Beer Stats

• Packaging: 12 oz. Can
• BJCP Style: Specialty IPA
• ABV: 5.8%
• Hops Variety: Chinook, CTZ, Citra, El Dorado, Mosaic
• Malts Variety: US Pilsner, Local US Wheat, Flaked oats
• Brewery:  https://www.archesbrewing.com/
• Beer Connoisseur Rating: 83

LUDB Tasting Notes

• Bitterness Level: Moderate*
• Drinkability:
  • Would I buy it again? Yes
  • Would I stock it? No

Appearance: Pours clear, gold color forming a fluffy white head with good retention. Turns hazy after a few minutes. Fast rising bubbles.
Aroma: Citrus and herbal notes from hops.
Flavor & Aftertaste:  Citrus, herbal and earthy hops. Bread malt. Moderate bitterness to balance mild sweetness.
Palate:  Semi-dry with low carbonation. Medium length finish with bitter finish.
Balance & Drinkability:  Hop forward, reminiscent of IPA. Approachable for IPA fans and Lager fans alike.

Commentary

The curious case of the India Pale Lager (IPL). What exactly is an IPL anyway? Is it the best of two worlds – the hop forwardness of IPA and the crisp, clean profile of a Lager? To the untrained amateur palate, such as mine, the differences are barely detectable. The obvious difference is technical. IPA is top fermented at warmer temperatures using Ale yeast. IPL is bottom fermented at colder temperatures using Lager yeast. To the beer drinker, the differences are a little more subtle. The nature of the fermentation process for Ales tends to bring out fruity and spicy esters; whereas, Lagers exhibit much lower level of those characteristics, if at all. Lagers are well know for their clean, more crisp profiles. This sets up an interesting juxtaposition for the beer enthusiast who is a staunch IPA loyalists. Is an IPL a boring, less flavorful IPA or is it a beer that exhibits the best of Ale and Lager characteristics? Not that you have to pick . In fact, I would encourage you not to, because there is plenty of room for both styles to flourish.

I can see where fans of big, hoppy IPAs and complex Belgian Ales might would consider IPL a poor imitation of IPA; however, I would submit to you that it is a best of both worlds beer. IPL provides an opportunity to showcase distinct characteristics of hops varieties. I enjoy a complex beer as much as the next person; however, sometimes there is just too much going on to enjoy certain characteristics of the hops ingredients for what they are. That clean, crisp malt profile of a Lager can allow the characteristics of the hops additions to shine a little more.

Arches Brewing is a small craft brewery south of downtown Atlanta. They focus mostly on Lagers and do a super job of producing quality beers. I have yet to have anything from them I didn’t like. When they introduced Triboulet IPL, I was excited at the prospect of trying a Lager in that style vs an Ale; but had no idea what to expect. Triboulet is not widely distributed, even in the Atlanta market. It was a limited release in October/November; but some has found its way onto the shelves of a few local package stores and Total Wine locations. The IPLs that are starting to pop up around the craft beer world are well worth checking out. I encourage you to give them a try and let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading and until next time…Let Us Drink Beer!

*Bitterness Scale: None, Restrained, Moderate, Aggressive, & Excessive