hoppy aroma, driven by Nelson Sauvin, citrus and tropical fruit, some floral qualities. Taste is crisp and clean, fresh hops, citrus, pineapple, soft yeasty notes, a dash of peppery spice, solid rye malt base with just the right amount of sweetness, like a drop of honeysuckle nectar. Finished bitter and dry like a good IPA should. Medium mouthfeel, and very drinkable.

There were three other IPAs on tap when I had this beer, but none quite as good as this one. I ordered another glass without hesitation.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2012 08:48:45 | More by Rifugium

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.45/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Phenomenal single hop Ipa brewed with rye and a Belgian yeast strain. Pours clear and bright gold with a one finger white head that has excellent retention. Very nice creamy sheets of lace sticking to the glass.

Aroma of Nelson Sauvin; grapefruit, pineapple, mango; very tropical. Spicy rye note and a hint of the yeast underneath. Complex and delicious flavor packs all that vivid tropical fruit in with the sharp spice of rye and yeast. Very little malt save the faintest hint of a sweet backbone; hop flavor not muddled at all. Bitterness is pleasant but held in check enoughnotto overshadow all of this beer's subtleties.

Dry finish is complimented by a ridiculously creamy and smooth mouthfeel; medium body, moderate carbonation. To me the perfect feel for an Ipa. This is probably my favorite beer I have had at iron hill media and I believe this compares quite favorably with a hall of famer like Alpine's Nelson.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 30 East State St., Media

06-19-2012 20:08:36 | More by tobelerone