Review – Full Sail IPA

I sampled Full Sail IPA, Pale Ale, and Amber Ale many years ago, and wasn’t quite impressed. My palette wasn’t as developed and I didn’t put much stock into how fresh Trader Joes stash was.  Now that I am a Full Sail Session and LTD 02 fan boy, it was time to revisit their mainstay beers.

Full Sail Brewing – Full Sail IPA – 12oz bottle poured into a pint glass. – – 6.0% abv.

Appearance: Cloudy dark yellow with a 1/4 inch white head. Very translucent, with visible carbonation rising to the top. As I drink it, I notice very webby lacing all the way down to the bottom.

Aroma: Lemon, corn and other grains.

Taste: Bitter hops that hit the middle of my tongue immediately, a tad twang of acidity, and an aftertaste of dry bitter malt.

Mouthfeel: Crisp and thirst quenching. Although the hops are bitter, there aren’t other characteristics you would associate with it, such as puckering.

Overall: A very sessionable IPA.  It’s very hop forward, but doesn’t use the typical hopping usually found in something on the left coast. Very balanced and thirst quenching. Goes better with food than by itself.