Railway City Brewing Co. Dead Elephant English IPA at 6.5% ABV | 66 IBU (C$3.35 at Gift – Rod H, 473 ml, packaged on 17-Oct-2018, acquired 20-Dec-2018, reviewed 25-Dec-2018)
Appearance: clear deep gold with one fat finger of loose white head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: caramel, floral, stone fruit, earth, citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter finish. (3/5)
I don’t think this one knows whether it’s fish or fowl: the aroma is very malt-intensive English, but the bitterness is far beyond that normally associated with the E/IPA style and well into territory more commonly associated with the New World. Oh, and they can’t make up their mind about the bitterness for this thing: their own web site says 46 IBU, but the can says 66 IBU. Personally, I think the can is right, but it’s just another layer of confusion to add to the mix. And no, not in an “adds to the air of mystery” sense – it’s just pretty muddled and meh-tastic overall. (13/20)
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
