★ Review: Surly Abrasive Ale

Surly Abrasive Ale

I reviewed this beer in February of last year with a batch canned in December. I rated it highly despite being an older batch. My friend on HomeBrewTalk, Dan sent me 4 cans for a few cans of Vermont IPA goodness. Abrasive is a nice beer and this beer was canned two weeks ago. So, I’ll be posting the review below with an updated version now that it’s a fresher batch and my palate has changed a lot and this IPA seems to be even better than the last time I had it.

 

4.7

   AROMA 10/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL20/20

adamjackson (845) – Canaan, New Hampshire, USA – FEB 9, 2012

UPDATED: DEC 3, 2012 Acquired this in a trade. It’s the first DIPA I’ve had from surly. Stoked to try this and hoping it’s still fresh! Poured into a Newcastle glass direct from the fridge. Canned on 12/08/11A – 2 Finger head, tight and creamy bubbles that were off white and on the tan side. Deep and hazy brown with golden tints. Gorgeous looking beer! A+

S – TONS of pine, tons of hops, tons of brown sugar, caramel and sweetness! I got a bit of citrus but not a lot.

T – Absolutely amazing. A fantastic DIPA with tons of hop, great aftertaste. I’m getting orange, vanilla and brown sugar. There’s some ginger in here as well.

M – Nice carbonation but not overwhelming. Very drinkable!

O – I’ve had Heady Topper and Pliny the Elder. This is up there with those beers. an A+ in every way. I need to acquire a can fresh.

Update: New batch canned 11/14/12. Fresher than before and my palate is hopefully improved since then.

On the nose, I pick up a lot more grapefruit and citra than last time. I take back that there’s minimal citrus. Taste is super chewy. As great as I remember though and the most close I’ve had to Society & Solitude #4 from Hill Farmstead. Not as bitter as Heady Topper but a fantastic malt backbone, still nice levels of brown sugar, tangerines, grapefruit juice and cranberries. Very happy I have more of this to enjoy over the week. Thanks Dan!!

Surly Abrasive Ale
Surly Abrasive Ale
Surly Abrasive Ale

Discover more from Adam Chandler's Blog

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.