Highland Devil’s Britches IPA - Highland Brewing

tdm168

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

A - dark amber with a big, pillowy, white head that has decent retention

S - herbal, spicy hop aroma with a bit of a peppery spiciness

T - light caramel, big spicy hops, peppery spice, some faint herbal notes, intensely bitter finish

M - medium bodied, smooth, well carbonated though crisp

This is a decent IPA. It had a different flavor profile than I was expecting, but I was basing that idea on their Kashmir IPA. This spicy hop character is intense and welcomed. This is a solid, balanced beer with great drinkability. I recommend it to any hop head or Highland fan.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 03:32:49 | More by tdm168

bcuz7

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -10%

05-19-2013 21:51:54 | More by bcuz7

MCDub

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +10.8%

05-10-2013 14:40:00 | More by MCDub

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.59/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

"'Lordy, that's as red as the devil's britches,' exclaimed a local rancher, awed by the vibrant fall canopy ablaze on what is known today as Devil's Britches trail. Highland Brewing commemorates the history of the Great Smoky Mountains and Devil's Britches trail with a rich, red IPA. Ashburne Mild malt produces a toasted and biscuity flavor, and Extra Special malt renders an alluring red hue. Apollo hops provide aggressive bitterness (70 IBU), while dry-hopping with Calypso hops yields complex fruity and floral aromas with hints of pear and apple. This devishly delicious ale is Highland;s twist on the great American IPA." Brewed in the style of a Red IPA. The newest seasonal beer by Highland Brewing Company.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a pint glass. Served north of 49º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours a toasted caramel cream head of a creamy froth consistency over a red-tinged copper body with moderate relaxed carbonation and high clarity. Lacing is light and curtained- retention is very good. Very pleasing appearance. 4.25

(Smell) Aroma is relatively clean with a light bready malt base. A mild citrus hop aroma tries to pair, but doesn't quite match the intensity. Potency overall is somewhat muted- none of the aromas really come forward to define this beer. 3.25

(Taste) Toasty caramel biscuit malts with a mellow bready sweetness. Hops are equally softened- some peppery, earthy characters and a touch of spice, but nothing is taking the reins. I don't personally find the bitterness too much. Balance is right on for the flavors involved, but collectively they're very light throughout. The toasted caramel is probably the most unique part of this IPA- I haven't had many IPAs with a toasted grain front like this one presents. The drinkability is incredibly high, as neither the malt nor the hop character trash the palate like heavier-bodied IPAs do. It's a good, session beer but likely won't meet the demands of the adventurous IPA bunch that go for a maltier or hoppier IPA. 3.5

(Mouthfeel) Mouthfeel is very smooth with a slight thickness and a mellow buzzy carbonation. Body is light+ for the style, light/medium overall. Alcohol presence is very low, concealed by the little alpha bitterness that is perceptible to the tongue. The texture is very nice for this style, it helps keep the flavor and texture relatively uncomplicated, but it could be even more relaxed to go with the texture. Ingredients for a very sessionable IPA are all here, it just won't be to everybody's IPA expectations. Based on the recipe, the mouthfeel is good. 4

(Overall) Devil's Britches hits the mark for those who want an IPA that doesn't neutralize the taste buds or fill you up after one drink. Highland has a tendency to craft light, drinkable IPAs, and this one isn't all that exciting, but is enjoyable enough to drink a few in a row. Feel free to give it a try. 3.75

Highland Brewing Company's
Devil's Britches India Pale Ale
3.59/5.00

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 01:14:14 | More by Jadjunk

RedneckBeerz

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -3%

05-04-2013 12:24:33 | More by RedneckBeerz

AMCPhD

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +3.9%

04-29-2013 21:34:11 | More by AMCPhD

kell50

North Carolina

3/5  rDev -16.9%

04-28-2013 13:23:00 | More by kell50

KeyWestGator

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -3%

04-27-2013 15:45:56 | More by KeyWestGator

ltdantheman

Georgia

3.25/5  rDev -10%

04-26-2013 14:29:19 | More by ltdantheman

SaCkErZ9

Florida

3.44/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Pours from the 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Emerges the same color as Yuengling, copper reddish blood orange color with a slightly tanned head. Good spot of lacing, head retention is nice as well.

Aroma is quite nice. Definitely hoppy. Kind of an earthy, slightly floral hops aroma that is fresh and tickles the cilia. Plenty of caramel malts to back up the aroma with slight biscuit and cracker.

Solid flavor also. The mouthfeel is way thin, almost watery. Finishes very clean and stark dry, almost like champagne. Good bit of hop bitterness, slight grapefruit peel. Tis one is very easy to drink; too easy if you ask me. There is no chewiness or anything. Needs more body. Decent beer, plenty better out there.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 21:03:07 | More by SaCkErZ9

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.56/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Tasted 10 April 2013.

Pours a medium-deep amber, slightly rusty. Mostly clear, with a column of bubbles rising up. One finger of off-white head, okay retention and lacing.

Smell is a malty medium-hopped herbal IPA with a shade of pine.

Taste is grainy, dominated by a moderate to high liquid, flowing bitterness.

Mouthfeel is the high point. Medium-bodied, persistent, but with a flare of carbonation that livens the whole thing up.

A decent IPA, balanced, and heavier on the acids than the aromatics.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 06:41:41 | More by zeledonia

zac16125

South Carolina

3.64/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Draft into pint glass

A: dark amber, small white head, minimal lacing

S: malty, hints of hop bitterness, grass an off almost moldy aroma (although not as bad as that sounds)

T: pretty tasty, good balance of malts and piney hop bitter, much better than the nose. High bitterness level is nice

M/D: medium body, appropriate carbonation, good drink ability

O: I liked it. Nothing spectacular but I'd drink again. Rating would be high if not for the off aroma

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2013 23:31:21 | More by zac16125

avalon07

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a copper color and a clear consistency. There was a small amount of foamy head that quickly dissipated. Pretty good lacing.

S: A very underplayed aroma of hops, pine, and some malt.

T: Tasted of malt, light hops (less than you might expect from an IPA), pine, and a little tinge of citrus. Like the aroma, the flavor was very mild. Almost seemed more like an English IPA than an American version.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a prickly finish. Light- to medium-bodied.

O: A little on the tame side as IPAs go, but still worth a shot. Drinkable, but there are certainly other IPAs I would go for first.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 17:47:01 | More by avalon07

kylehay2004

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -3%

04-11-2013 22:23:57 | More by kylehay2004

Onenote81

North Carolina

3.76/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Stopped in to Finnegan's Wake here in town, and saw this one on tap. A new one for me. Came out a rusty amber, rather than a pale orange that characterizes many IPAs. Small beige head on top. Excellent lacing as I sip this one.

Fresh floral aroma with mild citrus and faint piney notes. Moderate body, really easy to drink. Carbonation is spot on. Slightly dry on the finish. Nice bitter snap right away that lingers a bit on the palate. Semi-sweet grapefruit, bitter rind, touches of candied malt.

This one isn't gonna melt your face with bitterness, and that's just fine with me. Where there's surely a place for that type, this one brings the bitterness, but in a toned down way that makes this a fine easy-drinking ale. Nice work, Highland.

Serving type: on-tap

04-10-2013 18:53:59 | More by Onenote81

marley2112

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +10.8%

04-09-2013 02:20:37 | More by marley2112

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +3.9%

04-08-2013 12:02:07 | More by Kegatron

rfbenavi80

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev +3.9%

04-07-2013 05:23:45 | More by rfbenavi80

nmann08

Maryland

3/5  rDev -16.9%

04-06-2013 22:01:17 | More by nmann08

Bill235

Ohio

3/5  rDev -16.9%

04-01-2013 14:56:59 | More by Bill235

oline73

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -3%

03-31-2013 23:03:35 | More by oline73

MacQ32

South Carolina

3.66/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A - Poured into a Weyerbacher tulip glass. Aggressively carbonated, nearly 3 fingers of caramel/cream colored thick (not bubbly) head. Body is amber/red and seemingly a bit murky. Lacing is quite good (spotty but very thick on the glass). Retention is absolutely fantastic.

S - Light caramel malts, refreshing apa type aroma (think apples), earthy/grassy hops, slightly biscuity. Pretty mild aroma.

T - Decent piney/floral hops initially, apples and mostly pears are dead on and quickly mediate the hops (with some sweeter caramel malt), making this a lighter ipa, probably ideal gateway IPA, light bitterness lingers after the fruits subside. Finish is very mildly bitter, and minimally dry.

M - Well carbonated visually, certainly carbonated on the palate as well but not overly carbonated as it may look. Very refreshing, really really easy to drink, decent lawnmower beer.

O - Definitely more of a mild flavor profile but a really good APA/IPA type brew. Very smooth, very refreshing, fantastic lacing and retention, ideal for those who dont love hop bombs as I do.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 17:12:32 | More by MacQ32

Ryan011235

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured into an Allagash glass on 3/27/13

Burnt tobacco; quite clear with a head just shy of two fingers. Thin, smooth retention and tightly speckled, sandy lace. Thick rings of lace further down.

Herbal and piney hop aroma with floral bleed. Full biscuit aroma sets the backdrop for the zesty hops. The taste is spicy with pine resin and brash herbal hits. The malts are full without being obtrusive. Bitterness is moderate throughout and rough on the finish. The finish is also a little dusty. Medium-full for the style with a resin-sticky feel is offset by fairly smooth, puffy carbonation.

I've had several of these and the Devil's Britches fit just fine.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 02:32:15 | More by Ryan011235

UltimateLivewire

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +3.9%

03-27-2013 03:53:01 | More by UltimateLivewire

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.56/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours copper colored with a thumb of cream colored head. Good head retention & above average lacing

S: Some biscuitty notes, piney & leafy hops, also herbal hops

T: Herbal & woody hops, & touch of breadyness up front. Pine & orange rind as this warms, plus more woody hops. Finishes with woody & herbal hops, plus a bit of dryness & biscuitty malt, plus some citrussy & piney hops showing up at the end of the party

MF: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation, alright balance

This is a serviceable AIPA/red ale, but nothing to get excited about & a step below most of the other Highland beers I've tried. The Lowes I was in had Bells Twi hearted for about 60 cents more a sixer. That would've been a far better purchase...

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 03:04:34 | More by russpowell