Brockton IPA - Granville Island Brewery

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

2.75/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12oz Bottle from the Ottawa LCBO for 2$

Appearance - Clear amber/copper colour with an average size fizzy/frothy off-white coloured head. There a low amount of carbonation and there is some decent lacing. The head lasted for 4-5 minutes.

Smell - Malts, hops, caramel/toffee

Taste & Mouth - There is a below average amount of carbonation and I can taste hops and malts mixed with toffee/caramel. There is also a rustiness and a bit of nutiness. It ends with a caramel/toffee sweet aftertaste.

Overall - It smelled fairly decent, but the taste is disappointing. There is a slight stale/rusty flavour that really ruins it. It also needs more carbonation to make it seem less watery. I wouldn't buy this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2012 00:46:06 | More by spinrsx

TheHammer

Ontario (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 1.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: That's awfully clear for an IPA and not a lot of head either as I barely got half a finger. It didn't stick around, it didn't lace and there isn't a lot of carbonation present in the body.

Smell: Let me stress that there isn't anything bad here, it's just run of the mill. Fairly simple grassy hops to a backing of malt. This pretty much smells like a mild run of the mill IPA, if not a strong pale ale.

Taste: Now this is the hop level I would like to see IPAs stay around. The caramel malt accented by grassy hops starts out this beer and then slowly adds more and more floral hop character that eventually ends after it has just barely subdued the malt entirely, but still allows that caramel taste to remain.

Mouthfeel: It falls flat fairly quickly, and the lack of head does not impress. However the excellent transitioning and the fact that the hop oil aftertaste doesn't seem to become noticeable until the end of the beer seem to make up for it. It has a pleasant flower and grass aftertaste.

Drinkability: I had not issues getting this down, but more then one or two would be too many as the hop oil does build near the end. Fairly light, and the low carbonation helps keep it mild and seems to aid the malt more then the hops, which I like.

Final Thoughts: After two mediocre brews from Granville in my Granville/Creemore mixpack (I'm still a little ticked that my English bay pale ale review seems to have vanished..oh well) I really was expecting just another hopped to high heaven IPA with no other elements to the drink. Well was surprised and this is probably the first IPA I can say that I would want to have again. That being said, hop heads are not going to enjoy it.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 02:09:24 | More by TheHammer

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

3.48/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

341 mL bottle from the LCBO (via Molson's hand-picked 6 sampler). I wasn't terribly impressed with Granville's pale ale, but as a major hophead, this one looks like it might be a bit more interesting.

Pours a clear, golden-amber colour, topped with one finger of dense, creamy, off-white coloured head that sticks around for a good long while. Like all good things, however, it eventually comes to an end, leaving behind a smooth cap and silky collar, as well as rings of lacing. The aroma is clean, with a modest splash of citrus, pine sap, floral hops and caramel. Not bad, but not particularly enticing for an IPA.

The taste is actually quite decent, but (as with the pale ale) it seems more English than American to me. While there isn't exactly a shortage of hop flavour, it tends toward a more earthy, floral dryness, with only some slight piney citrus notes. This is balanced with a backbone of bready malts, caramel and honey. The finish is on the dry side, and the aftertaste doesn't linger long. Medium-bodied, with a smooth mouthfeel and fairly mild carbonation. Leaves some stickiness on the palate, but not an especially persistent presence. Pretty drinkable as far as IPAs go.

This would actually make for a decent session brew, but it's not an especially interesting IPA, and I doubt most American-style IPA fans would be all that impressed with this. More of an EIPA or APA in terms of hop profile, but a decent brew regardless of the category, and probably the best Granville brew in this sampler.

Final Grade: 3.48, a B-. Granville Island's Brockton IPA won't leave any beer geeks astounded - it's a straightforward, balanced, relatively sessionable ale, with a mild hop bite that is unlikely to endear itself to many hopheads. I don't mean to be too critical - this is an enjoyable brew that I wouldn't mind trying again - but a repeat purchase is not a priority. A solid effort, and worth a try, but in the end it's nothing special.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 06:34:11 | More by thehyperduck

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

3.35/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a surprisingly small head. Colour is a medium auburn brown.

Smell is light on hops. Somewhat vegetal and grainy, with a sweet element.

Taste initially is of a quite light sessionable hop bitterness. A touch of dark sugar sweetness comes later with bread and light hop notes.

Mouthfeel is initially dominated by carbonation. Medium bodied, with a decent hop body to it. Texturally not a ton else interesting.

Its a nice drinkable IPA, certainly more lightly hopped than quite a few examples I've had. Otherwise not a ton else to distinguish it in its field.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 00:17:53 | More by mick303

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

3.18/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Single bottle from a mixed pack alongside some Granville and Creemore brews.

Poured into a nonic glass. Light amber brew, clear, with a head of large bubbles that quickly recedes into a fine ring.

Sweet smelling, much more akin to an ESB or even an English Pale. Some hop bitterness, a touch of citrus.

Tastes fine, I'll grant you, but a far cry from a West Coast IPA. The hops just aren't there, and with that sweet malt character that more befits a cream ale than an IPA.

Thin bodied, decent carbonation.

A miss for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 17:45:55 | More by JohnnyBarman

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pale amber-orange, one finger off white head, decent amount of lace. Smell is fruity and malty, some sweet bready malts, well hopped, a bit of earthy citrus. Taste is sweet and malty upfront that goes into a decent bitterness, some piney and earthy hops, sweetness in the finish, bready and fruity aftertaste. Medium carbonation, medium body, pretty good feel. This is actually quite good, easily drinkable, not an American IPA though but would be a solid English IPA, something I probably liked more than the score will suggest.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 19:45:50 | More by peensteen

TerryW

Ontario (Canada)

2.73/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

This one didn't quite work for me. It has some oddly unpleasant flavours going on and those didn't mesh too well with the higher than normal alcohol.

Looks great - poured a great big creamy looking head that settles to about a quarter inch and gave up some good lace. Handsome amber colour.

Soft nose, some hops and woodeness. Unfortunately, that woody character didn't translate into anything worthwhile on the palate. Slightly unpleasant with a touch of sourness in the finish despite an initially over sweet character. This one just hit one wrong note after another for me. Poor job of making the alcohol content work as part of the beer. Not a particularlly well integrated brew. Disjointed and slightly jarring.

So far I'm not overly impressed by what GIB has on offer.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2012 22:47:45 | More by TerryW

McBastard

British Columbia (Canada)

3.03/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a tulip from a 341 ml bottle.

Pours a hazy, golden honey color with half a finger of head that dissipates quickly. Smells like floral hops, with a noticeable maltiness. Taste is quite malty, with a mild citric hoppiness, finishing with a bit of astringency. Medium bodied, with low carbonation. Seems off-style to me, almost like a cross between a APA and an ESB. Fairly balanced and easy to drink, but I wouldn't seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 02:06:20 | More by McBastard

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

341ml bottle poured into a 16oz pint glass.

A - Just under two fingers of bubbly, light-tan head. Great honey-amber hue to the beer. The head recedes, but retains well and just under half-a-finger. Some nice looking lacing here and there.

S - Caramel malt and fresh citric hops dominate. Strong undertone of lemongrass and leafy hops.

T - Upfront this beer doesn't boast a very strong flavor. Light malt, slightly piney, a touch of caramel malt. The finish and aftertaste bring forward a flavor of leafy hops and a bit of bitterness. Sort of herbal, slightly earthy. A little bland, but it's alright.

M - Low-to-medium carbonation with a medium bodied feel. Nothing exceptional.

D - You know, it's funny, not even five months ago this IPA was my introduction to the style, and I really didn't care for it. The bitter hop flavor was just too much for me, and now, just a few months later, I find it tame and a little boring. Still an enjoyable IPA, but there are better beers out there for sure.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 06:45:29 | More by Converge

DoctorStrangiato

Alberta (Canada)

4/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a 341-ml bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance - light copper colour with a thin layer of head with very good lacing, plenty of hops obviously contributing. Not a lot of visible carbonation.

Smell - nice solid malt aroma with a good whiff of the citrusy hop boquet.

Taste - very crisp flavour with a good bitter finish.

Mouthfeel - well-balanced and exciting hop activity.

Drinkability - easy-drinking IPA, definitely would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2011 01:06:09 | More by DoctorStrangiato

ChrisCage

Alberta (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

A- This beer pours a chill hazed amber/orange color with minimal head, but what there is, retains well. The lacing is quite good, leaving behind soapy white wisps of foam. The carbonation appears to be average for this style, big and bubbly....nothing really outstanding about the looks of the brew

S- I smell a huge malt aroma, followed by the typical citrus notes of grapefruit and lemon, and the finish is primarily of leafy, herbal like bitterness. Overall, the aromas are modest at best...not real bitter, and not super potent, which is okay IMO.

T- There are some distinct, yet again, typical, citrus notes, of the same aforementioned varieties, and a lot more malt sweetness than I anticipated. There are notes of caramel/toffee along with brown sugar. These are offset somewhat in the finish, by a fresh tasting, yet mild bitter hop flavor.

M- Thirst quenching for sure, and the mouthfeel is light; not really carbonated in that palate scrubbing way, but it's there for sure. This is actually quite well balanced but the flavors and body are not really as powerful as I would have thought they would be.

O- As far as drinkability, this one is really easy to do so! I would put this more along the lines of an APA or even and American Amber....it's just so balanced, yet mild for what Granville was going for I think. Really nice to enjoy out on the patio on a very warm evening, like I did with this review!

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 00:51:31 | More by ChrisCage

CrazyMike

Alberta (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear golden/copper appearance with moderate-thick head and decent lace. Smell is grainy and malty with some sweetness, nothing big though.

Taste is very malty with decent hops, picked up citrus, caramel and grain as well. Slightly earthy. Light-moderate body with moderate carbonation. Aftertaste is bitter and malty.

Overall, this is a good take on IPA's. Good combination of tastes and drinkable. Not an amazing beer, but good enough. Would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2011 04:38:58 | More by CrazyMike

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Named in honour of Brockton Point and Lighthouse, in Stanley Park....

This beer pours a clear, glistening pale copper hue, with one finger of foamy off-white head, which leaves a pattern of low-lying clouds in terms of lace around the glass as it fades away. It smells mildly of herbal citrus hops, and bready caramel malt. The taste is more herbal, leafy, and generic citrus hops, over a rather plain bready malt. The carbonation is on the soft side, the body medium weight, fairly smooth, and a tad creamy. It finishes clean, the bitter herbal/citrus hops still at the forefront.

I don't know about the American NW heritage worthiness of this IPA. Seems to me to be more of that old country sensibility that most BC brewers tend to hold on to. Nonetheless, still tasty enough, categorization be damned.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2010 23:08:23 | More by biboergosum

ElGordo

Oregon

3.23/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from the 12oz bottle into a tumbler glass, as that's all that is available in this hotel room. Body is a golden-orange color topped by some wisps of creamy white head. Aroma of sweet malt (pale and some caramel), assertively fruity hops, and a touch of honey. Palate is well-balanced between lightly sweet malt and fruity hops with some tropical notes (pineapple, grapefruit). Finish is light, with any hop bitterness yielding to the sweet notes in the malt.
Body is a little thin, but nicely effervescent. This is a highly drinkable ale, but definitely lacks the punch of bitterness that is necessary in something calling itself a "west coast" IPA.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2010 06:03:00 | More by ElGordo

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a crystal clear copper, finger of soapy white head, mild retention, decent carbonation noticeable on the body leaving some fine sporatic lacing.

S - Grassy hops, sour lemon and bready caramel malts on the finish.

T - Bitter hops dominate the palette, very citrusy with some wooden cedar bark off the top. Mild caramel and buttered bread malts linger on the finish.

M - Perfect carbonation, not too watery, but very dry on the finish. Leaves your teeth sticking to your lips.

D - Overall the flavours are nicely balanced, but the mouthfeel was a bit of a turnoff to me. I quite liked the hops on it, and the buttery bread malts were very complementary. Decent offering from GIB and a welcome addition to the Alberta liquor market.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2010 20:33:35 | More by andrenaline

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - a clear golden bronze, one finger off white head retained okay with good lace up the glass
S - light herbal and leafy hops, somewhat grainy malt, with some resiny and metallic notes
T - leafy and herbal up front, some light citrus tartness with grainy notes, finishing with strong resiny and somewhat metallic flavour that are not the greatest
M - a fairly refreshing carbonation, moving to bitter and tart sensations, finishing somewhat dry
D - this is a decent enough brew, has just enough of the IPA elements buts doesn't quite stand out in any aspect, easy drinking enough to session but not my first choice, its straddles the line between common massed produced suds and a true style focused microbrew

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2010 04:13:26 | More by joemcgrath27

cswhitehorse

Oregon

2.8/5  rDev -18.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

The Brockton IPA poured a orange amber hue with minimal head activity or foam head. The was pretty subdued with aroma similar to a pale ale not an ipa. Where was the dry hopping? In the taste it was off balance and very low in IBU's. By taste would say this one has 40-50 ibu's. It was flat on the tongue and mouthfeel was very weak. Overall I would not drink this again as it does not resemble the style to me.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2010 03:54:44 | More by cswhitehorse

OskarL

Sweden

3.23/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A clear golden color with a two fingerhead that has some big bubbles and okay retention. It leaves little lacing.

Smells of biscuty malt, floral and citric hops, fainter hops than I expected.

Taste of some citric, earthy hops backed by a sweet malty backbone with some minerals and some bitterness in the finish.

Quite refreshing and creamy with a medium body and quite some carbonation. A quite enjoyable beer but not as hopped as I thought. Maybe this is typical for the "Pacific Northcoast IPA"?

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2010 02:33:14 | More by OskarL

noeldundas

British Columbia (Canada)

2.73/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

colour is beautiful for an IPA. very clear, tarnished gold.

some phenols and mustiness in the nose. a hint of diacetyl.

there is a light hop flavour, more of an american pale palate with crisp malt and light hopping.

clean bitterness with some pine and malty notes in the finish.

the nose detracts from the drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2010 23:31:43 | More by noeldundas

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

341ml bottle poured into 400ml dab glass nov4 2009

A clear golden amber with a fast falling two finger head just like the other beers in my mixer

S not a whole lot here, malt before hops and some sweetness but not what I would expect from a "Pacific Northwest IPA" perhaps a English IPA

T again malt and hops with some caramel sweetness but just not enough hops for my liking

M decent carbonation makes it slightly creamy but nothing to brag about

D I was a little let down, but I'm not saying this was a bad beer just not what I was expecting

a bit of a let down for me, I don't understand what it was in my brain that was excited to see the Granville mixer on my recent trip to BC. I seem to remember Granville Island making better beer, perhaps I've just grown up a bit since my last visit to their brewery in 2005 oh well

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2009 06:17:01 | More by wordemupg

CaptainPascoe

British Columbia (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Granville Island Brewery finally have added a beer with a bit more 'oomph'
A very accessable IPA, and I feel it is in the Pacific Northwest Style rather than the British style. (As a Brit living in Canada!) Although not as highly hopped as some, this is a refreshing hoppy pale ale. The hop flavour is definately PNW as the hops used taste citrusy, a little bite and very refreshing, rather than the more floral style of English Hops.

I can drink this all summer day long, which is the point of an IPA, and it does what it is supposed to. This is not an extreme beer, but one you can just enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2009 01:55:57 | More by CaptainPascoe

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Well, GI finally decided to add an IPA to their lineup and I am a little let down. This beer is just missing enough hops to put it up there with Tree Hopehead and Phillips. The beer has a great malt base and the hops that are there are pleasing to the nose and mouth but the beer lacks the killer punch. Now if this was a replacement for the anemic pale ale then I would rate it better but the bottle promises a hoppy PNW IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2009 23:36:30 | More by canucklehead

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pint at a pub on Granville Island. From notes.

A - Poured dark gold with mild carbonation and one finger of soapy white head. Good rings of lace with a film of retention.

S - Caramel, piney hops, a little mild.

T - Piney with sweet malt, honey and floral notes.

M - Strong carbonation, medium body and a little bitterness.

O/D - Tame but nice and drinkable. Enough flavour to keep it interesting but not a superbly flavourful IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2012 23:06:31 | More by tbeckett

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

3.13/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at Rivers Reach in New Westminster.

A: 1/4" off-white head over light amber liquid with good clarity.

S: Citrus and floral hops and some sweet malt.

T: Citrus and floral hops which transition to a sweet corn taste reminiscent of Captain Crunch cereal.

M: Medium viscosity and low carbonation.

O: Easy drinking but very sweet middle of the road IPA. Nothing special.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2011 04:55:09 | More by DaftCaskBC

donniecuffs

New Jersey

2.83/5  rDev -17.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Had this at Cactus Bar on a recent trip to Vancouver. Poured copper with very little head, and less than stellar retention. Not much of a nose to speak of, with only caramel and biscuit dominating. The taste revealed the same; copious amounts of caramel, and very little traces of herbal hops, leading up to a bitter dry finish. Expected more hop presence for an 'American' IPA. Very thin, but I guess this helps the sessionability. Not a fan. Sorry.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2010 21:32:51 | More by donniecuffs