Full disclosure: I’m a huge fan of India Pale Ales. Nine times out of 10, I’ll order whatever IPA the bar has on draft when I’m out to dinner or grabbing a drink with friends.

Obviously I will diversify my interests during the semester, but this first review is indeed of an IPA, and a delicious one at that. I met a friend at the Beer Belly Deli & Pub on Westcott Street this past Saturday night to catch up on what we did over Winter Break, to complain about the impending spring semester and, of course, to drink.

Beer Belly Deli & Pub has an IPA named “471 Small Batch” on tap from the Breckenridge Brewery Bar-B-Que Pub based out of Colorado. After seeing its high alcohol content, I eagerly ordered a pint.

I won’t claim to be a craft beer connoisseur, but I’ve definitely consumed a fair share of beer in my life. At the very least, I can now at least discern a good IPA from a bad one. The 471 Small Batch IPA from Breckenridge Brewery is no doubt one of the better beers.

It arrived at our table in a pint glass and the first thing I noticed was the beer’s foamy head. Of course, this could partially have been a result of the bartender’s pouring style.

As far as the other senses go, the first things I noticed were the beer’s strong fruity aroma and even stronger fruity taste. There were hints of orange and grapefruit, but neither was overwhelming.

I was also surprised by how smoothly it went down. With an alcohol by volume of 9.2 percent, I was expecting Breckenridge Brewery’s 471 Small Batch to be very bitter and to have a strong hoppy taste. It’s rare to find an IPA that isn’t too bitter or too fruity, but the brew masters there have found the right formula.

The bad news: Beer Belly Deli & Pub has already rotated the IPA out of their current stock of draft beers, so don’t all go running there at once and start a riot when you find out it’s not available — they have plenty of other options, though.

The good news: Breckenridge Brewery Bar-B-Que Pub apparently bottles its 471 Small Batch IPA year-round, so it’s out there somewhere. My best guess for finding it locally would be in the craft beer section of Wegmans.

I’m heading there this weekend to select my next beer to be happily consumed for review, so I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for it while I’m there.

Published on January 15, 2014 at 11:11 pm

Contact Tom: tsharkey@syr.edu