Greene King 'The King's English' IPA. 6% abv. Amber color. Clear. Finger of white head with excellent retention and lacing. Nose of malt, slightly sweet, caramel, with a faint herbal once the temp drops. Front taste of caramel, roasted malt, earthy hops on the back. Aftertaste of bitter-earthy hops, sustain of bittersweet orange rind. Light-medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, small bubbly, semi-sticky.
This is a good beer, but one that is somewhat out of its category. It claims to be "highly hopped" but the hop profile comes up short, particularly when paired with the malt flavor that is foremost throughout. I realize that IPAs of old are not as hoppy as modern brews, but the taste is usually more present than here. This beer is well crafted, but seems meant for malt lovers rather than hop heads. Keep that in mind and you will likely enjoy this beer. Recommended.
From the brewery:
"Having traveled over time and tides (Hither Yon!), the recipe inside this bottle is classic - historic, even. The constancy of the brewer, stalwart - historic, even. (Greene, not green.) What once conveyed far-flung journeys to an empire's edge now signals the return home... and a recipe that launched thousands of ships of ale: highly hopped and with a perfect malt balance."
[source: bottle]
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