Boundary Bay IPA - Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro

mdaschaf

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Had on tap at Kates Pub.

A: Pours a slightly hazy amber color with a one finger, off-white head. Nice head retention with thin lacing, rather streaky down the sides.

S: A bit of orange upfront with some orange rind and grapefruit mixed with pine and a little bit of caramel malt.

T: Pretty well balanced, a good bit of orange and orange rind, a good bit of caramel malt in the middle. Has a slightly piney finish.

M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: A solid IPA, looking forward to trying their DIPA.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2013 15:44:17 | More by mdaschaf

Kastler

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First time having a Boundary Bay brew. Poured from a growler into a tall chilled glass.

Appearance - It has a darker look compared to most IPAs. A tiny bit cloudy, looks almost like honey.

Smell - A great sweet aroma. Almost smells like honey too.

Taste - I really admire the taste of this IPA. Very sweet yet maintaining that nutty English hop taste of IPAs.

Mouthfeel - Pretty typical feel. Wasn't overly carbonated and was pretty low viscosity.

Overall - I really like this beer and plan on trying some more Boundary Bay brews in the near future; especially since I am so close to Bellingham.

Serving type: growler

11-29-2012 03:40:08 | More by Kastler

RenzoD

Washington

3.83/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bought this in a bottle at Rivertooth Beer and Wine in Shelton, Wa at the bottom of the Puget Sound. The guy there told me that it was about as far south as this stuff regularly makes it so if you are looking for a bottle of it that is a good place.

-I loved the appearance of this beer. It was a bit darker than the I.P.A.s I am used to. The difference is good. A darker red color. It looks amazing. The head is so creamy looking that if you looked from above it looks like a root beer float or something. That head dissipates throughout the drink but makes a good lace down the glass throughout the whole session and still has a bit of that creamy top almost until the last drop.

-The smell is beautiful. Probably not much different than most of your hoppy IPA's of the Pacific Northwest, though I would say a bit sweeter of an aroma.

-Concerning taste I have read on other reviews of this beer that it isn't your typical Northwest IPA and I would agree to an extent and also add that that isn't a bad thing. It does have a slightly less hopped up finish with a sweet taste almost of nectar. However, it does have the bitter hops present that we all know and love and overall is incredibly tasty.

-An almost perfect mouth feel for my standards. Not to heavy, not too light, perfect carbonation throughout the entire beer including a bit of foam left from the head remaining until the bottom of the glass but not enough to be too much. Feels like an IPA should IMO.

Overall, I believe it to be a worthy beer. If you are making a decision between a few brews you have not had before then I would say to go ahead with this one. You won't be disappointed. I may not buy this specific brew again but it was my first beer from this brewery and i will definitely not pass up trying more of their beers after trying this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2012 14:37:01 | More by RenzoD

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

650ml bomber poured into tulip 7/9/12

A murky brownish orange quite dark for the style, cascading bubbles form a nice two finger dense cream colored foam that retains well leaving a couple partial rings of lace

S burnt brown sugars and sweet malts, soft caramels, with some candied pineapple, citrus and faint pine

T some orange marmalade on top of what I smell with some bready notes and faint booze, more sweet malts then hops with this one, some faint herbal hops as it warms

M fairly thick and a little syrupy, good carbonation and slightly sticky on the lips

O perhaps a little past its prime? the hops have faded I'm guessing but I don't see any bottling date so I'll never know for sure, OK but missing a little kick

still decent beer but I'm guessing it might be an old bottle as the caramels seem too be taking over, easy enough too drink but nothing spectacular

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 04:32:30 | More by wordemupg

jellikit

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a great IPA for those of you that have not tried it yet. Boundary Bay IPA is definitely well balanced. The hops compliment the malts, and there is a great balance with the ABV. If I remember correctly, it finished 8th in the nation, of over 350 breweries, in last years IPA contest.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2012 15:05:37 | More by jellikit

brentk56

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a hazy amber, with a sturdy head that hangs around and leaves a few dots and dashes behind

Smell: Rather balanced, with the caramel malt providing the backbone and the resinous/piney hops adding bitterness

Taste: The caramel provides the foundation and is nicely complemented by the resinous/piney hops which provide an orange marmalade aspect, as well; not much flavor progression - rather consistent from sip to swallow

Mouthfeel: Rather full bodied for the style, with moderate carbonation

Overall: This beer certainly exceeded my expectations; while it is not a classic Pacific NW IPA, it certainly is a tasty brew

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 23:13:22 | More by brentk56

draheim

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap into an American pint glass @ Greenlake Bar & Grill, Seattle.

Pours a slightly hazy copper color w/ a white head, adequate lacing.

Aroma is piney and floral hops, a little muted.

Taste is a combination of floral and piney hops, biscuity malt provides just enough backbone to showcase the hops. Nice and bitter on the finish.

Mouthfeel is crisp and clean with a sharp, refreshing finish.

Overall a solid IPA from a good brewery up north.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2012 03:25:26 | More by draheim

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Black Raven pint glass. Pours a medium coppery amber. Nice two finger off-white head with good retention and massive lacing. Aroma of citrus hops and sweet malt. A very mellow flavor profile, well blended citrus hops and sweet caramel malt. Nice citrusy, herbal bitter hops finish. Both the malt and hops are subdued for a West Coast IPA, but the flavors are quite pleasant. A nice medium bodied, almost creamy body. I would have probably been somewhat disappointed by the low key hops and malt individually, but the balance and overall flavor is so pleasant, I really enjoyed this local take on an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 04:17:44 | More by LiquidAmber

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.18/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into a Ping glass.

A - Pours a cloudy brownish-orange with a one finger tan head.

S - Citrus and carmel malts.

T - Orange, carmel-bready malts. The malts really dominate here.

D - Good carbonation, heavy body.

O - IPA? NW Standard? These are the things I heard about this one, and I didn't see it. The style is more English IPA, or East Coast. Very carmel malt dominated.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 04:20:53 | More by HuskyinPDX

CliffBrake

New Hampshire

4.05/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Coreylag for the bottle. Cheers!

Bright copper color with a two finger off-white head. Great retention and lacing.

Bright citrus and herbal aroma with a bit of caramel in the background. Flavor features juicy, orange hops that gives way to a herbal hops and caramel middle and an astringent bitter finish.

Medium to light body, juicy with a good carbonation. Refreshing and easy to drink. A nice example of a west coast IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 01:29:00 | More by CliffBrake

squidtrick

Washington

3.23/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Poured an amber orange, mostly clear. By the time it got to my table (sitting next to the bar) there was just a ring of white head left on the glass.
S: Some light citrus, mostly hops. But very pleasant.
T: Total letdown. It was hoppy (not overly so), but otherwise the favor profile was bland and muted.
M: Medium carbonation, full mouthfeel.
O: Definitely drinkable, but not great. Given a choice between this and another IPA I'd never heard of, I would go with the other one.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2012 21:59:33 | More by squidtrick

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.83/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bottle courtesy of Libby pours a light copper color with a fine-bubbled tan head. Not a whole lot of retention, but the lacing is quite nice.

Nose shows some candied caramel maltiness and a fruity hop/yeast component. Smells much more east coast than left.

Taste flashes a nice blast of resiny hop flavor right before some sweet malt with a light toffee edge to it. It finishes more smooth than bitter, but you can still tell there is plenty of drying hop presence. I like the back-and-forth hop/malt interplay it has going for it. And the carbonation is so fine it goes down really smooth. I still think it leans more east coast...and even though I prefer a lighter-bodied, more hop-flavor forward IPA, this one was quite enjoyable and I had no problem polishing off this bomber with the quickness!

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2012 01:39:48 | More by twiggamortis420

rmcnealy

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Got this one from a great east coast BA'er!

Poured a medium-dark amber that was partially translucent and appeared to be totally filtered. A small bone white head left leaving nothing more than a small ring around the glass. The smells has a hoppiness to them them but they weren't very robust. I think this one maybe past its prime and has a malty over tone. The tastes follow suit and although there is a nice bitter bite, the malts take precedence. With no bottling date, it's hard to trace its history. I could see this one being great when fresh. Perhaps in the future an updated review will be warranted.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2012 02:15:43 | More by rmcnealy

timtwoface

British Columbia (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I liked this IPA. It was about standard for what I'd come to expect for breweries in the Northwest - clean, crisp, nicely hopped, but the other flavours are tasty as well. Very acceptable pricepoint as well. It isn't a favourite of mine but it's definitely one I would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 02:45:11 | More by timtwoface

GRG1313

California

3.23/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewing this beer instead of using "Hads" so that it can achieve sufficient reviews for a grade.

Poured a very dark, lightly hazy amber orange with a short white head that faded fast.

Nose is typical for style with a nice ripe fresh pineapple character. Hints of orange marmalade in the nose; pleasant.

Mouthfeel is medium full and creamy. A bit too creamy and textured for an IPA in my opinion; little in the way of brightness; almost a little flabby in part.

Flavor profile is a "dull" burnt orange/burnt toast - pine character. Nice characters but a bit heavy and burdensome on the palate. A little more of a bright "fresh" character and this would be a real winner.

Finish follows flavor profile - a dull orange marmalade/pine bitter tone that is somewhat long lasting.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 01:53:52 | More by GRG1313

scootpolute

Washington

4.88/5  rDev +29.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Serving type: bottle
1 Pint, 6 FL OZ. bottle into tulip glass.

A - Pours semi-cloudy golden, with a nice white head...- some good lacing.

S - Hops and lots of sweet citrus - some orange & grapefruit tones...

T - Smooth & Bright! A great hop kick at the top, followed by some citrus, then ending with a bit of pine-like spices...Pleasant & refreshing!!

M - Good carbonation...There's a good fullness. Present, but not 'too' much fruity/sweet flavors...The final pine/spice balances the beer out wonderfully!

O - This one is great!! I think what make this beer so good is the fine line of not over-doing 'it' in any particular area (hops, fruity-flavor, pine/spice, carbonation, and last but not least, alcohol level). VERY refreshing and will get again and...…Goin’ to look for a tap ASAP!!!

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 00:22:32 | More by scootpolute

CapitalGains

Oregon

3.3/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. into a Deschutes imperial pint glass. Poured and tasted 12/15/11. No date on the bottle but I consumed within a week of purchase.

Starts with gradient of golden and amber hues and a resilient white head. Aroma isn't overly dominated by hops and has a present bready and caramel malt note to it. Taste is embodied by moderate amounts of tropical and piney hop bitterness with a solid balancing effort from the malt bill. I get a slight but strange mixture of oranges and band-aids on the finish. Mouthfeel is well balanced; not too thick or thin with a good residual lacing in the glass and a dry finish.

On the whole this was an enjoyable, run-of-the-mill IPA. Balance would probably be the best adjective I could use to describe this beer, as nothing stood out but nothing was really flawed either. I had this on cask while visiting Redmond and remembered it being quite good as well. I don't recall the exact price for the bomber, but I believe it was around $4.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 05:12:36 | More by CapitalGains

fain12

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

drinking it now at the eastside in olympia. Definitely more bitter than hoppy, little to no aroma. Leaves a crystalline lace in the glass which makes me think the water might be hard. Overall, its what I would expect from a west coast ipa made in a classic british fashion. Not bad but doesn't impress either.

Serving type: on-tap

09-13-2011 04:34:58 | More by fain12

distantmantra

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22 oz. bomber poured into a straight pint glass.

A: The beer poured a hazy gold color with a small head of white creamy foam. Minimal lacing was present throughout.

S: Aromas of lemon, pine and caramel malt were present as well as a slightly funky Belgian yeast smell.

T: This is a very hop forward beer as flavors of bitter hops, and grapefruit are totally in charge here. However, just as was noticed in the scent, there is a funky yeast flavor lingering in the background.

M: Medium carbonation with a crisp mouth feel. There was a slightly bitter aftertaste.

O: This was a nice IPA but I wonder if the funky yeast flavor was supposed to be there... I guess I'll have to try it again.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2011 23:40:48 | More by distantmantra

CBlack85

South Carolina

3.73/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Beertunes for this one.

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a DFH shaped pint glass.

The beer pours a crystal clear copper color with about two fingers worth of off white head that recedes quickly leaving behind lots of sticky lacing.

Sweet with lots of caramel notes. The hops do not boast as big a presence as I would like, there is a nice piney aroma, with a much smaller citrusy aroma as well.

The hops are much more present in the flavor than in the nose. Really quite a nice flavor; big piney and citrusy hop character with a sweet, grainy malt backbone to balance it out. Moderately bitter, with lots of hop flavor. Medium bodied and moderately carbonated. This seems to be a well constructed IPA.

Overall, this is a good beer, maybe not quite a great beer, but very solid. Rather enjoyable

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 21:40:01 | More by CBlack85

doughanson78

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz. bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Copper in color, doesn't change when held to light. Clear with a VERY slight haze. Two finger very rocky, slightly off white head, that has awesome retention and lacing.

S: Not as hoppy as I was hoping for. Sweet caramel malts with an underlying floral aroma. Grainy. Very light citrus and pine. A different kind of ashy aroma.

T: Caramel upfront. Mild to medium bitterness the rest of the way, leaning towards the floral. Very grainy notes throughout. Lightly nutty. Lingering bitterness.

M: Thick for an IPA (which I don't know if I like). Creamy. Lightly carbonated. Dry finish.

O: Had some high hopes for this one. Was a little disappointed. Not as hoppy as I was hoping but wasn't smothered in maltiness either.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 06:03:45 | More by doughanson78

Docer

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From a 22oz bottle, stated as 6.4% Alc. by Vol.

Appearance: (4.0)
- This beer has the standard clear new copper penny color. A quickly fizzling finger of head has left a thin spotty later on top, and creamy lacing above a large ring of creamy foam.

Smell: (4.0)
- A rather sweet and fruity caramel malt base. Husky grains, and sugars. Very floral and citrus hops in the nose. Light pine exists as well. Overall sweet, fruity, and caramel.

Taste: (4.5)
- This is a good IPA. Wonderful smooth caramel malt flavor up front, then the hop bitterness hits along with a husky grainy and bready character. The finish is more bitter pine hops with a great blend of both citrus and floral character. Very balanced and tasty.

Mouth Feel: (4.5)
- This is a medium bodied brew... yet full bodied, which doesn't mean thick and oily. It is very drying from the bitterness which is as it should be. The sweetness keeps the palate going while not leaving this beer very chewy or sticky. Overall impressive.

Overall: (4.5)
- This is a truly great IPA. Perfect carbonation, bitterness, sweetness, and balance without any off flavors to boot. They did a very good job bottling this beer, and were able to maintain a fantastic balance. This beer is a must have.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2011 01:59:45 | More by Docer

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

3.55/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Cloudy amber with no head.

S: Citrus and floral hops.

T: Floral hops, malt, as well as a slight nutty taste.

M: Thick viscosity but next to no carbonation.

O: Good tasting IPA, but was lacking in mouthfeel and carbonation. This could be due to the cask that I sampled from, however.

Serving type: cask

06-26-2011 05:56:38 | More by DaftCaskBC