Review – Port Brewing Wipeout IPA

Port Brewing Co. – Wipeout IPA – 22oz bottle poured into a pint glass. 7.0% abv.

Appearance: A cloudy light orange. Starts with a large, tight knit white head that subsides to a 1/2 inch.

Aroma: Grapefruit rind, orange juice. There is a smell of must or old rain water in there too. I really can’t pin point it.

Taste: Metallic hops, lemons, oranges, pineapple, and a large level of malts. Starts bitter, gets sweet and fruity in the middle, then ends bitter.

Mouthfeel: The tannins make for a puckering experience. A bit heavy for a regular IPA, but right on the money for a west coast IPA.

Overall: I was down on this beer from a few years ago, then I had it at Matt Denny’s in Arcadia, CA.  It was so fantastic on tap, that I gave it another whirl from bottle. The hops used are incredible, but the end result doesn’t have me wanting another 22oz bottle right away.  Perhaps this just isn’t my IPA.  Port makes such kick ass beers, that this shouldn’t be the deal breaker for a Port Brewing n00bie!

EDIT:  Before I could finish this review, I did notice the astringancy waned as I let it warm up a bit.  The properties I enjoyed were way more apparent. Perhaps that is why I liked it so much on tap at Matt Denny’s.