Pike IPA was judged as BJCP category 21A, American IPA.
The aroma opens with moderately high levels of pine resin, catty and dank hops are up front in the aroma. A touch of grapefruit rind and some sweet orange join in. There is a background note of grainy and rich caramel malt detected. Clean fermentation with nothing off or out of place. The beer pours a light golden color with brilliant clarity. Nice creamy slightly off-white head with great retention. The flavor presents more of a grapefruit and orange citrus than was found in the aroma. Other fruity esters are noted that seem reminiscent of berries. Decidedly balanced toward the hop flavor and bitterness but the rich caramel and grainy malt is noticeable and provides some counter balance and results in a somewhat semi-sweet finish. Lingering sweet orange character in the after taste. Medium body with moderate carbonation with a touch of hop bite but not astringent. There is a slight mouth coating creaminess.
By todays standards this IPA is rather malty and other than the catty and dank hops, seems more like a through back to the American IPA’s of the 1990’s. I’m not complaining, I love those beers – I love this beer. Nice hop aromatics and flavors, with a firmly rounded bitterness. Nothing over the top in the hop department and accompanied by a noticeable malt character to balance. I will say that this one seems a tad too malty for the style. Some additional dryness would really help the drinkability but still a very enjoyable beer.