Kashmir

The English IPA isn’t too common of a style to come across in the USA. By the name, one might think it’s the same thing as the style we all know and love, but simply with an English flair. While at the core that is what it is, it’s really a whole different animal.  The hops are lighter, the malts are bigger, and the yeast is more characteristic. This beer embodies all that. It pours a bright golden color with a thin white head, low carbonation and immaculate clarity. The hops don’t jump out of the glass, you have to dig for them a bit beneath toasted, crackery malt. Underneath this are light notes of floral, earthy hops with a touch of orange marmalade. The flavor brings along more of the crackery malt, but mingles in sweet caramel and honey notes as well, leaving a smooth, full-bodied feel. The hops provide more of a floral bouquet and a bitterness that starts off soft but gains strength which each sip. The overall character is a bit duller than some of the better examples of this style, so even if English IPAs aren’t your cup of tea, this one is sure to not offend.