jinroh (4381) reviewed Winter IPA from Aqula 12 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8
From a plastic cup @ Japan Brewers Cup Festival 2014. Looks dark golden, a bit hazy. I guess quite usual look for an IPA. Aroma is modest, you can feel some hops and some sweeter malt undertones but it is not very complex. Taste is bitter from the first sip, don’t have this as your first beer as it really numbs your palate. It has also a decent body but hop bitterness is still a dominating force. Aftertaste has some bitter grapefruit seeds that last long, some bittersweet fruity malts also there. Mouthfeel is slick, a bit oily. Good IPA, not the greatest I have had but would love to have this again.
TimE (11146) reviewed Winter IPA from Aqula 13 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5
This reminds me very much of the Kiwi IPA when it first came out. Same base malt, I am very very sure. Moderately dry, hop focused with tropical fruit notes. Well executed and highly enjoyable, I just hope it doesnt have the same fate as the Kiwi with consistency. I gave the Kiwi a 4.1 when I first tried it and I will do the same with this beer and adjust accordingly in the future.
Kyotolefty (15912) reviewed Winter IPA from Aqula 13 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9
Draught at Tokyo Dome “Furusato Matsuri.” Deep, shiny gold. Huge hop nose: citra, Nelson Sauvin, Amarillo all come through. Peach, citrus, grass, catpiss, plus biscuity malt sweetness. Great winter feeling coming through the sweet malts. Great hopping all around. Excellent.