Squall IPA

Squall IPA isn't a bad beer, but it definitely isn't a good IPA. The overall impression is that of a caramelly, bready, alcoholic beer rather than a bright, hoppy IPA that I was expecting.  

The beer pours a dark gold with a slight haze, and a thin white head that dissipates fairly quickly. The aroma is....rich. It's much more reminiscent of the kind of toasty melanoidins you get out of a bock than any kind of IPA. There's a low earthy/piney background note if you really hunt for it, but only as it warms. The hitch is that if you wait that long, the alcohols are also coming out and competing with it.

The flavor is woody and smokey up front, with moderate bitttering. The hop flavor is slightly tropical with notes of guava, but they seem discordant with the pine notes. The finish is balanced, with a lingering bitterness (and also a touch of oxidation, which might be throwing this whole thing off). It's medium-full in the mouth with moderate carbonation and a slickness that might be caused by diacetyl.

Overall? There are far better IPAs out there. This a slightly heavy, relatively-high-alcohol ale with competing flavors. Not their best work -- hopefully it was just this one bottle.