Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA - Great Lakes Brewing Company

kels

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Grabbed this on tap at Fries last night.

Appearance: Pours a bright apricot, completely clear, with light carbonation running throughout. The 1 1/2 finger white head fades to a skim after the first sip, and sticky foam lacing hangs down the glass.

Smell: Light aromas of citrus and pine combine with a pleasantly chewy and toasty grain. Not strong, but still bigger than the aroma of most GLBC beers.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Taste is pretty toasty and bright with lots of pithy, bitter citrus rind and some pine sap. Light herbal grassiness appears in the aftertaste, along with a little sharpness from the alcohol. Feel is bright and filling and ends with a filmy stickiness.

Drinkability: Fairly drinkable, especially if you go for sticky IPAs.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2009 00:47:11 | More by kels

TheNightbird

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Bright copper color, with a slight rocky head.

S- Strong but not pungent hops, mixed with a nice grapefruit aroma. Malt aromas are in the background aroma.

T- The bitterness and the grapefruit is upfront. Followed up by fruitiness and a malt.

M- Medium body that has a nice carbonation.

D- Alright drinkability, due to the bitterness. I have had no problem pounding through a sixer. Is a great summertime beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2009 21:20:46 | More by TheNightbird

HopDerek

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Pizza Plant 5/25/08

Poured a clear golden amber with 1 finger of creamy white head, nice retention and sticky lacing. Smells of honey, grass, and citrus. Tastes of grass, honey, toasted grain, and grapes with an earthy hop finish with a touch of lemon rind tartness. Medium in body with good carbonation, good balance and nice bitterness. Easy to drink with good flavors, another nice brew from Great Lakes.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2008 00:22:26 | More by HopDerek

bigdeuce

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I would like to know the IBU's on this one, oooh, found out, it's 80. This is a hoppy beer. Also has a nice malty backbone to counter the hops. Lingering bitterness, even after the first sip, a bit unbalanced, but IPA's probably should be. Nice rocky, creamy head with a mess of lacing down the glass. Tart and bitter grapefruit flavors singe through. An absolute great session brew.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2008 00:05:27 | More by bigdeuce

fireqc

Quebec (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Yes finally a good IPA!!! Don't be shy to make an IPA with hop! This one apply to Commodore Perri IPA.

I taste it in the bar and I bought a bottle (at the gift shop). I prefer on-tap.

I'm quite sure, all people who like IPA will enjoy this one with no doubt.

FIRE....

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2008 20:43:50 | More by fireqc

xzqrut

Ohio

3.8/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer pours out a nice rich golden color, lively carbonation. Beer gives a very nice 1" head, with excellent lacing all the way down. Smell seemed somewhat faint, but the taste had a nice strong hop finish. Mouthfeel was crisp, lively with the carbonation, very nice IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2007 01:09:59 | More by xzqrut

genog

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a bright orange color with some murkiness. Head was a nice creamy white color with great retention, but did not leave a great deal of lacing. Smell was a little lacking, but toward the end of the session I was able to pick out some floral aroma. Taste is mostly citrus and delicious. Somewhat of a watery oily mouthfeeling. I was actually able to taste more from the bottle than on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2007 02:59:55 | More by genog

Risser09

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Named after the famous man who captained many fighter boats at a YOUNG age, this beer is filled with lore surrounding the Great Lakes region. Let's give it a try, shall we?
Appearance: Golden orange in color, with an off-white head that leaves plenty of lacing behind. There is little sign of carbonation from the bottom of the glass.
Smell: Floral hop bouquet and lots of sweetness. Balanced with grapefruit and pine.
Taste: Piney hop bitterness folds into lavendar, honeysuckle and apple flavors. Sweet and also quite bitter. Complex and enjoyable.
Mouthfeel: Bitter all the way through. Pleasant to the mouth, leaving a drying effect. Alcohol is present and welcomed. Nice example of what this style should be.
Drinkability: Awesome. Great hop bitterness would stand up to some spicy asian food or raw fish. Worth seeking out at least for a try.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2007 17:41:16 | More by Risser09

athensbeermaster

Georgia

2.85/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I tried this ipa at great lakes pub. I don't know if the pint I got was the end of the keg? Because this beer was a big dissapointment.
almost no head retention,very pale in color, and not very hoppy or complex. I tried this same beer in the bottle a day before and it was a better version but still nothing to rave about. I like there burning river much better! Kinda like Sierra Nevada a great pale ale
but there ipa is nothing special. oh well.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2007 21:50:17 | More by athensbeermaster

Slar211

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on draft from the B-Side Liquor Lounge on Coventry, Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Appearance: Golden amber with a thick white head and nice lacing.

Smell: Citrus hop smell, like oranges or grapefruits.

Taste: Thick, zesty hops with some spicy-sweet hints.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and creamy with a smooth, dry finish.

Drinkability: Very drinkable, just mind the alcohol content.

Serving type: on-tap

07-08-2007 19:24:46 | More by Slar211

letsgopens

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This selection from one of my favorite breweries, Great Lakes, pours a semi-translucent orange gold with a clean white head that holds relatively well with a good amount of lace.

The aroma is primarily of citrus and hops. Bitter and bitey with a nice orange/lemon sweet and sourness that signifies a quality IPA.

Initially there is a nice bite that resonates with the aforementioned citrus, pine, and a bit of malt. Some really good hops in the finish accompanied by a bit of honey and spice.

A clean and crisp mouthfeel is a result of some tight carbonation and a refreshing smoothness in the finish. I try not to be bias, since I am such a fan of the brewery, but this is a really nice beer. Not the overall best from Great Lakes by any means, but really quality beer non-the-less.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2007 17:47:58 | More by letsgopens

jackorain

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on-tap at Durty Nellies outside of chicago.

A-poured a copper/amber color with a 1/2 inch head that stayed okay. It fell to thin lace and collar in about 3 minutes while I contemplated that A and S of this beer. Lacing was very good from the remaining collar.

S-Grapefruit pulp, pine hops and sugar syrup cooking on the stove. There is also a bread malt finish in the nose.

T-Grapefruit pulp hits right up front. Grapefruit bitterness comes in next, quickly. The sweet carmel and bready malts balance this beer out nicely. I would no say this beer is "balanced", but the balance is right for me, IOW, more hops than malt, but plenty of malts.

M-creamy, smooth, meduim body. Moderate carbonation does not ruin the smoothness. nice

D-very good drinkability, would be even higher if not the 8% ABV.

Overall-This is a really nice IPA, a fairly representative example of a quality midwest IPA. However, it is big at 8% and has quailities of DIPA, with the level of hop and malt presence.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2007 15:13:04 | More by jackorain

Zorro

California

4.43/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sampled at the Brewpub across from the brewery proper in Cleveland Ohio.

Looks good but not exceptional in the glass. A somewhat small white head crowns a lovely clear golden amber colored ale.

The scent is truly exceptional. Sweet and malty with a strong but not over powering C type hop aroma of pine needles and grapefruit. What sets this apart is that both the malt and hop aspects are balanced in a quite strong IPA without one overpowering the other.

The taste begins sweet and a little bready with a tasty clean and unmodified hop flavor from the very first taste. As you drink this the citrus, pine and refreshing bitter aftertaste get a little stronger but does not really change. This never gets bitter and it never numbs the tongue, this is all tasty hop flavors.

The Mouthfeel is good.


Oh yeah this is a strong IPA that I could drink all night except the alcohol level would put a stop to it a bit early. A VERY recommended ale!

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2007 04:21:55 | More by Zorro

kimcgolf

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is my favorite of the Great Lakes line so far. Poured to a golden orange, with medium white head that lingered well into the drink, and left good lacing up and down the glass. Aroma was immediately strong grassy hops, whcih set up well for the tingly bitter mouthfeel to follow. At mid-glass, the 7.5 abv made itself more known, blending perfectly with the hoppy-grassy flavor. This all led to a very pleasant bitter-dry finish.

Way to go on this one GL!!!

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2007 09:55:45 | More by kimcgolf

dherling

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured out a light yellow gold color crowned by a thin just off white head. The nose is sweet pink grapefruit pith backed by slight amount of hops. The taste was both malt sweet and hoppy bitter along with some slight sour citrus notes. Mouthfeel was medium bodied and medium carbonation. Was a very drinkable and fairly enjoyable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2007 18:54:47 | More by dherling

becktone

Ohio

4.18/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

On the back of a questionaire at the Great Lakes Brewpub:

A- Brownish gold in color, begins with a two finger head but receeds to a film due to what is most likely a dirty glass. Lacing also not very great due to the glass.

S- Floral and citrus, with some malt backbone under the hops-caramel. I perceive an overall sanitizer/cleanser aroma overall though, pretty much hides the aroma of the brew.

T- Floral hop flavor followed by a malt character which balances it out. In turn the malt flavor is followed by a lingering floral/citrus bitterness.

The beer is creamy in the mouth and has overall lower carbonation levels. It's got a medium-heavy body. This is an IPA I'll definitely buy again, I look forward to next spring/summer when it'll become part of the regular lineup...according to the website. Could drink it all night and would make a good session brew but for the 8%abv.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2006 22:57:27 | More by becktone

Bones54

Ohio

4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I was very excited to see that Great Lakes was bottling this brew this year- even though I had not had it yet! Well, this review is a bit delayed-since I had this brew the week of its release earlier in the year. Overall, this is a very fine IPA. It is a great session IPA. It is not to overpowering on the tastebuds, and the 8% is well hidden. Cheers to you Great Lakes on a great IPA!

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2006 04:51:26 | More by Bones54

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I don't know why they keep honouring people in a war they lost, but this is a winning IPA. Very good aroma, with C-hop, and smooth. Very nice orangey appearance. A touch of fruit. Had this on-tap at the brewery and its citrus aroma, and grapefruit appearance with white head were apparent. A solid IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2006 01:56:20 | More by northyorksammy

Illinick

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Another classic label from Great Lakes. They have found their creative niche and stick to it. A lovely honey-orange in color with a nice sized fizzy white head that retains excellently and leaves nice lacing throughout the duration.
S: Quite inviting with herbal and medicinal hop notes at first, followed by some citric acid and pulp notes, and some slight bread. The nose is dominated by differing hop notes and is quite nice and complex.
T: Delicous and again inviting. Bitter herbal and medicinal hops dominate at first with citrus note and some baked citrus fruit flavors. A nice bitterness is carried throughout that is just the right amount of puckering. Some bready malts peek through towards the middle to middle end, but they are quickly washed away with a slightly warming bitter hop ending. Well balanced and complex.
MF: Medium that finishes slightly warm and slightly dry.
Overall: There are a few breweries out there that never disappoint me. Great Lakes is at the top of that list. They always seem to impress and this brew does that and more. One of the best all around brews I have had in months and maybe one of the best this whole year! If you find it, buy it and enjoy.
P.S. My 100th review and what a way to celebrate!

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2006 16:15:53 | More by Illinick

doubleipa

Georgia

3.55/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had this on draft at the Winkin' Lizard. My ears still hurt. Aroma was light on the hops. No head or lacing. Dark yellow color. Hoppier flavor than what the aroma indicated. Nice long finish. Mouthfeel was kind of flat. Not bad, but nothing I would want to take back to Atlanta on the plane.

Serving type: on-tap

08-29-2006 20:16:59 | More by doubleipa

aaronh

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A bit less orange than the typical big IPA, this beer pours a nice golden-amber with a creamy white head. Big aroma of both citrus and malts, with a touch of caramel in there as well. The flavor is fantastic, with assertive bitterness, strong citrus notes, bready, biscuit maltiness and a touch of caramel sweetness. Big and assertive yet a ton of malt backbone to back it up. Mouthfeel is thick and rich, but finishes just a bit dry in the back of the throat. Drikability is fantastic, and I really can't believe this is an 8% ABV beer. Hides the alcohol really well. I am continually amazed that Great Lakes makes such a wide range of really solid offerings. As much as I like GLBC, this one caught me off guard. Nice.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2006 01:27:30 | More by aaronh

Bierguy5

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Boston's. I was very excited to see this brand new release on tap, as I stopped in for a beer. Pours a clear golden color with a slight orange tint. Thick white fluffy head has good retention. Citrusy and floral hop aroma. Soft caramel malt backbone, which holds its own, but does not become too sweet or cloying. Nice amount of bitterness, along with floral, and citrusy, mostly grapefruit flavors. Finishes very much in the floral flavors. Appropriate carbonation with a medium body. Tons of sticky patchwork lace coates the sides of the glass. Not overwhelming, and maybe even tame compared to Burning River. Malt and hops compliment each other here. While this may not be as exciting to a hophead as other IPAs, it is solid, and could easily be a good session beer. Another solid beer from Great Lakes.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2006 00:02:25 | More by Bierguy5

Backer2004

North Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

(part of a sampler at the Great Lakes brewpub)

For some reason, this one was not listed with the sampler but was brought out on its own anyway. I drank it after the Russian Imperial Stout, so I'm not sure how this affected my opinion. Good qualities, but nothing too special for an IPA. Pretty good head and carbonation, no lacing to speak of. Easy enough to drink but not the best choice for a session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2005 03:03:59 | More by Backer2004

mattcrill

Ohio

4.22/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the brewpub.

Appearance: Served in a standard pint glass. Cloudy light orange color fading to yellow with a sticky white cap. Leaves sticky white lacings all the way down the glass.

Smell: Light and refreshing hop leaf smell. Brushes of citrus hit the nose here and there.

Taste: Prickly hop bitterness with a wheaty malt base. Touches of orange and flowery hop notes pop up here and there. I found the hops and malt to be nicely balanced.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and prickly with carbonation bubbles bouncing on the palate.

Drinkability: Dangerous stuff (I think the brewery listed it at 8% abv) but I could quaff this all day long. Strongly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2005 00:09:23 | More by mattcrill

AtLagerHeads

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Just another day, another great beer at GLBC. Just back on tap in early August 2003, the old favorite Commodore Perry is here to please. Superb appearance and great smell of citrus fruits, flavors of citrus and rinds, what a fully hopped yet pleasing, not-over-the-top beer this is. Not yet available again in bottles, the publican explained that they're still wrangling with the State of Ohio over their label design. GLBC wants to stick with what they already have; Ohio says no. So if you want the great Commodore, head to their store in the Ohio City section of Cleveland.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2003 19:17:04 | More by AtLagerHeads