Brooklyn East IPA, Brooklyn Brewery.
Beer: Brooklyn East IPA
Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery, Utica, New York
Type: IPA
ABV: 6.9%
Price: £1.79 (330ml can, Tesco)
You've probably heard of this Williamsburg based brewery and most likely tried their lager. That’s right, I am talking about the Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg (Williamsburg is part of Brooklyn).
Started as a home brew hobby they have become an international brand with international character, and is just one US brewery bringing flavour to Americas' beer. It's about time.
And now their beer. Brooklyn East IPA to be exact. Encased in it's little red can, with it baseball esq branding, is a brew that threatens...not to blow your head off.
Yes, I thought "Eh?" as well. It is described as a clean, drinkable ale with a bright aroma of pine and a firm fruity bitterness. The fruitiness comes from English East Kent Golden hops. So I guess it's the English bringing the flavour, but not entirely, it is mixed with some American hops too.
As it bubbles into the glass there is a clear head forming that settles white on top of the golden honey coloured liquid below, about 1cm thick. My nose is immediately hit with pine, but not overpowered, and then gradually picks up a deeper fruity apricot scent. Smells good, not too much hops or fruit. Balanced. It tastes fruity, distinctively apricot, not too bitter, it's not a sweet beer, but the most refreshing element of it is the smell and faint aftertaste of pine.
It's fantastically well rounded, middle weight on the tongue, I would call it perfect for a summer or winter night. A tipple on a cold winter would remind you of a fresh pine tree at Christmas. I snowboard and it took me straight to riding through the trees (may have had a beer then too).
Treat yourself in the summer and it would take your mind to fields of fruit. I don't have a story about that. I grew up in Lincolnshire, there are potato and wheat fields there (Will that do?) Anyway, you'll know what I mean when you try it.
Brooklyn, you have created an any occasion beer, and I'd happily partake in a keg or two. So, Brooklyn, if you are feeling generous?
Rating 3.75 /5
