Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale - Alexander Keith's

H8B8

Ontario (Canada)

2.06/5  rDev -22.6%
look: 2 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

Overpriced, to begin with. Calling this an IPA is an insult to the style too. This is in the same ballpark as say a Molson Ex or a Labatt 50. Nothing special at all. An IPA... Where are the hops?! I wouldn't turn one down but i certainly wouldn't go searching for it... or buy it again for that matter.

Serving type: can

04-04-2013 13:27:46 | More by H8B8

idfancher

Indiana

4.6/5  rDev +72.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This has been the best IPA I have ever tried. Keep in my mind the majority of the time traditional IPA beers are way to hopping or aggressive for my taste. This was clean and an easy drinking beer. It always is excellent in beer batter for frying fish. I drank it out of a bottle so I am not exactly confident on the appearance but everything else was great.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 21:41:01 | More by idfancher

Rinzler

4/5  rDev +50.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

People are ragging on this beer for claiming to be an IPA but it isn't hoppy enough. One person even noted it was worthy of a 3.5 rating but was insulted that it wasn't a "real" IPA, so he gave it a sub 3 rating ".Keith's was marketed as an India Pale Ale long before the IPA style gained popularity in craft brewing circles as a revived historic beer style. This has allowed Keith’s to effectively grandfather the India Pale Ale name in without meeting the current IPA standards." In the USA its marketed as a Nova Scotia Pale Ale. This is a very solid beer, it has great taste while not being too sweet or over powering. Went to the brewery also, a great experience and I recommend anyone who can to take the tour of the brewery. Drink on!

Serving type: on-tap

01-11-2013 19:14:02 | More by Rinzler

Haydn-Juby

Quebec (Canada)

2/5  rDev -24.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Served from a bottle to a Pilsner glass

A: Very pale color. Looks like a typical macro lager. 1.5 finger head that dissipated fairly quickly.

S: Gross adjunct like smells. I've only had two Keith brews but they both carried that same "Funk" of grains and adjuncts.

T: Tasted like licking on a lead pipe soaked in macro-lager. Very metallic. Lots of grain and adjunct in the taste, just like the smell. Very mild bitterness but not too much.

M: Fairly high carbonation for an "ale". Feels light and watery in the mouth but is relatively decent going down.

Overall: I would never buy this again. Did not enjoy it at all. Tasted far to metallic. I'm not much of a session drinker anymore but I drank as much as I could at one time to make it bearable and empty this stuff from my fridge. Definitely not an IPA either, tasted very much like a macro lager.Not something I would want to drink or even session with ever ever again. False advertising on the IPA part and overall a foul beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 23:38:27 | More by Haydn-Juby

HATS4BATS

Ontario (Canada)

2.8/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A Canadian institution. Forced carbonation and pale gold body. Flat, undistinguished nose adding nothing to experience. Refreshing corn-roasted body more lager than IPA with notes of sugar, bordering on metallic, but fills palate with unmistakable Keith's character, texture and flavour apparent from first sip. Pleasant diminishing after-taste.

Serving type: can

12-27-2012 23:24:52 | More by HATS4BATS

Lawl3ss

Texas

2.43/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Chilled 16 oz. can into shaker pint. No visible canning date.

Look- Straw with a finger of off-white foam and a decent number of rising bubbles. Head falls quickly, fair lacing.

Smell- Sharp, herbal lemon, floral, light sweetness, light lager-like crackery aroma, mild vegetal character.

Taste- Clean, light, inoffensive, but not nearly as flavorful as I'd expect from an IPA, and fairly adjunct-y. Fairly sweet. It's definitely not a terrible, but I wouldn't see this one lasting six months at sea.

Mouthfeel- Light body, crisp, moderate carbonation, dry feel, almost dusty.

Overall- Meh; it's alright. If you're looking for a more flavorful macro and it's available, then by all means snag one. As marketed, however, I have to dock it for being a gross misrepresentation of the style. Strongly reminds me of a waterier Henry Weinhard's IPA.

Serving type: can

12-10-2012 03:21:34 | More by Lawl3ss

bmelanco

1.5/5  rDev -43.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 3 | overall: 1

THis is the worst excuse for an IPA that I have ever had. If it was labeled as what it is, a medium lager, I'd give it a 3.5, but they called it an IPA. It is not an IPA. I taste almost no hops; a little residua sweetness/carmel; and that familiar american mass produced lager aftertaste.

Serving type: can

10-22-2012 00:42:44 | More by bmelanco

Tone

Missouri

2.6/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a clear, amber color. 1/4 inch head of an off-white color. Slight retention and slight lacing. Smells of slight hops, sweet malt, and pale malt. Barley fits the style of an English IPA. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of pale malt, slight sweet malt, rice/corn, and a hint of hops. Overall, hops are nearly absent, appearance is lacking, and aroma is muted.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 15:39:19 | More by Tone

Thepumpkinpiper

3.9/5  rDev +46.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

The only IPA I will touch, and most don't even consider it an IPA to begin with. Nonetheless:

A - Clear, pale, with little head. Almost looks like a cheap lager.

S - Very pleasant - notes of fresh-mown grass and berries.

T - As hoppy as someone like myself can take - in other words, a bit of floral hoppy flavor, but nothing that would put off a non-IPA drinker. Slightly bitter, flavorful, refreshing.

M - A little too carbonated for my liking, but otherwise smooth and crisp.

Overall - I've always liked Keith's, and considered it a fine beer. Maybe it doesn't please the current "in-crowd" of snobby IPA drinking hipsters, but for me it makes for a great pint.

Serving type: can

09-03-2012 00:14:12 | More by Thepumpkinpiper

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

2.53/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A - Pours a light golden colour, thin layer of head with little retention or lacing.

S - Light on the nose, bready caramel, floral hop, sweet corn and a grassy finish.

T - Again, quite light, flavors are of any typical macro leaning more on the bready malt side. Buttery notes, faint floral hops with a touch of blueberries.

M - Medium bodied, a tad thin and finishes with a touch of dryness.

O - A classic sessoionable mass produced brew. I'd tale this Amy day over Coors or Canadian, but it's only marginally better. Nothing memorable here, but it's certainly drinkable.

Serving type: can

08-28-2012 23:03:28 | More by andrenaline

BlurryVisi0n

New York

2.25/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Good beer looking like your usual lager it remember that it isn't. Heavy bubbles on the body with a thin white head that hits up to maybe 1/8".

Smell: smells like the lightest hops you ever had.

Taste: this is not what I was expecting, light little hoppy taste. I feel a little orange maybe grapefruit peel but barely there.

Mouth: Definitely medium to heavy not bad but not sticking either. Toasted tangerine after taste that is a little tough.

Overall: to call this an IPA is a crime, I love IPAs but this is not one. More like a pale ale is you ask me. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 20:31:03 | More by BlurryVisi0n

EliNightCrew

1/5  rDev -62.4%
look: 1 | smell: 1 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

Not only was it never a good beer (Lager, Ale, anything ---Def not IPA), but it got way worse since the new owners goofed around with the recipe.

Not a 'daily driver', not a Lager, not an Ale.
NOT A BEER.

Its an American adjunct lager at best so why bother drinking it?

This is crap in a bottle.

Pale pale yellow colour. It tastes and looks just like Blue. Hardly any bitter Hop taste. What a crime to call this beer an IPA. Should be a law against this type of marketing.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 07:24:01 | More by EliNightCrew

Raebo56

4.08/5  rDev +53.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Forget how its marketed as an IPA, its not brewed as an American style IPA that is bitter and leaves an after taste, it is however a wonderfully light, crisp, clean and refreshing beer, that has great carbonation.
This is a beer that can be drank all night it is not bloating.
I would pair this beer up when eating greasy, spicy foods as it cleanses the palette between bites like many Indian brewed beers.
Imperial IPA's or double IPA's are great but I personally only drink 3 to 4oz of them at a time like a digestive tonic.
This branded IPA is really a great daily driver offering a crisp lager type beer impression while wearing a IPA label to snag the trenders.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 15:22:56 | More by Raebo56

BigBry

Alberta (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev +25.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had the pleasure of visiting Halifax and getting Keith's from where it's made. Beer always tastes better fresh from the tap. Would recommend the brewery tour - gives good history of Keith's and includes samples.
Clear, golden yellow color. Bright white head, shrinks but never totally disappears. Smell is light, fresh grass. Taste is clean and refreshing, but as a pilsner/lager, not as an India Pale Ale or even a Pale Ale. Body and mouthfeel are light, and as mentioned previously clean and refreshing. No real aftertaste or lingering flavor (hops or otherwise). Easy to drink (especially from a ceramic Keith's mug in the cellar of the Stag's Head, in downtown Halifax).

Serving type: on-tap

06-26-2012 03:18:16 | More by BigBry

NV9

Ontario (Canada)

2.93/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

First off, this clearly isn't an IPA, despite how it's marketed.

Pours very clear, not much foam at all and doesn't last long.

Not much smell at all, faint corn and a bit of hops.

Taste of fruit with again, light corn and hops. Pretty light and easy to drink.

As a light ale, it's not half bad, and 5% ABV, but doesn't cut it as an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 23:39:54 | More by NV9

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into Alexander Keith glass from tap at a local pub in Ottawa, Ontario. Pours a crisp golden color, very little head or lacing. Malty slight hop aroma...kinda plain.
Taste is very malty for an IPA...but it is an English IPA, so malts are expected. Just an average brew accross the board. Nothing amazing, but its a Canadian staple. So have one while up north, otherwise im sure there are better brews around.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2012 00:25:20 | More by DrinkSlurm

atigerlife

Hawaii

2.73/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear light golden. Small amounts of carbonation rising. Fluffy white head with decent lacing. The most striking thing is the clearness.

Aroma of sweet hops, corn....light

Taste is fruity, clean, crisp. More like a Euro lager than an IPA. So, don't buy this expecting an IPA.

Mouthfeel is light.

Overall, it is OK. Not an IPA, but it is drinkable, sessionable. So, set your expectations low and non-IPA and you should survive the experience.

Serving type: can

05-27-2012 21:11:31 | More by atigerlife

M_fasanella

3.25/5  rDev +22.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer is a very canadian beer, and being canadian i love it. However it is not for everyone, it is defiantly not a crapy beer, but I would not say it's an amazing beer.

Overall, on a nice hot sunny day, or after hockey, this beer is great, always have some in my fridge!

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2012 00:29:09 | More by M_fasanella

rinhaak

Massachusetts

1.78/5  rDev -33.1%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

I hate to sound crass, but I couldn't have been more disappointed. This is glorified piss beer. Pours extremely pale with a weak head. There is a very, very faint hop aroma buried in the background. Almost no real flavor except from a mild hoppiness.

Not worth anyone's time or calories.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2012 03:17:40 | More by rinhaak

Stocean1

Ontario (Canada)

3/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Very light amber in color this poured a two finger frothy head with some lacing and decent retention, I was left with a thin collar of fine suds

Smell is light biscuit, some adjunct, faint whiff of citrus

In the taste, biscuit, faint grassy hops and orange peel and banana again.

Light to medium bodied with plenty of carbonation, this brew has a little snap of bitterness in the finish. Relatively easy drinking.

Decent Macro but not much of an IPA

Serving type: on-tap

03-02-2012 10:44:18 | More by Stocean1

nickfl

Florida

2.03/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 1.5

A - poured with half a finger of white foam on top of a clear, golden body. The head settles rapidly and leaves light lace.

S - grainy malt and a hint of herbal hops.

T - some sweet malt up front with a hint of honey. Some grainy notes in the middle and a bready finish with light bitterness.

M - medium body, moderately low carbonation, and a sweet finish.

D - kind of odd to call this an IPA. It has little bitterness and virtually no hop charter. A blonde perhaps, or even a european light lager, but certainly not an ipa. Light, sweet, drinkable and thoroughly bland.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 00:08:14 | More by nickfl

kristiekatk

Massachusetts

1.88/5  rDev -29.3%
look: 1.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

My friend brought me two Alexander Keiths back from Canada a few weeks ago. There’s an epic stag head on the label. A crisp and clean aroma. My expectations were high.

Why are you called an IPA? Whhhyyy? The SLIGHT hop bitterness and the low ABV puts it somewhere in betweena crummy English IPA or a very weak blonde/golden ale. It is fairly watery with a dry finish; rounding itself off with a welcoming aftertaste of something resembling astringent. Damn you Canada with your “oldest North American brewery” which is really just a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 03:46:51 | More by kristiekatk

mmmbeer

Massachusetts

2.17/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

473 mL can with some code on the bottom; served in its namesake glass. Pours a brilliantly clear gold, with high carbonation and a half-inch white head that leaves a bit of lace. Smells of sweet doughy malt and corn, with a dash of herbal hops that go piney and citric as it warms. Very clean entry on the palate, with grainy/sweet malts and a few esters. Nearly devoid of hops, and carbonation is the main flavor here. Very light and crisp, with lots of carbonation and a short finish. Definitely mislabeled by today's standards, but I'm not sure this would have been considered an IPA even fifty years ago. However, if you go into it thinking "regional macrobrew" (think Pabst or Narragansett), then it's not too bad.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 01:40:34 | More by mmmbeer

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

2.48/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

473ml Can

Appearance - The beer pours a clear golden yellow colour with a small fizzy white head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing. There is some faint lacing on the sides of the glass. The head lasted for only a few minutes before it was gone.

Smell - corn syrup, breads/grains, malts

Taste & Mouth - The beer has an average amount of carbonation and I can taste corn syrup, breads/grains and some light malts. It ends with a grainy slightly bitter aftertaste

Overall - I really don't understand why so many people in my area buy this beer. Perhaps I would enjoy it more if they stopped calling it an 'India Pale Ale'. There are lots of better choices - even for an adjunct.

Serving type: can

10-11-2011 17:45:13 | More by spinrsx

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

2.13/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Mom felt the need to get a two-four at duty free for some reason.

A - Pours your typical light golden colour with a single finger of white head. Light carbonation. Bright. Head fizzled away pretty quick to a film and no lace.

S - Corny, grainy, sugary. Ick.

T - fairly boring with corny, grainy, sweet notes. Nothing really to be interested in. Very mild with lot's of plain grain.

M - Decent carbonation, light body, really sweet grainy finish.

O/D - Keith's what's more to say. How they call this an IPA is beyone me. Not worth the time.

Serving type: can

10-02-2011 23:48:33 | More by tbeckett