Mountain Goat India Pale Ale
Beer review from BA Mag Aug 2007. Released in 2002, this was apparently Australia's first 100 percent certified organic beer and boasts that it is "generously hopped." Unfiltered, we opt to decant carefully and allow it to pour a bright, very clear pale golden brew topped with a rocky white foam head that shows great head retention. Pale malts, rhubarb and floral, fruity esters, with suggestions of caramel sweetness. Incredibly smooth on the palate, surprisingly medium-bodied and round--almost a bit chewy, with a kickass foundation of fresh pale malts. Sweet, but not overboard, with toasty, caramel malts providing depth. The carbonation emerges from the body and provides a gentle crisp edge, with a semi-floral hop character and fruitiness that follows. Residual caramel notes and a toasty sweet linger in the finish. By today's standards, this leans more toward being a full and malt Pale Ale as opposed to an IPA; but as it stands, it's a tasty organic offering from down under--it's just not an IPA. Not even close. More hops, please.