IPA - Lakefront Brewery, Inc.

chilidog

Ohio

3.19/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Perhaps my bottle from the sample pack was not up to snuff.
My iPa was bland, not iPa like at all compared to other reviews.

It poured ok, nice amber color, no big head just tan , not much other than spotted lace.

Aroma of pine, citric hop though mild.

Taste bland for an iPa. No big hop bite but rather malty and thin.

Overall if I can find another single or even on tap I'll try again but based on what I've had, not buying 6 of these.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 22:56:08 | More by chilidog

ubenumber2

Arkansas

4.46/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz bottle in to pub glass , kind of a hard pour but only got a 1 finger head that disapeared pretty quick. Minimal to no lacing. A nice yellowish copper color

Sweet hoppy smell , not much malt in the smell , just about perfect for this style

The mouth on this beer is a little heavy for the style , but with just enough carbonation for it to really be a homerun

The taste is hops and more hops. Not too citrusy not too earthy , starts off hoppy , ends hoppy with just the right amount of hops in the taste

Overall this beer is a really good example of an American IPA , lots of the flavor profiles of hopslam or two hearted in my opinion , call me crazy but I taste it in there

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 14:38:04 | More by ubenumber2

WanderingFool

Massachusetts

3.49/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Lakefront IPA pours a hazy amber color into the glass with a moderate, rocky head on top. The foam dissolves slowly leaving behind a netted pattern of lace on the glass.

The aroma is very faint, but I detect some citrus, pine and caramel malt.

Each sip of this medium bodied beer is smooth with mild carbonation. The flavor leans more to the sweet malty side than the bitter hop side. It starts with sweet caramel malt and a little bready pale malt flavor. Towards the end the bitter hops move in with some grapefruit citrus, pine and a hint of pepper. The bitter finish and some of the sweet malt flavor lingers after each sip.

This is a very easy drinking beer with a great mouthfeel. I almost thought it was a session beer until I saw that it's nearly 7% abv. However, for an IPA I thought the hops would be more pronounced. This review is based on a bottle that is 8 weeks old and was stored in refrigeration.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 16:12:02 | More by WanderingFool

alex_hart

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

appearance: rusted orange with very minimal head upon an aggresive pour and no lacing at all.

smell: piney hops, grapefruit, citrus, with the bitterness really being upfront.

taste: follows the nose but in a more subtle and subdued way. Really blends together nicely to have a nice crisp, bitter bite to it in a very refreshing way.

mouthfeel: as was said before, crisp and clean. smooth with good carbonation and medium body. very enjoyable.

overall: a good IPA overall. good representation of the style

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 03:25:06 | More by alex_hart

Mojo

Alabama

4.3/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12 ounce bottle -> World Market tulip glass

This beer pours up a very hazy apricot color with a minimal head, no retention, but some lacing left behind. Nose is citrus, pine, and biscuit. Taste is very citrus grapefruit, with a powerful spicy hop finish. Mouthfeel is kind of spicy and nice. Pretty good beer that I can recommend.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 01:35:47 | More by Mojo

joeseppy

Illinois

4.21/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I'm always looking forward to a well touted IPA. Freshest I can find right now is Nov 2012.
Pours a wonderful Baltic Sea amber stone color with moderate white foamy head.

Aroma of mild floral hop and moderate sweet malt.

Initial flavor of earthy hop bitterness and minimal malt. A lot of white grapefruit rind. A straight forward and assertive bitterness.

Very drinkable but no sticky mouthfeel, glass retains no lacing, whaaa...

Well, nothing exciting here for me, just a bitter IPA. I bought this on the hype and glad I did try this though. At this price $9.99, there are better. Maybe I've been drinking too many Sucks lately also at the same price. If I can get this REALLY FRESH maybe I'll try this again.

Update 04.06.13...much better fresh. Enjoying a few here on a warm spring day outside. Easy drinking and satisfying. Getting more tropical fruits. This will be in my summer rotation. Remember to check your dates before you buy.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 03:49:04 | More by joeseppy

GoldHorde

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +26.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

LAKEFRONT IPA India Pale Ale / Lakefront Brewery

AROMA: Floral herbal with citrus – mellow, not a slap

COLOR: Amber haze

HEAD: Thin but lasting with lace (in style)

FLAVOR: Follows aroma prediction perfectly

MOUTHFEEL: Heavier malty body than expected – a welcome surprise.

An EXCELLENT IPA offering here from Lakefront Brewers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. An IPA of a very mature and a very solid character that is totally loyal to the categorical style of India Pale Ale. Everything you expect – with NO surprise. This IPA is ready to be served proudly in the kind of eating establishments that have wait staff captains, white tablecloths, silver and tables leased to motivated waiters...say a place like Nick's Fishmarket in Chicago.

If ANY of your friends OR you yourself – want to know where the core of the IPA style is – this offering is THE definition of an India Pale Ale. Keep this beer on your list to remind yourself of what a great IPA really is and where the center of an IPA's strengths really are.

Nice job Lakeland!

...too bad you're in Packer territory.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 06:20:26 | More by GoldHorde

nickapalooza86

Wisconsin

4.95/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Well time to review one of my favorite IPAs, do not know why I did not yet....

Pours darker then most IPA's, if I had to describe it as a light amber with a moderate haze

Smell is grapefruit, citrus, a little pine and light sweet malt

Tasts is where this beer pulls ahead of most IPAs for me it is everything you want, starts out with a bitter sweetness that quickly unfolds into big citrus fruits, grapefuit and orange mostly then heads down the road to bitter dry piney finish, really world class IMO.

Mouthfeel is medium and a we bit sticky, nice drying finish... perfect

Great IPA do not understand how his is only a 88/100 but I guess to each his own!

Bottled 12/27/2012 Have had this at a lot of different "ages" does not really change much untill about 3 months out so if you see it around and it is under 3 months grab it up!

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 22:21:10 | More by nickapalooza86

smakawhat

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from the bottle into a Dogfish Ale House glass. Bottled November 1st 2012. Kinda borderline we shall see how she goes.

A nice simple golden light amber, with some slight haze, but real nice light faint carbonation. Head forms with off tan color, hinting at light brown and two fingers. Settles to a good 4mm puck. Fairly decent looking.

Nose is a nice balance of malt and hops, makes me wonder how this would be fresh. Mellow chewy dense green leaf hop, a hint of sweet orange and good dense malt. Real inviting.

Chewy palate in the feel. A great sense of biting fleshy tones of hop earth and light sweet malts. Subdued caramel, and chewy almost dense biscuit earth and hits of fruity character hop. Perhaps hinting tropical, even with a little bit of banana strangely.

Overall even this far past bottling this brew is still excelling. I also like it's subdued character even. Real tasty would have this over many other IPAs if given the choice.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 20:44:08 | More by smakawhat

Ri0

Wisconsin

4.21/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle poured into my Duvel tulip.

A -Dark copper/orange with a nice full 2 finger head that diminishes into a frothy ring around my tulip. Some lacing remains.

S - I get some citrus and orange with pine and floral hop mix. Smells pretty good, but not in your face with hops.

T - Taste is a very nice orange and citrus flavor up front with some bitter pine. Middle has a nice caramel malt with a touch of honey. Finish is a bitter pine that leaves your mouth dry. Not super hoppy which is what I prefer.

M - Medium carbonation with a slick oily hop residue that leaves your mouth dry on the finish.

O - I really like this offering from Lakefront and feel that it is a balanced IPA that leans towards the citrus first then bitter style. This is just one week old and really tasty.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 20:46:23 | More by Ri0

t2thebro

Iowa

4.71/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle

A- pours a nice white head, that slowly dissipates into a film that creates sticky lacing.
A deep honey color with a slightly hazy body.

S- fresh citrus hops, tones of lemongrass, light tabacco, hints of apricot and peach, a very sweet earthiness. Maybe a slight biscuit malt smell but mostly dominated by hops.

T- sweet lemongrass, and a Perfect amount of alcohol to start. Finishes dry with a earthy finish. Slight bitterness at the end, with the sweet lemongrass biscuit aftertaste lingering.

M- light to medium carbonation, a bit thicker than most but finishes nice and dry. Full bodied and refreshing. In one word, smooth.

O- spectacular balance in all elements. This brew should be double the price for its quality and complexity. Perfect amount of alcohol is the strong point. Most IPA's drown out the alcohol with harsh bitterness. This brew lets you taste it and complements it with sweet biscuit and hop flavors. Truly a gem in the ipa market.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 20:22:04 | More by t2thebro

denver10

Colorado

3.23/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a firey orange golden with a white head. Aroma was biscuit and orange, lot of rind and some of the fruity sugars. Flavor was bright orange, again lots of rind with some of the fruit sugars thrown in, all on top of a biscuit malt underbelly. Active, medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, an alright brew. Easy to to drink but not one I plan on drinking again.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 16:42:42 | More by denver10

Twincrasher

4.88/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: Great head retention. Really nice color

S: Extremely floral. Not a big bitter hop smell typical of IPA.

T: Very complex and big taste without overhopped flavor found in many of this type.

M: Very smooth finish for an IPA.

O: Excellent IPA. My favorite.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 14:16:22 | More by Twincrasher

MadScientist

New York

3.63/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: A hazy medium copper with lots of orange. The head is persistant and off-white with rocky bubble forming a thin cap and leaving lacing on the glass.

S: A moderately citrus hops aroma with mostly a lemon-lime like scent. The malt aroma is very enticing, it's biscuity and a little sweet. It smells like I've got an older bottle where the hops have faded but it's not too old. There is a moderately-low alcohol aroma and a light fruity ester.

T: A strong citrus hops flavor and moderately strong hops bitterness. There is a moderate caramel and light biscuit malt flavors with only a light sweetness up front. A low orange-like fruit ester. The finish is dry and the aftertaste is of citrus and hops bitterness.

M: A creamy medium-light bodied beer with moderately-strong carbonation. No astringency. A light alcohol warmth.

O: A good IPA that might be great if fresh and I'll keep my eyes open for a recently delivered bottle. What I have in front of me have a decent balance but I want brighter and stronger hops aroma and flavor but the balance between malt and bitterness is right where it should be to make and bitter beer that allows you to enjoy several. It's not the IPA I'd want to buy if zombie apocalypse is about to start.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 23:48:06 | More by MadScientist

BB1313

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled on month and week notched on label. 12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. Pours a murky hazy golden with a decent white head that sticks around and leaves great lacing and has nice retention. There is sediment/floaties as well. The aromas are nice, but somewhat faint. I'm picking up some candied tangerines and some orange peel. There's a touch of pine and alot of caramel malts. The flavors aren't extremely flavorful, but very crisp and bitter. There's a burst of citrus and pine. The malts seems to disappear in the flavors. Very refreshing. The carbonation is very active, giving the beer life. It's on the lighter side of medium-bodied. Alcohol goes unnoticed.

This might not be the most exciting IPA, but it's extremely well crafted. Very sharp, crisp and refreshing. It personally reminded me of Finest Kind and Bengali Tiger, but even better.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 23:44:24 | More by BB1313

CurtisPeacock

4.3/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I recently became infatuated with IPAs. Definitely a hop-head after trying my first IPA. So, in search of the best IPA I've been trying a bunch of different brands. Lakefront IPA is up there on my list and I would recommend this beer to someone looking for an IPA.

Appearance: Pours a medium copper color, almost an orange. Nice amount of off white head and light lacing.

Smell: A strong citrus smell with a nice amount of hop bitterness to it.

Taste: Just the right amount of bitterness to the taste. I'm very picky when it comes to being overly bitter and not bitter enough. Lakefront hits that sweet spot right on. It also has a nice hint of grapefruit to add complexity.

Mouthfeel: Medium mouthfeel with a smooth finish.

Overall: This has become one of my favorite IPAs. When visiting a bar I will usually order this beer if I'm in the mood for an IPA unless there is a brand I haven't tried yet. I would suggest every hop-head try this beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 19:52:44 | More by CurtisPeacock

phiberoptik

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottled August 1st Week - Pours a clear, light copper with a soapy white head that dissipates rather quickly into some residual bubbles around the edges.

Tropical fruit right up front with some caramelly sweetness. Pineapple and mango with a dank resin aroma behind it. Hints of bitter grapefruit pith and malted grain.

The sweetness and tropical fruit really come through up front with a dank, slightly bitter finish. Mango is the winner. This drinks much more like a pale ale though. I am not seeing IPA characteristics but I DO like the flavors that are coming through.

Slightly thin with a lighter body than expected. Great carbonation level though that really comes across the tongue.

This is a tasty brew for those lighting the fruity notes of hops. I wanted a bit more body, but this is enjoyable as a pale ale IMO.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 00:48:55 | More by phiberoptik

riversider76

New York

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours orange with some amber hues. Fluffy off white long lasting head, with lots of lace. Nose is of grassy, citrus hops. Body is medium with a good amount of carbonation. Taste is of juicy citrus. Hints of pine, and notes of malts in the finish. Very,very nice!

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 23:41:52 | More by riversider76

UCLABrewN84

California

3.95/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottled 12/2011.

Pours a murky dark orange with a 1 inch foamy orange-white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of citrus fruit, citrus zest, and some herbal hop aromas. Taste is of citrus zest, herbal hops, and some floral flavors up front with a malt finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and drinkable even though it's around 8 months old at this point.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2012 02:46:34 | More by UCLABrewN84

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This poured out as a nice looking copper colored beer, the head was big and white. The lacing on it was very nice also. The smell of the beer has a good hop presence to it as well as some nice malts in there too. The taste of the beer isn't quite as hoppy as I expected it to be. The mouthfeel was medium bodied and smoothin the finish. Overall this beer was quite tasty, glad I was able to try it. I would enjoy this beer again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2012 03:13:26 | More by Knapp85

Strix

Wisconsin

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Orange-amber, nice head, pretty good lacing.

Pine and citrus predominant smells.

Pine notes predominate, a bit of citrus rind, and a decent malt backbone.

Medium-creamy mouthfeel and carbonation.

Middle-upper end IPA, certainly satisfying, but nothing particular stood out for me.

Serving type: on-tap

08-02-2012 06:23:14 | More by Strix

robboyd

Indiana

4.23/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Nice and balanced IPA. Looks great, perfectly amber with a nice fluffy head and strong lacing. Smell is super citrusy. It smells like a grapefruit with honey sprinkled over it, which was something my dad ate for breakfast when I was growing up.

Taste is delicious as well. This could easily become my everyday drinking IPA. Strong hops and citrus, especially grapefruit, like the nose. It has an underlying sweet maltiness that balances it perfectly and is overcome by the hops for a semi-dry finish.

Overall, I'm surprised this beer isn't rated higher on the average. It's truly a great beer and one I'm happy to have finally pulled the trigger on.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 23:28:52 | More by robboyd

Kendo

New York

3.85/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle says it was bottled in the first week of June. Consumed on July 23, 2012.

A: Body is amber-orange with a small whitish head. Some lacing.

S: Not terribly strong in the nose - a touch of hops (citrusy) over some sweet malt. Slight spiciness too.

T: Follows the nose, more or less, though there's more malt sweetness than expected, leading me to the fleeting thought that this is more like an English IPA than an American-style IPA. Honey sweetness up front is followed by citrusy hops. Finishes with a lingering dry hoppy bitterness.

M: Medium in heft, slightly creamy feel. Modest resiny feel to it.

O: Decent. Not great - a little too sweet for my IPA preference, but good stuff overall. Lingering bitterness redeems it a little.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 00:59:48 | More by Kendo

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Black Raven pint glass. Pours a medium to dark, slightly cloudy orange amber. Nice two finger off white head that was continually refreshed by carbonation; massive lacing. Looks great. Intense aroma, noticeable at arms length, of piney hops and grapefruit. Flavor is light sweet malt with pine and citrus hops that are not as strong as the aroma suggested. Pleasant hop bitterness in the finish. Medium bodied. A nicely balanced IPA that is not quite as intense as the Northwest versions I've become accustomed to. Well made and a pleasant change of pace.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2012 03:27:26 | More by LiquidAmber

budgood1

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

pours out a cloudy and hazed copper colour with a meringue like taupe head. tons of lace. aroma runs herbal and medicinal...piney and woody with resin notes. just a touch of grapefruit rind amke this a nice smeller. the flavour profile has some more herbal elements, agressively hopped, not too bitter with a nice foundation of caramel and toffee like maltiness that lets the hop bill act as a nice balance rather than overwhelming things. this a bigger IPA that has some boozy notes, but overall tastes nice enough. lakefront IPA has a well rounded body with a unique texture in the mouthfeel that is thick and creamy. definitley some girth to this one. drinkability is quite afffable.

overall a pleasant and again different version of the IPA style. not a hop monster, a little boozy, and the overall texture is certainly unique. i would revisit this and is recommended for consumption.

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2012 22:33:14 | More by budgood1