Lac Du Bay IPA - Central Waters Brewing Company

steveh

Illinois

1.95/5  rDev -48.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

From Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, WI -- a the gift of a co-worker who lives for this brewery -- told him I'd give it a sample.

Pours a deep, dark brown with some red highlights -- not quite stout-looking, but maybe brown ale. Thick, off-white to tan head.

Malt nose with fruit esters; almost strawberry or kiwi, light caramel and earthiness back. Some pininess with warmth.

Hmm, bit of an astringent first kick, followed by toffee flavors and dry bittering hops, finishing very band-aid-like.

Light to medium body with a dry mouth-feel.

Interesting that the hops sort of balance against the astringency to create a very dry beer, but there's not much in the way of flavor but some fleeting malt and then bitter hops. Not sure I'd spend my time with another of these.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2008 22:21:56 | More by steveh

enelson

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

02-08-2013 23:01:23 | More by enelson

wyatt13

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%

01-04-2013 01:08:51 | More by wyatt13

1Nrwyscotch

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%

12-05-2012 23:34:54 | More by 1Nrwyscotch

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

orange tinted honey colored amber being presented in front of me. Very hazy, with the cloudiness no doubt due to the unfiltered nature of it. A nice white head of foam, perhaps two fingers high then came over the top and settled down gradually to just a thin film of lace. Very nice appearance I would have to say. Some decent carbonation could be seen trickling up from the bottom and a good amount of side glass lace was involved as well.

The aroma was pleasant, not as strong as I would have liked, but still pretty decent. There was a nice floral hoppiness, somewhat muted hints of orange and lemongrass with a touch of pine. Decent malt base was apparent as the aroma of bread came through nicely. The flavor followed much of the same, owing that nice light floral hoppiness, but never having enough of it to really push it all the way forward.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 19:18:32 | More by mikesgroove

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle acquired in trade with The_Enemy (thanks!).

Poured a dark copper color with a large sized off white head. Aromas of caramel, floral, spices, and citrus. Tastes of oranges, caramel, floral hops, and almost a toasted nuttiness to it as well. Lots of lacing left on the glass.

Notes from: 2/4/06

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2009 19:57:44 | More by hopdog

grub

Ontario (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

got this one as a bonus in a trade with EliteDigger. thanks scott!

12oz bottle. sampled nov 22/08.

pours hazy reddish brown with a wisp of dense off-white head. a few spots of lace cling to the edges. a bit dark for the style.

aroma is wacky - not quite what i expected from an english ipa. burnt caramel. toasted multi-grain bread. hint of nutty character. touch of dark chocolate. feels like a bit of raw oak too. earthy.

taste is nice. just over medium bitterness level. earthy. touch of burnt caramel again. multi-grain bread and biscuit. definitely some nutty character here too. there's a bit of raw oaky tannin too. bit of alcohol.

mouthfeel is ok. some astringency that kind of takes away from things. medium-low carbonation level. medium-light body.

drinkability is ok. sort of an odd one here. malty, slightly unbalanced bitterness, with little noticeable alcohol. the astringency and clinging bitterness is the biggest detractor from the drinkability. though it's been in my fridge, i can't help but think it's a bit past its prime and i should re-evaluate with a fresh bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2008 00:18:54 | More by grub

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.45/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle, thanks to grub!

Pours a hazy dark reddish orange, bit of brown, thin off white head, quickly settles to a thin ring around the glass, drops a bit of lacing on the glass, funny colour for an IPA though. Smell is interesting, very heavy fruits, cherries mixed with butterscotch, a bit of woody sourness, sugar and candies, oranges, pretty interesting. Taste is very bready, almost sourdough like, butterscotch, oak, fruity, candy like, heavy burnt caramel finish, strawberries, herbal bitterness. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation, a little rough. Pretty interesting, a bit minerally, lots of fruit and butterscotch, but neat stuff. Thanks Russ!

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2008 00:07:06 | More by Viggo

kdog630

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Had this on tap in New Glarus, WI. I know, but there wasn't a NG IPA on tap...

Nice amber color with half inch head that left lacing throughout. Hop aroma was pretty good, nice citrus but you could still get the malt with it.

The malt really comes through in the initial taste, leading to a crisp hop finish. Mouthfeel was pretty average, not too strong but definitely better than others I've had lately.

Over all, a very drinkable beer. A good one to have after a nice ride on the Sugar River Trail.

Serving type: on-tap

09-08-2008 16:01:47 | More by kdog630

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.28/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a clearish, dark amber body with a foamy, off-white head.

Smell: Cinnamon sticks and sugar blended into a scent of grainy malts with a faroff hint of lemon.

Taste: A flavor of toasted grains, but with no real sweetness present. Instead, you're treated to a fresh spice component tasting of cinnamon and maybe even nutmeg. Again, there's those grains. Medium-high bitterness. Neutrally flavored finish that just sorta ends.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Okay, at best. Those IPA just didn't do for me one bit.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2008 19:59:46 | More by ChainGangGuy

SkinnyElvis

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Atron67 for a bottle as part of a trade. Cheers!

Pours with a real nice & thick head. Dark amber in color. Real yeasty smell with a bit of sweetness. Taste is a classic English IPA with sweet carmel blended with the hops. Mouthfeel is smooth & this is very drinkable. A fine example of the style. Recommended.

Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2008 01:30:16 | More by SkinnyElvis

Atron67

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- pours an dark copper red IPA. has a big foamy off white head. fell down slowly but left no lacing on the glass.

S- has a decent maltiness that starts out, but there is a nice strong citrussy hop aroma for the rest of the nose. a little grapefruit in there as well.

T- has a really nice maltiness which turns into a heavy bitterness that goes really well with the maltiness. the hops shine but the malts is always there to keep it in the english style.

M- creamy body, light carbonation, sticky on the tongue

D- pretty damn good

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2008 22:32:45 | More by Atron67

CaptainIPA

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Vigorously poured (splashed my keyboard in the process) from a 12 oz., brown bottle into a pint glass.

Rusty amber color with a gorgeous, two-finger head that lasts forever. Generous lacing.

Sweet, caramel malt and toffee nose. Hints of butterscotch and grapefruit.

Taste mirrors the aroma: toasted caramel malt upfront followed by a brief metallic note, before yielding to hints of butterscotch and toffee. British hops help balance the taste profile by making it moderately bitter at best. Crisp, thin mouthfeel.

Irrepressibly drinkable. Much more so than an American IPA hopbomb.

To quote the brewery, "as smooth as a sunset paddle on the glassy waters of Lac du Bay."

Listen closely and you can hear the loons.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2008 20:13:56 | More by CaptainIPA

drpimento

Wisconsin

2.75/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Which hophead would that be? Poured with a great frothy, foamy head and some lace. Head lasted for a while. Interesting dark amber clear color. Picked up some bitterness in the nose and flavor, but not really so hoppy. Big burnt sugar characteristics. Good beer but not so much as an IPA. Wonder why they went with this as an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2008 22:56:40 | More by drpimento

DaPeculierDane

Wisconsin

4.38/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Alchemy in Madison, WI.

Impressive. This beer has really improved since I last had it...that or this is just an exceptionally fresh batch.

Clear copper body with visible carbonation and a healthy but short-lived khaki head that leaves only minimal skim.

Big malt aroma of caramel, raisons, bread, and biscuits as well as fruity yeast notes, and citric hops.

Taste offers a wonderful bready/caramel base with truly fresh citrus fruit flavors throughout. Finishes with a moderate bitterness and a touch of British tasting hops.

Mouthfeel is fresh and lively with average carbonation. Fairly smooth. Bitterness is not overly aggressive but is present. Finish is fairly dry. Very well balanced.

I never cared much for this beer in the past. It always tasted powdery and muddled to me on tap but this last batch is wonderful. I will be revisting often.

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2008 19:53:24 | More by DaPeculierDane

Wasatch

Utah

4.35/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks goes out to brdc for this one.

Pours a nice golden amber color, very nice carbonation, very nice one-finger creamy head, lots of thick sticky lacing follows. The nose is a big malt bomb, slight hop, some figs, raisins, plums, and caramel. The taste is very big on malts, some hops, and a good dose of dark fruit, with some caramel. Medium body. Very drinkable, quite the differnt Engligh IPA to say the least, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2008 03:04:08 | More by Wasatch

emerge077

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Very dark color, reddish brown with a touch of orange. Hazy sediment is suspended in the glass. Ring of foam in the glass, with irregular webs of lacing.

Slightly sweet fruit in the nose, a hint of candied citrus fruits. Caramel maltiness is appealing, with a distinct barley smell.

Malty and fairly full bodied, it has a little bit of astringent bitterness. Dry, piney aftertaste, a little medicinal.

It's ok and worth a try, not my favorite from Central Waters.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2008 02:01:02 | More by emerge077

kenito799

New York

4/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a highball. Thanks to tizzod (again) for introducing me to beers of the Midwest.

Clear dark amber brew, off-white head is raised which recedes to a ring.

Roasted buttery caramelized malt predominates on the nose. The flavor is an equal balance of this rich maltiness and a full-on strong bitterness from the start thru a long finish. Mouthfeel is fairly rich with mild creamy carbonation, feels almost like a cask sample. The hops bring grapefruit pith and a bitter floral flavor that is the flavor of English hops. A nice example of a forceful English IPA, definitely contrasts with more complex American IPAs but holds its own as a delectable bitter.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2007 01:28:34 | More by kenito799

Homerbag

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark copper with thin head that just covers the body. Laces evenly down the glass.
Smell is different from most IPA's. Upfront is more malty than hoppy. The hops are there but unlike most Wisconsin IPA's the malt is on display equally with the hop.
Taste is spot on. Excellent balance between the malts and hop. The malt hits right away but then gives way to a nice piney, hop taste that lingers heavily. There is no hint of alcohol, very well hidden.
Feel is where it should be.
This is right up therewith the other excellent upper mid-west IPAs.
For hop heads this is very drinkable and enjoyable for anyone who does like IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2007 22:25:04 | More by Homerbag

cdkrenz

Wisconsin

4.78/5  rDev +26.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

$7.00 / Six Pack
County Market
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Appearance - It pours to a deep caramel color with a thin tan head. The caramel color has a hint of red to it in the light.

Smell - Firm malt scent with a tone of hops. There is crispness to the aroma that makes this brew very difficult not to drink.

Taste - It has a medium bodied malt flavor to start out and moves quickly but with a smooth segway into a strong hoppy finish. Fantastic!

Mouthfeel - Smooth from lips to tongue to throat. Considering the large gap in flavors this IPA is brewed to near perfection.

~ Truthfully, I was ever much for beers with a strong hop as their base. This has changed my mind. I am bordering on this, Lac Du Bay - India Pale Ale as taking over as my favorite beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2007 22:01:09 | More by cdkrenz

Billolick

New York

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ouncer, pours darker amber, clear, under a dark tan head, and leaving some scattered lacing. Actually has a bit of a malty nose, sort of unusual for an "IPA". Hops present but reserved, to fit the style. Malt/hops in balance to make this a heary sessioner. Another respectable offering from Central Waters, I never made it tot he brewery, but I was happy to sample and enjoy several of their brews. Thanks to Randy Shukar for being so giving and sharing this one as well as tons of other brews with us.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2007 17:36:52 | More by Billolick

lonestar4lunch

Texas

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours quite darker than expected. The aroma is big and wonderfull. Hops, toffee, sugar sweetness and maybe some malt. There is light lacing that hangs around. Taste, very nice. Not your standard IPA but since this is an English IPA it works, and well. Starts off with the hops and some bitterness then moves to an almost dark chocolate mixed with hops dryness. The finsh is smooth and you get a nice lingering flavor of the hops. Outstanding. Very drinkable give the ABV and for the style wonderful. I wish I could get this here in Texas.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2007 05:27:05 | More by lonestar4lunch

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Deep copper, a little murky, off-white head, no retention or lace.

S: Big fuggle hop aroma, brown sugar, light fruity esters.

T: Figs, raisin-bread, burnt toffee & caramel, fairly balanced (only slightly bitter), slight earthy citrus, some fruity ale esters, alcohol is really well-hidden. Really more of a British strong than an IPA.

M: Moderate to full body is smooth; modest carbonation.

D: Good.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2007 02:20:01 | More by Derek

mynie

Indiana

4.4/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Quite the pour. Extra super incarnadine with a giant, soapy white head.

Hops are big in the nose but subdued compared to what I'm used to. What takes there place, large and in charge, is a nice very thick and syrupy malt.

It tastes mostly like the same giant malt and now that I'm tasting it I see no reason for a ton of hops. The hop presence is still there--west coasty but I'm not entirely sure which kinds exactly. Or "what kind," since it tastes like only one variety. But, seriously, the malt is exciting and varied enough, drifting from bready, to earthen, to wonderfuly bitter.

A very nice, slightly unique taste on the old style.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2007 01:41:19 | More by mynie

Cresant

Kentucky

3.63/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Thanks to brdc for the opportunity to try this one. Poured this 12 oz. brown bottle into an IPA glass. No date. The body was a rather dark amber color. The yellowy-tan head was over three fingers tall.

Smell was interesting, malt and hard candy. The British hops perhaps. Crusty, nutty bread with marmalade. Husky grain and leafy hops. Intense and a little unusual.

Taste was hops flavor and accompanying bitterness. Chocolate. Seems more balanced than most American IPAs.

Mouthfeel was medium in body and light/medium in carbonation. Easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2007 01:41:46 | More by Cresant