258. Cricket Hill Hopnotic IPA

Nothing good to say about this beer as it was only the second beer in the 258 I have reviewed that I did not finish. I love IPAs but this one was off in almost every way. 


Appearance is the only part of this beer that is a positive and even that did not last long as the head dissipated very quickly and left almost no lacing on the glass. Aroma was terrible with lots of wheat and no hops. I have not had a Miller Lite in at least 10 years but this is what I remember it tasting like. Flavorless and bitter in a bad way. I gave this one a chance letting it warm slightly and the taste was still horrible so it went down the drain. 
Pros: Nothing
Cons: Everything
Alcohol Content: 5.2% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Cricket Hill Brewery

Brewers Description: No mere beverage could satisfy the thirst of the gallent soldiers who stood guard over the colonies of the British Empire. Their thirst could only be quenched by a full-bodied, heartyale; an ale balanced with rich flavorful Hops. Cricket Hill proudly offer this old style India Pale Ale for those who long for the time when once your duty was complete, the taste of a fine ale was reward enough for a job well done.

198. Meantime IPA

I have to admit I purchased this one because of the bottle. Such a cool design and label. This is an 11.2 oz bottle (slightly less than your typical American 12 oz) with avery unique style to it. Meantime is a brewery located in London, England and they also sell full 750 ml bottles with a cork top. The beer pours a pale orange color with a decent white head.  Smell is mostly malts and breads which is surprising for an IPA but maybe they do things differently in England. Taste has a fair amount of sweetness from the malts and a nice tropical fruit taste - maybe cantaloupe? Overall it was an easy to drink beer even at 7.4% ABV. Not sure I would seek out another bottle but I was not disappointed in the one I had. 
Pros: Bottle

Cons: Average taste and less exciting than many American IPAs.

Alcohol Content: 7.4% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating:  
Brewers Website: Meantime Brewing

Brewers Description: The Original Bitter BeerA Glass Full of Hops

118. Brooklyn Brewery East India Pale Ale

Another IPA...The color is about what you would expect from an IPA, a nice light orange, copper color with minimal head. Aroma is complex with a lot of things going on; some citrus with a bit of pine. Taste  is well balanced and easy to drink with a fair amount of bite from the hops but it does not linger too long. Overall this is a good IPA but nothing that makes it stand out among the many others.
Pros: Aroma

Cons: 

Alcohol Content: 6.8% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): Rating: 

Brewers Website: Brooklyn Brewery

Brewers Description: Our East India Pale Ale is a deep golden beer brewed from British malt and a blend of hops featuring the choice East Kent Golding variety. It is traditionally dry-hopped for a bright aroma of hops and citrus fruit, and has a robust snappy bitterness, a warming malt palate and a clean hoppy finish.

116. Geary's Winter Ale

This one surprised as it is listed as an IPA so I was expecting the typically hoppy beer. After pouring and seeing the nice dark color, tan head and strong fruity aroma with almost no hops I knew it was going to be different. The malts are very strong in this one and it finished with lots of chocolate flavor. Almost no hop bite. I gave this one 3.5 stars as I truly enjoyed the beer but if I were grading it within the English IPA style which it is supposed to be, the grade would be much lower. 
Pros: Great flavor and aroma

Cons: Not an IPA

Alcohol Content: 6.0% ABV
Calories: ???
IBU (Bitterness): ??
Rating: 

Brewers Website: Geary's

Brewers Description: Geary's Winter Ale is a hearty India Pale Ale; it has a dry maltiness with an intense floral hop finish.