Tasting Notes: BrewDog Punk IPA
Brewery: BrewDog
Location: Fraserburgh, Scotland
ABV: 6.0%
Version: Bottled
Source: Tesco
I first heard about BrewDog's Punk IPA over at The Beer Diary and then a few days later spotted a bottle in Tesco, which I duly grabbed. I've said before that IPA isn't really my first-choice when it comes to beer-style, so when I do venture out of my comfort zone, I'm looking for something special. And I'm glad to say that Punk IPA, like the Meantime IPA I tried not so long ago, is pretty damn special indeed.
I didn't chill this "post-modern classic pale ale" before trying it, wanting to make sure that I got the full range of flavours. There was a huge hit of hops, hops and more hops, which is exactly what you want from an IPA, of course, as well as a bone-dryness that was positively Saharan. But there was also a velvety smoothness - great mouthfeel - which helped to keep both the sharpness and the alcohol nicely balanced, making this big IPA a very easy drinker indeed. I think that was the main difference between the Punk and the Stateside that I tried at Wetherspoons the other week: the Stateside (also 6%) seemed to be all about the spiky dryness. All in all, a definite hit with this non-IPA expert. I predict that I'll be drinking this one again someday.
I've been reading on the BrewDog blog that they've been having a spot of bother with the Portman Group - the self-appointed guardians of the UK brewing industry's moral high-ground / a cartel of major brewers determined to stamp out originality and keep the smaller guys from achieving any sort of lasting success [delete as applicable] - and as Joe pointed out they're not the only ones.
Personally, I think any brewery that shows a bit of imagination and creativity in the face of the shelves upon supermarket shelves of mass-market blandness and bog-standardism should be applauded and lauded, not castigated and taken-to-task for the originality of the wording on its labels. As for 'incitement to anti-social behaviour'... WTF? it's cans of cheap, super-strength cooking-lager the yobs round our neck of the woods are knocking back on a Friday night, not 330ml bottles of micro-brewed craft beer, for crying out loud! A little perspective from the Portman Group, please? A little common sense? Too much to ask for?
Anyhow, I've decided to show my support for BrewDog in the best way possible: I've just this minute placed an order for their Stout Special mixed box (6 x Rip Tide, 6 x Paradox and I do hope I get the Caol Ila version...) with a side-order case of 2009 Prototype Special selection: three great-looking beers (including another mega-IPA) that they're testing at the moment.
I'll be letting you know how I get on in due course...
- Tandleman declared it the best bottled beer he'd tasted this year.
- Tim at The Beer Diary really rated it as well.
- Boak and Bailey lined it up against two other BrewDog IPAs and decided it was the best of the three.
- But this piece on Booze Reviews suggests it needs proper care & attention if it's going to travel (to California, for instance).
Related posts:
It is always refreshing to see someone do something slightly against the grain and walk away as a serious threat to the current standard. Consumers deserve good beer and BrewDog are shining in a sea of mediocrity.
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Their whole marketing approach would of course be worth nothing if the product didn't deliver, but from the several beers in their range I've tried they can most definitely walk the talk. What I find even more in their favour is the very small time they've been operating. As for the ASBO crowd, I can't say I've seen any of them paying £2 for a 330ml bottle of beer, 'cos that would be, like, 6 cans of cheap lager.
As for the Punk IPA - first up I loved the zesty hoppy aroma with just a hint of lemons. More of those lemons in the hoppy bitter with the alcohol adding a perfect balance of sweetness to the mix. A real in-your-face IPA but with a subtle charm which draws you in.
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One of the 2009 prototypes I've ordered is described as a 7.1% IPA with "insane hops". Might be interesting to try the two together, see if there's a noticeable difference in character...
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