Rebellion IPA

Great British Beer Festival 2010

ABV: 3.7%
Origin: Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England
Website: http://www.rebellionbeer.co.uk/

Rebellion IPA

Rebellion, founded in 1993 and now a decently sized and highly respected micro, has kept the flag flying for brewing in the Thamesside town of Marlow since Whitbread closed the historic Wethereds brewery –its founders originally hoped it could be incorporated in the redevelopment of the old brewery site but this was not to be. Its beers show a flair for memorable and distinctive flavours which has secured it a good distribution in the free trade. The multi-award winning IPA is its best seller — not a true IPA in the historic sense but a beer of good hop character and an impressive amount of flavour for a low strength. I finally got round to trying it on cask at this year’s GBBF.

It’s a lovely amber colour, with a little just off-white head. A creamy and fruity aroma has toffee and nut notes, leading to a tasty, nutty and lightly sappy palate, marvellously balanced, which in my sample was in perfect condition. There are complex notes of leafy hop and a chewy, drying, lightly mouth coating finish with emerging grittiness, autumnal fruit and a late hop sting. A British real ale classic.

Read more about this beer at ratebeer.com: http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/rebellion-ipa/14258/