Beer Review: OT 20 IPA

By Julia Burke, Beer Editor

While discovering several great beer spots on a trip to Rochester last week, I was given a sample bottle of this house IPA (they had run out of the draught version) at The Old Toad after two of the bartenders raved about it. I had never heard bar staff talk about a house beer with such enthusiasm, but barkeep Rob Adamthwaite assured me it was a must-try: “We went through six kegs in the first week!”

Made by Custom Brewcrafters in Honeoye Falls, NY in commemoration of the beloved pub’s 20th anniversary, OT 20 features Citra hops, a fairly new, high alpha-acid (10-12%) variety designed in 2008 that is known for releasing particularly fruity aromas.

OT 20 in the glass is a hazy summer-sunset orange with a two-finger head and excellent, firm lacing which remains fully intact throughout consumption.

The nose presents a lovely bouquet of particularly apricot/pineapple/peach/mango-y hops, with a touch of yeast esters, and a bit of caramel from a faint but assertive malt presence.

The mouthfeel shows nice layering -- the hops come in waves, filling out on the mid-palate but razor-sharp on the back palate, leaving a finish that persists for quite some time.

This is one solid IPA made with love for a bar staffed with certified hop-heads.

As far as I’m concerned, mouthfeel is where an IPA sinks or swims, and this one does a butterfly-stroke on the palate. A welcome effort made from a Finger Lakes brewery for a fantastic pub.

Producer: Custom Brewcrafters for The Old Toad Pub
ABV: 8.6%
Sample Size: 25 oz. bottle (750 mL) (Normally on draught)
Stemware: Pint glass
Availability: Specialty/Pub Draught
Price: $6/pint*
Rating: A-

(Note: We have been shopping around for an effective and clear beer rating system; I’m using the A-F grading system in the meantime because it’s in wide use in the craft beer world. Please feel free to offer any feedback as to what sort of beer rating format you’d like to see, whether it’s a 100-point scale, a 1-5 star scale, or something different. We welcome your suggestions!)

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Comments

[jules]

Cool blog. Mind if I re-post this on the Guinness facebook page to let people know about it?
www.facebook.com/GuinnessUS

[Julia Burke]

Jules - Feel free. Diageo can learn something from the little guys :)

[Rob -the old toad]

Hey julia, think the abv. is around 8.6. Awesome articles as well, glad you liked it here, you're more than welcome to come back and try some more delisious beers with us!!

[Julia Burke]

Hey Rob, thanks for the tip - I'll make the correction. I think the 7.2 number was someone's guess at the bar. I'm so glad you liked the post and I will absolutely be back as soon as I can!