Flower Power India Pale Ale - Ithaca Beer Company

MisSigsFan

California

4.44/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a hazy gold color with a good amount of sediment that makes its way to the bottom of the glass. Two finger thick white head. Smell is a lot of tropical fruit and earthy notes. Taste follows the nose for the most part, but with a lot more citrus and a bit of pine. I love the bitterness too. First time I tried this I think my palate was completely shot from what I was drinking before, but now all of these flavors are coming out. It's really nice. Mouthfeel is what you would expect from an IPA. Pretty light and crisp and absolutely refreshing. Overall, honestly this is probably one of my favorite IPAs. Possibly up there with Sculpin and Stone. I was really not expecting something this good.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 21:13:08 | More by MisSigsFan

Rocky9

California

4.55/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The best-smelling beer I've ever had, and one of my favorite IPAs as well.

Looks great, smells unbelievably great - I'll admit, I'm a sucker for any "floral"-type IPA. Something about it just makes the beer taste better. Especially when you don't actually taste the flowery part in the beer itself. I don't know how they do it - it's a mystery!

One of my "top 3" beers. I'd drink this anytime, anywhere.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 14:31:21 | More by Rocky9

dar482

New York

4.63/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Store just got a case of this. It has a 3 month Best By, so it’s at most 1 month old (June is nicked on the bottle label).

A white fluffy one finger head. The color is a light peach and apricot gold color. Looks almost like Crystal Delight. It’s super hazy and you cannot see through it.

That aroma is killer. One of the best I’ve smelled from an IPA. So freaking complex. Tropical fruit, juicy ripe peaches, pineapple, apple. Just sweet sweet ripe fruit. Going back in, it’s almost like sweet grapefruit, which is hidden from the honey sweet aroma.

The flavor is quite interesting. Not as expected. The first thing that kicks you is a huge grapefruit bitterness that rushes all over the tongue, onto the sides. There’s pineapple in there as well. The middle has a slight biscuit malt flavor before the finish hits.

The aftertaste isn’t bad because it just has this astringent grapefruit peel bitterness. Very fresh and natural tasting without bothering the palate. It’s very strong still. A huge bitter bomb. Not recommended for those just getting into IPAs.

It’s well constructed. I wish the front flavors were a bit stronger and lasted longer. The transition is good to the strong and bitter finish.

This is a hop head’s dream. The bitterness I wish was slightly toned down, but there aren’t too many complaints. World class beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 03:32:53 | More by dar482

brydeen

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

bottle poured into a pint glass, courtesy of jstilwell

A: Pour a pale golden color. Very crisp/clear in appearance. A nice 1/4 inch white head emerges, but dissipates quickly, leaving just a thin white layer of bubbles. Pretty decent lacing.

S: A nice dry, bitter aroma. Faint floral smell, with a slight, subtle sweetness from some citrus notes. Restrained, but quite nice. Perfumey.

T: Tropical yet dry. Hints of oranges and lemon zest. Slight bitterness, with a pleasantly dry finish. A light earthy flavor as well. Outstanding.

M: Dry, light-bodied, with bubbly carbonation. This beer is amazingly drinkable. I could easily see myself drinking a 6 pack in a night (against my better judgement). Drinks so light, the alcohol is almost unnoticeable.

O: This might be my ideal IPA. Light, dry, bitter, with just enough citrusy sweetness. It doesn't have the powerful nose or big flavor to stand up to the top DIPAs, but it's on a short list of IPAs for me. Really flavorful yet easy to drink. I'll never be unhappy receiving this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 01:44:34 | More by brydeen

flayedandskinned

California

4.43/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Best before July 2013 Date.
Poured into Sierra Nevada/Dogfish IPA glass.
Big thanks to IPAkindofguy for giving me this as an extra in a trade!

Appearance: Pours a crystal clear, light orange verging on blonde. Its almost pilsner-esque in hue. A thick, pure white 2 and half finger heads forms as soon it the beer hits the glass. The leaves lots of sticky lacing as the head recedes. Really nice looking IPA.

Aroma: Big, dank slightly astringent citra and simcoe hops right away; Huge tropical notes of kiwi, pineapple, grapefruit and light passion fruit. There is really interesting floral scent imparted by the yeast. There is a really nice and soft, sweet maltiness that comes out more and more as the beer warms.

Taste: Hops slam your palate immediately; huge notes of grapefruit, passion fruit and a really nice pine needle note. A soft bready malt presence provides the perfect backbone to show case the tropical and fruity hops. The beer finishes dry and bitter with lingering notes of grapefruit, passion fruit and cracke-ry malt.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with low to moderate carbonation.

Overall: Great stuff! Honestly this is the most "west coast" styled IPA I have ever had. The hops positively leap off of the soft, but firm malt backbone. This really reminds me of a slightly less aromatic version of Blind Pig IPA from Russian River, but if it was brewed with Citra hops. I highly recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 03:54:12 | More by flayedandskinned

Sam21

Connecticut

4.01/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into tulip. Best by June 2013, so this beer is two months old.

A- Hazy orange body with a thick and creamy white head that leaves great tiger striping.

S- Lots of lemongrass, dried apricots, pineapple, touch of grapefruit rind, and some light peachy notes.

T- Hop centered, but holds some semblance of balance. Sweeter hop notes up front showcasing sweet citrus fruits and perhaps a hint of tropical fruit. This bleeds into a grapefruit bitterness in the middle that sits atop a sweet caramel backbone. Finishes with thick, resinous, and leafy hop bitterness that slices right through. Leaves lingering notes of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice.

MF- Medium-full body with smooth creamy carbonation. Really nice smooth body with a dry finish.

O- This is a hop-centric IPA. It's definitely one of the hop monsters that does it well. It's up there with Gandhi Bot, Heady Topper, and Sculpin. Hopped, hopped, and hopped again… and then dry hopped. It shows, but it also carries some balance and pleasant sweetness rounding it all out. Great IPA that is really easy to find and find fresh.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 02:34:00 | More by Sam21

JG-90

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Bottle poured into glass yields a medium sized bubbly head that is slighty off-white in color. Beer is a dull cloudy yellow with a hint of orange. Head recedes to leave a thin film on top. Moderate lacing.

Great smell - grapefruit, orange, and floral are most noticable. Pinneapple and pine also present with a bit of bread. Taste is incredible as well, starts with orange and floral, then comes grapefruit bitterness, finishing with pine and bread. Mouthfeel is very creamy, medium/heavy body, moderate/high and slightly biting carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 21:15:47 | More by JG-90

sommersb

Tennessee

3.84/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Tasted On: 04-14-2013
Freshness: Best before 05-2013
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Globe glass
Purchased: Received in a trade

Thanks to DrewShal9 for the trade brew

A: Golden in color, clear on the first pour and then hazy on the second. The finger of off-white head has both good retention and lacing.

S: First I get a pungent aroma of citrus hops, and then a very floral note. The floral aspect is like a perfume -- quite different than any beer I've ever smelled.

T: The taste has an up-front hop bitterness with flavors of tropical fruits and tartness of grapefruit. The malt presence is low.

M: Both body and carbonation are in the medium range, with a finish that is bitter from hops and has a few sweet malt tones making an appearance. Also features some alcohol warmth.

O: Overall a good IPA with a an interesting aroma.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 01:24:58 | More by sommersb

JuliusCaesar

New Hampshire

4.21/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Golden and a bit hazy

S: Sweet, floral hops

T: Sweet malts up front quickly followed by citrus hops and a bitter finish.

M: Smooth and nice carbonation

Overall: I like this beer a lot. It has a great balance of malt and hops. I'll be buying this one again

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 18:20:00 | More by JuliusCaesar

thlayli87

New Jersey

4.11/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

A - Beautiful golden orange color with 1 finger head. Lots of bubbles cling to the sides of the glass. Decent lacing.

S - Complex nose with notes of mango, citrus, and pineapple.

T - Not as fruity as the nose. Some citrus fruit flavor followed by floral and herbal hop notes.

M - Smooth and satisfying. Mildly astringent

O - Hop forward but smooth and drinkable. A well crafted brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:03:19 | More by thlayli87

Phather

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Really really tasty. Not resinous... very flowery. Really light in the mouth. Good carbonation once I roll it around. it's nice and light. I wish this were in a can - i'd bring loads of it to the beach and in my cooler with friends.

The color is lighter than I'd expect... but I guess that matches the flavor. Good aftertaste too. This has always been one of my favorites - and now having it on tap and in my growler I'm an even bigger fan.

Serving type: growler

04-12-2013 03:47:30 | More by Phather

dheacck11

Connecticut

4.19/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a hazy golden straw with a 1/4 finger of white head. Decent amount of lace.

Nose is light and bright, sunshiney citrus. Hints of honey.

Taste is citrus heavy up front with orange, lemon, honey, and maybe just a slight hint of ginger. Transitions to a piney dry hop.

Thick medium body with a thick lingering after taste of hops and citrus.

A great IPA all around. Lots of great flavors and nicely balanced. Solid go to IPA when you find it.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 23:37:51 | More by dheacck11

gr0g

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A slightly hazy golden amber with a not quite two finger head. There's some pretty nice lacing left behind in spidery curtains all around the glass. Aroma features a diverse array of hop notes, which is something I like in an IPA. Right after the pour, tropical fruit notes of mango and pineapple are very noticeable. After a bit the scales are tipped a bit towards grass/pine/resin vs. fruit/citrus but both worlds are well represented.

On the palate there's a solid bitterness that goes on past the finish. Bright citrus-like fruit and rind flavors. Some grass and pine back it up. Caramel malt backbone lingers in the background but keeps the dryness at a level that I would consider moderately dry. The ideal IPA mouthfeel is present -- well carbonated but soft, slick and oily from prodigious hopping.

Flower Power packs an overall bright, fresh character with excellent complexity on both the nose and the palate. This is an elite IPA, especially among Eastern US breweries.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 22:33:45 | More by gr0g

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

4.01/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Clear bright gold. Head is bright-white and drops to a faint clumpy cap and a small loose collar in short order. Nice sheets and streaks of lacing. Moderate carbonation on the pour.

Smell: Floral and citrus heavy. Tons of sweet orange flesh and floral hop elements. Solid malt backbone consists mainly of sweet pale malts with a touch of caramel thrown in. Crystal malts as well? Juicy hop aroma. Some pine bitterness on the back, but it's generally bright.

Taste: Slightly sweet pale maltiness. A good punch of floral and citrus from the get go. Some pine needle bitterness in the back. Wet and juicy. Loaded with orange zest and grapefruit flesh. Cooked malt sweetness. Lingering bitterness. Slightly toasted. Oily.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and a touch slick. Heavy medium body with a moderate carbonation. Slight lingering bitter finish. Not dry at all, which is a bit surprising.

Overall: 4 out 5 Power Rangers recommend this beer.

Fresh this thing is stellar. Put more than 2 weeks on it and it loses that fine edge. Bitter and floral and unapologetic. That works for me.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 21:47:36 | More by Goblinmunkey7

Omnium

Pennsylvania

4.34/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottle > Pint Glass
A - Pours a slightly hazed yellow, good thick one finger head that lasts a while, medium lacing.
S - Great aroma, big floral hops, dandelion flowers, a mix of different citrus zest, a little honey maltiness.
T - Great citrus fruit flavor and some dry hop characteristics, very vibrant grassy fresh flavors, some light honey and sweet malt and a pinch of yeast.
M - Dry finish with some sticky sweet honey fruit hop dankness that lingers.
O - This is a great IPA, one that could compete with some big guns, but is available year round. Excellent choice for any IPA lover.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 23:06:43 | More by Omnium

Bauzen

New York

4.26/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

This beer surprised me. It looks somewhere between yellow and orange in color, and based on the that, you wouldn't expect it to taste the way it does. In fact, it was as full-flavored and aromatic as darker ales with much higher ABV%. Outstanding flavor profile for such a readily available beer (in my area), and it's not very powerful, so you can enjoy more of it before calling it quits for an evening.

This IPA is on the bitter side, so you prefer a dryer IPA, this might not be for you, but if you enjoy unmissable bright hops flavor in your beer and want a slightly lower ABV, this is an exquisite example.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 23:48:43 | More by Bauzen

superspak

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle into tulip glass, best before May 2013. Pours hazy golden orange color with a 1 finger dense white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass. Aromas of grapefruit, orange zest, pineapple, orange rind, floral, pine, tangerine, grass, light caramel, light honey, and floral earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance, strength, and complexity of hop and malt notes. Taste of big grapefruit, tangerine, orange zest, pine, orange rind, floral, grass, light honey, light caramel, bread, and floral earthiness. Good amount of floral pine bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of citrus, citrus zest, pine, floral, grass, light honey, and floral earthiness on the finish for a while. Very nice balance and complexity of hop flavors; with a solid malt balance and zero cloying flavors present after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a smooth, crisp, and sticky mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an excellent IPA. Very nice complexity and balance of hop and malt flavor; and very smooth to drink. A very enjoyable offering as expected.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 04:39:49 | More by superspak

themind

New Jersey

4.31/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Strong hop smack aroma with a generous head. This beer is really enjoyable. This is my first brew from Ithaca and I am impressed. Flower Power is a high quality IPA that stands upright in the crowded field of legendary IPA's. The only drawback for me is the bitterness which is slightly high for my liking.

Bottom Line: Great IPA worth the money. Would purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 00:42:01 | More by themind

Thads324

Connecticut

4.26/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pours a clear golden yellow, a hair brighter than a miller high life. Thin white head dissipates to a thick outer ring and a pond of froth on top.

Aroma is light, with faint citrus hops and very mild bready malt. A bit of orange, tangerine and lemon zest.
Flavor is heavy on the hops. A tongue filling blend of pine, mild mint leaves, grass, lime zest, grapefruit and tangerine. Balanced well despite an existing but nuetral 2 row like malt base. Vibrant flavor, well balanced.

Hop bitterness floods all parts of the tongue. Medium body, low carbonation.

A great ipa. Well balanced with a wide variety of hop flavor, medium bitterness and high drinkability despite its abv.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2013 18:17:50 | More by Thads324

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

TallSaint

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.34/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

March 27th, 2013

Bottle says BB May, 2013 - ~1 month old.

The nose is dominated by grapefruit, mango, and citrus with a touch of piney hops and a slight sweetness from the malt body. Great nose.

It's extremely hoppy upfront, it mirrors the nose - citrus, grapefruit and mango are punchy and powerful. In the mid-palate the piney and resinous hops comes through and it finishes bitter with slight hoppy resins. Throughout the hops are underpinned by a bisquity malt body that sufficiently balances the hops while still placing them on center-stage.

Medium mouthfeel - simple, perfect for an IPA.

Overall this is a fantastic IPA that is so easy to drink. It's refreshing and awesome when fresh. This is my go to beer when I can get it fresh.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 04:38:11 | More by TallSaint

Rizalini

Nevada

4.49/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Received in a trade from jageraholic. Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Deschutes tulip...

A - Pours a very murky golden orange color, with a foamy/soapy slightly off-white 2 finger head that leaves some spotty lacing as it fades.

S - Juicy, fruity citrus aromas. Mangos, papaya and pineapples. Smells delicious!

T/M - This IPA is extremely balanced. Starts off with a nice malt base, honey and carmel that evolves to the fruity hoppiness. Really great hop aftertaste, resinous and bitter. Medium slightly slick mouthfeel.

O - A damn fine example of a style! One of the best AIPAs I've ever had hands down! A big thanks to jageraholic for sending me 4 of these bad boys! He said once I tried one, I'd be left wanting more... he wasn't wrong.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 03:13:48 | More by Rizalini

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

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Ginger Man.

Beer is a transparent copper colour, with a moderately-sized white head.

Big nose: citrus focused, with lots of grapefruit. A bit of sweet malt.

Taste is soapy, with lots of citrus, predominantly grapefruit. Hops, hops an more hops. There is a bit of a malty backbone that gives some body, but not much malt flavour. A bit of bread. Fairly bitter.

Medium bodied, highly carbonated A bit oily.

Overall, quite good.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2013 01:01:44 | More by jrenihan

BWED

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. bottle poured into a pint

A- Hazy golden orange with a one finger white head. Retains to a 1/4" with lots of rings of lacing.

S- Huge floral nose, with some dry citrus/grapefruit, sitting on a sweet malt backbone.

T- A surprisingly sweet start with a bang of resinous hop in the finish. An interesting, but great balance between the two.

M- Bitter, but not extremely. Fairly light body, with light carbonation. The finish is slightly dry.

O- Tasty. The hops are huge (as they should be) but they aren't overbearing.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 02:10:03 | More by BWED