Wylam, based in Northumberland, are a powerhouse in North East England brewing. Consistently putting out great beer after great beer, their Macchiato porter being a particular favourite. This time though and now pouring at The Craftsman Company is Jakehead, a supercharged American style IPA.
Built on a solid base of Golden Promise malt, a light and rich malt that is particularly popular in American style IPAs, and ‘supercharged’ with Chinook, Centennial and Citra hops. It pours a rich brown that settles to a golden amber colour with a thick, off white head that dissipates slowly. The nose hints at the malt base with notes of caramel but isn’t overly sweet, there are stone fruits as well as grapefruit and light citrus hoppiness in there too. It drinks well with a medium carbonation and a nice smooth body. The initial tastes are hops, hops and more hops!
They weren’t joking when they said this was supercharged! The bitterness from the hops is quite complex, fruity and with a slight grassy dank flavours working well with the malt. It just makes you want to keep taking mouthfuls and is a very drinkable IPA at 6.3%. The finish is really clean and crisp with the hops hanging on well into the aftertaste.
Thanks to Lisa MacLeod for the review!
