India Pale Ale (I.P.A.) is an American IPA brewed by Laughing Dog Brewing, and for the purposes of this craft beer review, the ale was served in an IPA glass from a 12 oz. can.
Packaging art for the India Pale Ale (I.P.A.) by Laughing Dog Brewing
Appearance
The IPA pours a slightly cloudy deep golden hue but appears mostly clear once the beer settles. The ale is topped by a thick cap of rocky off-white foam that shows fair retention. The head’s reduction leaves behind some lovely sticky lace along the sides of the glass.
Aroma
The aroma is bright with a scent that’s perfumey and floral. There’s also some pine and just a hint of bready malt. As the beer warms, a note of stone fruit is detected as well.
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Flavor
The hop-forward palate is led by a flowery bite that crests to a bigger bite of pine and grapefruit citrus. Herbal hops also appear as the beer warms. The tasting mellows slightly with peach and caramel. Lightly toasted bread ties the palate together.
Mouthfeel
The tasting is relatively smooth with a dry finish. It has a medium body and a matching level of carbonation. The bitterness is moderately astringent.
Label art for the India Pale Ale (I.P.A.) by Laughing Dog Brewing
Overall
Perhaps the head retention could be better but otherwise the appearance of this brew is fine. The aroma is strong, pleasant, and persistent. Also fine. The feel is right in line with style expectations and the palate is a hoppy mouth pleaser.
With that in mind, there isn’t anything subtle about this India Pale Ale. It’s old-school shovel-to-the-face with hops. That’s not to say there isn’t any balance but this brew definitely hearkens back to a time when the West Coast style was prevalent.
Overall, the Laughing Dog India Pale Ale is a perfectly fine brew — one that should particularly appeal to the hopheads.
