Flower Power India Pale Ale - Ithaca Beer Company

mlazzaro

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served in a snifter. only lightly chilled in a refrigerator. 12 oz bottle.

Orange copper color. Creamy white head, great retention. Head rings lacing the glass on every sip.

Immediately smells of hop flowers, citrous notes and a pungent grapefruit aroma upon opening the bottle.

Balanced and very flavorful at the same time. Sweetness is spot on. Bitterness is powerful but not scorching. Very pleasant and satisfying mouthfeel. ABV was surprising, but suiting. Great beer.

I didn't think that a single American IPA could receive such a score. Way better than I expected.

"You can drink this stuff flat and warm and it is still delicious." says my buddy Joe.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2010 21:41:15 | More by mlazzaro

MA08

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served in a standard pint glass at Pour Judgement in Newport, RI.

Pours a bright orange hazy color with a thick creamy white head, with retention throughout. Immediate pungent smells of hop flowers and grapefruit. Taste is very hoppy without being extremely bitter in the aftertaste. Extremely drinkable with the right balance for a Western-Style American IPA. Easily the best "below the radar" American IPA out there.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2010 14:45:11 | More by MA08

prg1976

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a nice clear amber color with a decent amount of off-white head. Dissipates quickly, leaving a nice thin layer on top.

Smell is sweet floral citrus. Orange peel. Awesome

Tastes a nicely bitter, citrusy, sweet. The bitterness hangs around a bit, but it's not overpowering.

Mouthfeel is nice and light. The bitterness is there, but it should be IMO. Drinkability is good, there's a nice mid range abv so you could have a couple.

This is an awesome beer. A great west-coast style IPA from an east-coast brewery. Bravo, Ithaca!

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 02:15:23 | More by prg1976

Risser09

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12 oz bottle poured into a white wine glass - fridge temp - 2011 bottling

Appearance: Golden orange color beer. 3" tall off-white head that has great retention. Very pillowy head that lasts and lasts. Ecellent lacing.

Smell: Nice, bright, floral aromas of honeysuckle, rose, grapefruit, and some pine needles. A touch of malt sweetness. Excellent.

Taste: This could be a perfect IPA taste. Here's why: The beer is 7.5% alcohol and you can taste just enough of it. The hop flavors are citrusy & floral with notes of pine in the background. I get lots of grapefruit, some light melon, honeysuckle and just an overall HOP flavor. The brewers nailed this beer.

Mouthfeel: Again, perfect alcohol feel, light and airy in the mouth. Smooth drinking with an acceptable amount of bitterness. Malts are in check to balance everything out.

Drinkability: This is a perfect American IPA that I would love to duplicate in my own brewing efforts. Good for those up in New York who have quick access to this cheap, refined, archetypal offering.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2011 21:14:10 | More by Risser09

josefnewsong

New York

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Just what an IPA should be...the epitome of freshness...was able to have this at several intervals this summer, my favorite was 3 months from the bottling date. Also had a side by side tasting with Two Hearted just to make sure this beer was really as good as I thought it was. It is. Floral, and I mean super floral, hop flavors EVERYWHERE...and the citrus is there as well, mouthfeel is full but not sticky or overly resinous, just refreshing as hell with a perfect amount of carbonation. Hazy bright orange color with beautiful white head. Malts provide the backbone and not too much else while so many colors of hop flavor explode on you at different times. Can't say enough about it.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 04:24:02 | More by josefnewsong

HopHeadRyan

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is the best IPA...EVER!!!...

I've had this on tap and out of bottles many times...this particular poured from a bottle to a typical shaker american pint glass...

I've had all of the heavy hitters...Two Hearted, Union Jack, Big Eye, Sculpin, Blind Pig, Pliny, etc etc...and there are many exceptional IPAs from my local PA brewers as well. I give applause to all of these...but my favorite is Flower Power...

I had the pleasure of visiting the brewery a few years ago and had a wonderful experience touring and tasting...it was great...excellent brewery...excellent beers...

Flower Power is an amazing example of the American IPA...scrumptious aromas, great flavors, nice strong abv and an aftertaste that doesn't turn you away...its a very balanced, extremely hoppy, and nicely strong example of the style...

A - Gorgeous golden orange appearance, nice sized head, with a small surface head that hangs around like a "real ale" should, with excellent lacing.
S - Look out aroma...I smelled the beautiful hop flowers used in this nectar from at least a foot away while pouring...citrus, tropical fruits, pine trees, flowers, herbs, earth, etc...its an awe inspiring thing...
T - Pine resiny, citrus and tropical fruits, biscuits/bread/yeast, bitter and crisp, very very balanced, the strongets and most balanced IPA I've experienced...
M - Medium to full but not syrupy like so many A-IPAs...
O - Perfection...I don't understand why this IPA isn't on the top of the list...clearly so many of you BA members have not experienced this gem...visit the brewery asap...buy this ale asap...or trade for it asap...its an A+++

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 01:17:20 | More by HopHeadRyan

BERNUTBAG

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

this is one to have in your frig, nice color smells well balanced with hops and floral, taste the same, a really drinkable beer, will get more when i visit Julios in mass, next to heady, zombie dust and the furious this will be one of my favs, need more flower power

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 18:46:52 | More by BERNUTBAG

jwikan

New York

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I just poured this one after a year or so break from Flower Power and this confirms my past thoughts and feelings. For my taste (I am a brewer) this is pretty much a perfect IPA.
Just a beautiful nose, nice sweet malt profile (I am assuming it was mashed out as high of a temp as possible), the hops profile is astounding! Not to much simcoe (think cat pee smell) not to much bittering hops and a pile of flavoring hops. Must be dry hopped to the max!To capture the nose, a wide wine glass does the trick. You may miss it if you drink it from the bottle.

Carbonation = stellar

Why in the heck would we rate a beer on appearance, who cares?
FYI we are lucky to have the inventor working up here at Peekskill Brewery now, and it seems every beer they put out now has a bit of the FP magic.

If I find an IPA beer thats better I will just have to give it a 5.1 but as long as one doesn't drink a 5 every single day it should stay a 5. I am not going to wait until I die to give a beer a 5. I think 20 years of testing is fine.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 02:47:51 | More by jwikan

Ves22

Pennsylvania

4.99/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Great IPA. Citrusy taste with the perfect amount of hops. My perfect IPA. This is a beer I can keep drinking all night. I have drank many different IPAs and they do not come close to this beer. Smooth finish with a good after taste. I will buying this beer wherever I see it.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 03:12:52 | More by Ves22

twokansamm

Ohio

4.97/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

WOW! This beer is crazy good. When I got it from the Anderson's, I thought "another wanna be IPA". Man Was I wrong.

I am blown away by the Floral, Piney, AND citrusy aromas With a great hop bitterness, it is well balances in the malt arena. This is right up there with Pliny IMO.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2010 20:18:20 | More by twokansamm

Pyner

New York

4.95/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is by far my favorite IPA to date. Incredibly floral and extremely smooth. It compares somewhat to Hop Wallop from Victory but is better. This beer also hides its potency very well and is very easy to drink. As the beer warms up its citrus tones begin to shine thru making it even more complex and delicious. Well done Ithaca!

Serving type: growler

07-22-2010 19:56:18 | More by Pyner

Tilley4

Tennessee

4.95/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Received as an extra from inebriatedjoker in a recent trade...

Pours a cloudy golden with a persistent head atop... Lots of lacing...

Pungent piney hop aromas... A touch of malt but this is all about the hops. A fresh bouquet of hoppiness... Pine and citrus hops abound and seem deeper and more intense than others of the style..

Dank deep piney hoppiness all the way... Loaded with resiny piney hops that coat the palate and dominate the senses... Unbelievable...

A world class IPA in my opinion... It's deep and dank with resiny piney hops and is better than 99% of the IPAs that I've had... Awesome brew...

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 18:11:09 | More by Tilley4

thebrood1987

New Jersey

4.95/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Leaves a really nice rocky ice cream scoop head and has a hazy and cloudy look to it even though its not unfiltered this is from all the hops they put into the beer. I get a nice thick citrus wet hop smell that reminds me of Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale. The taste is in amazing array of juicy citrus hops that are just pushing that resin potent taste. It ends with a nice bitter finish that doesn't last too long but long enough to let you know this is a great IPA.

It has a freshness notch next to January so this is a month old so it may have some more bitterness than what I'm explaining but it's still even at a month past its due date amazingly hoppy. The hop flavor is what this beer is all about. The mouthfeel I think wins this beer over for many because its thick honey like malt feel mixes in with the thick hops taste and it creates an outstanding quality beer.

I just had a Green Flash West Coast IPA and even though its not as pungent and bitter as that this still some of the best east coast IPA's like Dogfish Head 60 minute.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2011 02:53:03 | More by thebrood1987

Finatic

Florida

4.95/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured a 12oz bottle into a chilled Troeg's pint glass.

A: Pours a nice amber. orange color with a big white foamy head. Lacing sticks to the glass as the beer recedes.

S: Tropical notes overwhelm the nose. The resiny hop smell is awesome. This is one of my favorite smelling beers outside of fresh Hopslam.

T: Tastes like it smells.

M: Medium carbonation, very smooth and easy to drink.

O: Awesome IPA and hands down my favorite IPA. Always looking to get my hands on this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 22:09:41 | More by Finatic

bennway

Massachusetts

4.95/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle poured into a tulip glass

a: About one finger of head, a medium golden color, not sparkling clear but considerably transparent.

s: Smell is always my real first impression, and this beer does not disappoint. If I were interviewing this beer for a job, and its smell was our handshake, I would hire this beer on the spot. Fantastic aroma hops, note of citrus fruit.

t: The exceptionally pleasant sweetness from the honey malt is exceeded only by its hop bill. Despite what I thought was an obvious ingredient, I was surprised to find out that this beer is not brewed with any citra hops. Regardless, notes of citrus and bright tangerine dominate.

m: Sweet and light, in some ways almost reminds me of Tang, for those of you who remember.

o: Hands down, one of my favorite IPA's and favorite beers for that matter. Floral, sweet and at 7.5%, it has knocked me over in more ways that one and raises the bar.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2012 17:37:21 | More by bennway

joejost

New York

4.93/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

First let me say I am a huge fan of Flower Power and have had it in bottles, growler, and on-tap.

This review is based on unfiltered on-tap at the brewery less than 30 minutes after they kegged it.

Poured a cloudy golden-yellowish, with a beautiful white head.
That smell!! Instantly recognize the grapefruit, pineapple, hop aroma.
This tastes incredible! I could drink this morning, noon, and night, for the next 40 years.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2009 18:58:17 | More by joejost

btorsdog

Ohio

4.93/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Ya gotta love this stuff! Totally put together in a awesome way.
looks amazing with a solid golgen appearance
smells like a walk through a hops garden surronded buy an orange grove, sweeeet!
tastes even better than nose if that is possible, complex yet straightforward IPA flavor
Definetly a smooth well crafted brew that is absolutely amazing. Glad this one made it to my end of town,willbe in my fridge at all times from this day forward!

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2010 01:03:03 | More by btorsdog

DmanGTR

New York

4.93/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Review from notes in Jan 2010. Thanks for buying me a pint Jim!

Poured a lovely orangey amber, a little bit of haze, with a pearly 1" head that left ample lacing and retained wonderfully. The bouquet is a rich piny and citrusy balance and a LOT of it! Hugely aromatic and floral with a bit of earthy tones. A light honey/caramel backbone with ample citrus fruits and pine. I shan't drink less than a pint of this every time.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2010 15:13:24 | More by DmanGTR

stearns16

Connecticut

4.93/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Hop heaven in a glass.

A - Hazy orange with a solid white head.

S - Pleasant and clean - orange, grapefruit and piney

T - Refreshing. The first sip leaves you wanting more ... and there's a nice bitter finish.

An interesting beer that reminds me of summer, but tastes great in the winter, too.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2011 23:21:53 | More by stearns16

OddNotion

New Jersey

4.93/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Poured into my DFH Signature Glass. Pours with a one finger white head and a beautiful hazy orange color.

Smell: Each smell of this beer provided me with a nice smile. There is a ton of citrusy fruit, other fruit smells, and very sweet. Amazing, I love the hop aroma on this bad boy.

Taste: The taste follows the nose. An incredible citrus bomb. There is some nice bitterness to back it up but this beer is fruity as which is probably my favorite flavor in an IPA.

Mouthfeel: There is a nice carbonation, very active and it really helps enhance the experience with this beer. There is a good body to it as well, not too light not too thick.

Overall: This was a fresh bottle. I can see how others may think it is mediocre of they acquire a bottle that is a little dated from my previous experiences with this IPA. It is one of my favorites and if you ge the chance to have it fresh jump all over it! It makes a world of difference. This East Coast brewed West Coast Style IPA can hang with the best of them.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2011 05:30:18 | More by OddNotion

BobaFret

Pennsylvania

4.93/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - A nice, clear light orange/gold color with a creamy white head that lingers.

S - Tropical fruits dominate the aroma followed by a subtle dank character. One of the most appealing aromas on an IPA.

T - Sweet, citrusy, juicy! You can taste everything that is in the aroma. You can definitely taste the Citra and Simcoe hops.

M - Smooth, medium body.

O - A superb, drinkable IPA!

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 04:28:28 | More by BobaFret

mschofield

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Fantastic beer. Pours a dark gold to light amber, fluffy huge head possibly from the high hopping? Tan with sticky cathedral window lacing and it just doesn't quit.

Tropical aroma, overall fruity but I can pick out pineapple and mango and citrus by inhaling deeply.

Same reflected in the taste, with the sweetness of honey malt, different than crystal but the malt is mainly there right before the swallow, it's all tropical fruit up front.

Medium bodied for the style, just a touch of rawness and bite to it. Drinkability is world class, have to remind myself it's 7.5% and not something I could just drink one after the other even though it tastes good enough to do exactly that.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 00:33:56 | More by mschofield

MMM8884

Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Best I.P.A. I've ever experienced. Came highly reccomended, and did not disappoint. The taste is what puts this beer over the top; it's like an all-out assault of delicious hops attacking your taste buds...in a good way. If there's any better I.P.A. out there, I haven't encountered it yet.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2011 21:24:16 | More by MMM8884

Arrowhuntr

Pennsylvania

4.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer should be an Imperial IPA. It is in my top 5 IPA's and is so refreshing and goes down so easy, its scary. I live in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania where you can not purchase this beer yet, so a drive for it was worth it. It smells flowery but it is Citrus and Pine, with hints of grapefruit. All I have to say is I will be buying this whenever available, because in thirty years of drinking, this is truly one of my most enjoyable experiences.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 15:34:20 | More by Arrowhuntr

bum732

Maryland

4.88/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

S: Fresh mango and grapefruit juice, lots of sweet orange and tangerine.

L: Slight hazy burnt orange, creamy white head, 1/4 inch retention, amazing lacing.

T: Sweet malt with a bold mango and grapefruit hoppiness. Medium high citrus bitterness leads to loads more fruits. Great balance of clean malt with hoppiness with a bit more of the latter. Finishes with a touch of malt sweetness and remnants of clean hoppiness. Layers of hops but still kept in check.

M: Medium full body, medium low carbonation.

Really great balance and amazing hoppiness. Best east coast IPA i've ever had. So kept in check and great layers of hops, love it.

Serving type: growler

09-07-2011 02:26:33 | More by bum732