Samuel Adams / Boston Beer Company Rebel IPA
What the brewers say
Rebel IPA Samuel Adams take on the West Coast IPA style, brewed with American Cascade, Simcoe, Chinook, Centennial, and Amarillo hops, plus Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend and Caramel 60, then finished with ale yeast.
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Grapefruit character dominates with little malt aroma. Some tropical flavors and an almost soap-like floral character. Pleasant citrus notes, some light spice, some subtle malt as it warms.”
Flavor: “Complex and assertive hop flavor up front with notes of grapefruit, tropical fruit, and pine. Decidedly bitter in flavor and finish, but still drinkable. Malt has a slight bread crust character. Good balance with bitterness.”
Overall: “The fruit notes dance around the beer to the finish. Very nice example of an American IPA—middle of the road, but very drinkable. The hop profile is complex yet focused, and the balance is decidedly bitter to showcase the hops. Just enough sweetness to round everything out and keep it drinkable.”
