Feb 8, 2018

Alewerks Superb IPA

This bottle of Alewerks Superb IPA is the second of a handful that the boss lady brought home with her after a recent trip. The 6.3% ABV IPA employs an addition of wheat and oats in the grain bill while a blend Simcoe and Amarillo hop varieties provide the counter point. That’s all well and good, you say, but is Superb IPA actually, you know, superb?

The answer, of course, is subjective.

The brewery seems to think so and you may as well. Me? I believe it’s a solid IPA with a welcome fruitiness (orange, pineapple, grapefruit), pine, a hint of cattiness, good hop bitterness and capable malt backbone that provides a light and crisp mouthfeel. The company certainly makes better IPAs that are fuller in flavor and more dynamic. Had superb been a bit lower in alcohol, I’d be more apt to call the overall experience superb due to an increased drinkability.

Superb IPA has a nice balance between fruit, pine and that bready backbone that many of its peers don’t. Add in a decent amount of hop bitterness and you’ve certainly got yourself a refreshing and tasty beer, but I’m not 100% sold on “superb.” Maybe another six pack or two will help me finalize that decision.