Earl Grey IPA – Yay or Nay?

I’m so thankful that my wife knows me so well. This birthday she managed to gift me 4 beers that I hadn’t tried before. Not only that, they all look fun and tasty, so let’s get started!

Today’s brew is from Salt Spring Island Ales and it’s an Earl Grey IPA! I have to say, I don’t think I’ve seen an earl grey IPA before, and given the amount of beers I have tasted, that is saying something.

The beer pours darker than I expected with minimal head. A whiff of this and you know you’re in for something different – a big ole nose of bergamot is what you get. You know in a way, it makes sense, the herbal citrus-ness of hops and bergamot could go together. Let’s sip and find out… Hmm, initially… it’s odd – not bad… not amazing, but, I’m going with… interesting I’m quite intrigued… As I continue to sip, this low carbonation, malty, hoppy tea beer makes more and more sense lol.

Should you go out and buy it – I say yes if you like to try something new and your expectations are to be intrigued. I think this would be fun to take to a beer tasting – it would certainly spark some lively conversation…

So, have you tried an Earl Grey IPA? Maybe this one? What were your thoughts?