Cascazilla - Ithaca Beer Company

jampics2

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap @ the Winking Lizard. Served in a pint glass for around $5.

The first time I had this beer was right before Ithaca came to Ohio. My friend helped put together the deal, so he came to a Browns game with a cooler full of Ithaca beers that the brewmaster had sent him a few days earlier. Cascazilla was one of those beers, and it was an experience. I've found, however, since that day that this beer can suck if it's too old. As in more than a month or so. And I've been searching to review only a fresh glass full. Finally, I have one that rivals that first encounter back in the day.

The beer looks nice in the glass. It's an orange-brown with red notes and an off-white, billowing head that leaves surprisingly little lace.

The smell is where this starts heating up. There's some crystal, sweet caramel and huge toasted malt notes that are literally smothered in hops. Grapefruit and orange impressions follow, pure cascade candy.

The taste is pure fire-breathing awesomeness. The malt base is sublime, with just enough sweetness, toast and breadiness to support the hop rampage. And that rampage happens on cue, with huge pine and grapefruit flavors exploding from every angle as the utility lines go down. People scream, but the onslaught of bitterness never rages out of control. Instead, things are kept grounded and the hops never get out of control.

The mouthfeel is a touch on the sticky side, but the medium body has enouygh carbonation from being slick to a flaw. Overall, this is a very enjoyable brew when it's this green. Fear not, beer drinking people. This monster won't be toppling over buildings in your city any time soon. It's not that fierce. But it is a great cross-over take on a hoppy American Red ale and one I'll be seen swigging any time it's fresh.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2011 14:12:04 | More by jampics2

Gatch

Massachusetts

3.94/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: Nice amber hue with an off white, fluffy, soapy head. Plenty of lace and great retention.

S: The nose is mostly sweet malt but there's a nice hop presence. Not enough to be considered a "Red IPA," though.

T: Pretty balanced between hops and malt. Not as Cascade heavy as the name implies but it is a Red so there should be plenty of malt and the hop profile is unique.

M: Smooth and sweet with lots of flavor. Barely enough of a hop presence to live up to its name.

O: Solid Red IPA that had all the qualities you look for but nothing exceptional. And not enough hops to be considered a true "Red IPA."

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 00:35:41 | More by Gatch

LarryMyers

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.4%

05-24-2013 00:27:08 | More by LarryMyers

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

05-23-2013 02:14:23 | More by mikeincharleston

NJB145

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +9.8%

05-20-2013 00:37:16 | More by NJB145

BColton1

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +3.4%

05-19-2013 21:03:46 | More by BColton1

Noonan425

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

05-19-2013 02:45:41 | More by Noonan425

cbord459

New York

3/5  rDev -22.5%

05-17-2013 17:23:38 | More by cbord459

InspectorBob

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

05-17-2013 12:21:30 | More by InspectorBob

CoreyClark

New York

4/5  rDev +3.4%

05-15-2013 17:26:14 | More by CoreyClark

earlholman

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev +3.4%

05-14-2013 13:27:50 | More by earlholman

Bill235

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

05-13-2013 11:17:39 | More by Bill235

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

05-12-2013 21:09:58 | More by twenty5

ShanShantheRocket

New York

4.5/5  rDev +16.3%

05-12-2013 20:34:42 | More by ShanShantheRocket

Burkbom23

Connecticut

3.64/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Looks like iced tea with a head on it. Opaque brown with almost no light coming through. Looked like there was some sediment at the end of the pour. Thin tan head recedes pretty quickly. Some lacing. Hops and hay in the nose. Piney. Some nuttiness on the palette, very malty for an IPA. Pretty bitter. Medium to heavy mouthfeel, fairly creamy. Pretty enjoyable but not mind blowing. Reminded me a lot of a home brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 22:57:15 | More by Burkbom23

rdooley

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -16%

05-02-2013 01:12:46 | More by rdooley

Chinaskifan1

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +3.4%

05-01-2013 01:57:37 | More by Chinaskifan1

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

04-30-2013 21:10:18 | More by Jason1337

Mark5252

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

04-26-2013 00:46:17 | More by Mark5252

Bones10

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

04-24-2013 16:10:09 | More by Bones10

randylangford

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

04-24-2013 02:49:53 | More by randylangford

hoppymcgee

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

04-23-2013 01:49:42 | More by hoppymcgee

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

04-22-2013 20:53:52 | More by Kelp

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Humungous 22oz pour. Deep garnet in color. Sports a coarsely hung off-white head of an inch. Laying slathered on-top for awhile.

Forward notes of pine and tangy grapefruit. Ruggedly toasted in the malt backbone. Earthy and bitter aromas. Perhaps some bitter orange and a hint of cooked rhubarb.

Dry profile with earthy hops with tea and pine notes. Unripe citrus without the sour. Pithy and savory. Notes of bitter greens and mollusk shell. Sounds strange, but it's like an oyster IPA... or maybe I'm nuts. Latent bitterness, but not spicy. Alcohol under veil here. Definitely not that hoppy. Earthy notes accentuate that balancing malt toastiness. Carbonation is a medium-plus. Viscosity is a little weak. Not a whole lotta body.

Doesn't hold a candle to Flower Power. Needs some more fruitiness, but the umami notes are delightful.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2013 04:10:50 | More by thecheapies

brewsadedotcom

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

04-20-2013 23:52:58 | More by brewsadedotcom