Hops and Robbers IPA

[markaberrant]

Another new entry to the Alberta market, this can has a BB of Nov 9, so assuming reasonably fresh.

Aroma is mild malt, somewhat reminiscent of a quality english bitter. Pleasant enough.

Hop flavour is again quite restrained, but instead of rich malt backbone, it comes off a little watery/bland.

I have trouble agreeing with the claim on the can that this is "Canada's most sessionable IPA," whatever the hell that means. I also don't pick up any lemon or pineapple notes as mentioned on the can. There is a bit of english hops in a supporting role, but that's about it.

This is just an average English IPA/ESB, there is no reason why this needs to be 5.7%, it certainly doesn't come across as robust. I'd rather drink a Fullers, or better yet a Jaipur IPA, but this is still drinkable.

This would be cutting edge stuff if it was 1992. Very much an old school Canadian craft beer.

[atomeyes]

yep. that's about right.

Mad Tom's probably the best ON IPA with Smashbomb being a close second.
the rest?who needs 'em.

[Malcolm]

yep. that's about right.

Mad Tom's probably the best ON IPA with Smashbomb being a close second.
the rest?who needs 'em.

Wrong. I'll take Headstock over Mad Tom any day. And I "need" Hop Addict as well.

[GregClow]

yep. that's about right.

Mad Tom's probably the best ON IPA with Smashbomb being a close second.
the rest?who needs 'em.

Wrong. I'll take Headstock over Mad Tom any day. And I "need" Hop Addict as well.

Not to mention Boneshaker...

[atomeyes]

idunno....
depends what you dig from IPAs. i need that insane/lovely floral hit. that's why i dig Witchshark so very much. great bouquet:bitter ratio.

[TheSevenDuffs]

idunno....
depends what you dig from IPAs. i need that insane/lovely floral hit. that's why i dig Witchshark so very much. great bouquet:bitter ratio.

You find Witchshark floral???? Really?

[robinvboyer]

yep. that's about right.

Mad Tom's probably the best ON IPA with Smashbomb being a close second.
the rest?who needs 'em.

Wrong. I'll take Headstock over Mad Tom any day. And I "need" Hop Addict as well.

Not to mention Boneshaker...

+1 love me some boneshaker!

[Derek]

This would be cutting edge stuff if it was 1992. Very much an old school Canadian craft beer.

I completely agree... but I did really like it.

Sort of a west-coast ESB by today's standards. Very little malt backbone and nicely attenuated, as an IPA should be. I actually think a session IPA is a descent descriptor.

Not as hoppy or 'sessionable' as a Crazy Canuck, but a very pleasant brew.

[atomeyes]

idunno....
depends what you dig from IPAs. i need that insane/lovely floral hit. that's why i dig Witchshark so very much. great bouquet:bitter ratio.

You find Witchshark floral???? Really?

the amarillo nose jumps out really nicely.
i also drink it closer to room temp, so who knows.

[cratez]

I completely agree...but I did really like it. Sort of a west-coast ESB by today's standards.

I've been saying this all along, and judged as a North American-style ESB (read: a dry-hopped English ESB with amped up levels of British and American hops and slightly higher IBUs), it's a very solid beer. I find it to be ridiculously sessionable, yet flavouful and nuanced enough to keep things interesting. It's just unfortunate that they went with the IPA label, rather than educating consumers on a fairly new and developing style (see: Three Floyds, Rogue, Central City, Southern Tier, Goose Island, Yards, Al's Cask Ale, etc).

[J343MY]

idunno....
depends what you dig from IPAs. i need that insane/lovely floral hit. that's why i dig Witchshark so very much. great bouquet:bitter ratio.

You find Witchshark floral???? Really?

the amarillo nose jumps out really nicely.
i also drink it closer to room temp, so who knows.

Witchshark to me is just pine-city. Kind of one dimensional actually