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Route 1A Double IPA

Massachusetts
United States
ipswich double ipa
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
78
Aroma:
14 / 24
Flavor:
35 / 40
Appearance:
5 / 6
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20
Description 

Not all roads lead to our brewery and restaurant, but our local Route 1A certainly does! Our namesake Double IPA is sure to be the ale that will “take you away”. The use of bready, biscuity malts serve as the on-ramp to flavor, while the citrusy aromas extracted from Ahtanum, Amarillo and Mandarina hops lend to its heady bouquet. Take the alternate route with Ipswich Route 1A Double IPA.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.2%
IBUs: 
23
Served at: 
38° F
Hops: 
Columbus, Amarillo, Ahtanum, Mandarina
Malts: 
Maris Otter, Pilsner, Honey
Judges Review 
Josh Weikert's picture
Judges Rating:
78
Aroma:
14 / 24
Appearance:
5 / 6
Flavor:
35 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
16 / 20

Double IPAs can be ridiculously hoppy and still be consistent with the style as we know it. This one didn't get that memo, and instead drinks more like other breweries' standard IPA.

There's not much going on in the aroma. There's some orange and pineapple and a bit of grainy background malt. It's pretty enough though -- it poured a clear, medium-gold color with a thin white head.  

The flavor adds... too much in the wrong places. There's a rich bready note and a low caramel character (and in my bottle, a touch of wet-paper oxidation). The bittering is medium, with a balanced finish and some lingering peppery alcohols in the aftertaste. It's a full beer in the mouth, which is fine, but it also leaves behind a slightly syrupy, viscous sensation.  

Overall? It's truly not bad. With its malt-forward flavor profile it scans more as an Imperial English IPA than an American, and the lack of hop aroma and flavor really holds it back. Other bottles may be fresher and better, and if I had any, I'd drink it sooner rather than later!

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