Does a balanced beer have to smell malty?

Peruvian802 · Jun 24, 2014

I dropped by a specialty beer shop last week and picked up bottles of Ballast Point Sculpin, Founders Centennial IPA, a literally unmemorable can, and North Coast Pranqster (still in the fridge, so not really part of the discussion). I was excited as these all are highly 'rated' brews.

Cracking the Sculpin and IPA over the last couple of days, I was immediately struck with how malty they all smell. There is a little hop bitterness and I would describe the flavor across the tongue as 'balanced' in that all taste buds get something, but there is nothing fresh, hoppy, citrusy, etc. about them. I realize these aren't DIPAs but I would have expected more fruit on the nose or at least not such a huge hit of sweetness from the malt.

Maybe it's that these were not as fresh as they could have been as none are local to me, but I was really disappointed in them.

Falcon3 · Jun 24, 2014

Judging from the fact that you're in Vermont, and from my experience with bottled beers far from their origins, I would say the "Malty" aroma and taste you are getting is in fact oxidation. I've experienced the same thing, and especially in IPAs, it's very easy to get.

The fact that big, hoppy brews fade quickly is why brewers such as Stone put "best by" dates on their bottles. Stone only gives 90 days, and I have had bottles at 45 days that still show signs of age and oxidation-

Unfortunately, that's just part of the process, and in glass containers, it's accellerated. Now, I try to support breweries that either put their products in cans, or put dates on their bottles as to when it was brewed or a publicized "best by" date.

Peruvian802 · Jun 25, 2014

The Founders IPA was in a can, FWIW.

Homercidal · Jun 25, 2014

I've had plenty of Centennial IPA the past few years and I can tell you that to me, aroma and taste are anything but malty. It's not the tongue shredding bitterness you'd get from a West Coast IPA, but it definitely leans toward the hop side of the flavor profile. I'd describe it as being citrusy, like a Bells Two Hearted, but not as malty.

I agree that age might have something to do with it. Hops don't age well, and even a couple of months can ruin a good IPA, I've discovered. Also, if you are used to the drier, West Coast style of IPA, then Centennial IPA might seem malty.

stpug · Jun 25, 2014

I recently had two BP Sculpins in NY (1 bottle and 1 can). I drank the bottle first knowing the can would surpass it in terms of quality, and the bottle rocked! Of the 25+ IPAs I had, Sculpin stood out as the definitive winner (close second by Enjoy By). A couple days later I poured the can of Sculpin and was sadly disappointed with how lackluster it was compared to the bottle. I guess the bottle I had was fresh or better handled than the can because the can tasted like many other IPAs taste. I also had Founders Centennial and it was the usual 'meh' response I so regularly experience with IPAs; good but nothing exceptional. I still contend that my kegged IPAs beat the pants off more IPAs bought in a store; I just don't think you can beat "Fresh" when it comes to hoppy beers.

TobyG · Jun 25, 2014

Homercidal said:
I've had plenty of Centennial IPA the past few years and I can tell you that to me, aroma and taste are anything but malty. It's not the tongue shredding bitterness you'd get from a West Coast IPA, but it definitely leans toward the hop side of the flavor profile. I'd describe it as being citrusy, like a Bells Two Hearted, but not as malty.

I agree that age might have something to do with it. Hops don't age well, and even a couple of months can ruin a good IPA, I've discovered. Also, if you are used to the drier, West Coast style of IPA, then Centennial IPA might seem malty.

This. Founders Centennial has a healthy malt backbone, but is definitely balanced to the hop side. There is some malt there in the aroma and flavor, but if you're not getting that yummy centennial goodness dominant in the aroma and flavor, you're getting stale product. It and Two Hearted are my current favorite IPAs (coincidentally both Centennial based).

raabs · Jun 26, 2014

Sculpin should most definitely not smell malty. Distance can do that to bottles. The first time I had Bells Two Hearted in San Diego I was so disappointed but after trying some fresh on tap it was a completely different experience.