Saturday, March 30, 2013

Highland Devil's Britches IPA

Highland Brewing Co.   Ashville, NC

Notes:
American IPA
12oz Bottle
6.0% ABV


Appearance:  Pours and orangish copper color…very red more an IPA…a thin layer of off white head formed and remains…very thin, but persistent…fairly transparent, there is no real bubble action happening…kinda basic…(3.5/5)

Smell:  Very mild aroma…I’m getting some light grassy bitterness mixed with some earthy, more toned done qualities…has a faint Scottish ale feel with a light touch of rye…very earthy and malty, nothing traditional about this brew…some toasted and biscuit aromas as well…lacks though in overall pungency…(3/5)

Taste:  Earthy bitterness rounded with a light citrus freshness…much like the nose, very toned down and earthy/woodsy driven…malts are also very earthy and toasty, leading to a somewhat bland flavor…there is the slightest touch of rye malt bite, that brings a bit of life to the brew, but it’s super mild and really only plays the deepest background role…tastes very much like a blend between a Scottish ale and a basic IPA…(3.25/5)

Mouthfeel:  Light to medium body…Light to medium carbonation does bring some earthy/woodsy bitterness with a bit of rye pepperiness…earthy bitterness on the palate into the after taste…(3.5/5)

Overall:  While this isn’t a “bad” beer, the flavor is disappointingly bland…it’s very woodsy both in bitterness and maltiness and that lack of depth leaves me wanting…a very drinkable ale, as it warms more of the peppery rye flavor comes out…I feel like Highland was trying to make something innovative here with it’s mix of traditional Scottish ale flavors and earthy hops IPA, but for me it’s a miss…like I said, it’s not bad, but one is enough…try it for yourself if you like IPA’s that aren't west coast, citra hop bombs because this may be right up your alley…(3.25/5)

Score:
(3.28/5)


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