Samuel Adams Rebel IPA

This beer evinces aromas of Meyer lemons, pine and toasty caramel malts. This beer pours a slightly hazy, clear light copper with a nice white foam stand leaves lacing behind, then drops to a lingering ring of cream. The flavor presents pithy lemons, pine resin and bitter orange, which comes across a little like cooked citrus. This is a smooth, medium-bitter beer with no distracting harshness or astringency noted. The balance definitely leans toward the bitterness, but the caramel malt counters it and keeps things in check. Medium carbonation leads to a pleasantly dry finish with some slight alcohol warmth and a lingering, sticky hop presence that coats the roof of the mouth. A very nice American IPA that would have benefited from a fresher, more vibrant hop presence.