Saranac India Pale Ale - Matt Brewing Company, Utica

I haven't had much luck finding a Saranac beer that I like... They all sound pretty good as first, look appetizing and smell like they've done everything write. It's only when I take a drink that it all goes south. I went into Saranac's India Pale Ale with fairly low expectations... Being an IPA from Saranac doesn't exactly strike me as a beer I'd be likely to enjoy. I tried to keep an open mind however, pouring this beer into tall glass to develop a nice head and bring out the aroma. What I found in this glass of Saranac was pretty intriguing.

For an IPA this beer has a remarkably malty aroma. There are plenty of hops in this beer but they smell very subdued compared to the amount of malt. There is also a strong earthy component that carries through to the flavor. You definitely get more hops on your palate than you do in the aroma but it still isn't at the same level as you might expect from an IPA. The most noteworthy flavor in this beer is that strong earthiness that tastes a bit like cashews. The combination of flavors is a bit odd at first... but it works in a strange way.

I'm still not entirely sold on this beer. It's much more interesting than I thought it would be. This interesting IPA is worth picking up if only out of curiosity for what a nutty, malty IPA tastes like. When the novelty wears off you'll definitely be ready to move on.