flessa ipa

The hops have always played the main role in India Pale Ale : the green gold extended the shelf life when the IPA was still brewed to supply colonial rulers, and today it is the main supplier of the fruity, resinous or grassy taste and the indispensable bitterness of the popular ale beers. When it comes to choosing hops, today’s craft brewers can access a huge repertoire of different varieties, and new specimens are added every year that shine with new aromas.

The India Pale Ale from the Berlin Kiezbrauerei Flessa also revolves around the precious umbels. The brewers describe their modern interpretation as “strongly hopped and fruity” — just the way we like our IPAs! The look is also to our liking: Flessa’s brew pours into the glass in a shiny peach gold and shimmers in a magnificent fox red. An airy crown of ivory foam completes the picture. The olfactory first impression is just as positive. Mango, orange, lemon zest and pine resin on the nose, initially a lot of mild malt on the tongue. The grain makes its rounds before the hops come into play, bringing a gentle bitterness, tart grapefruit, juicy tropical fruit and golden mango. The bitterness is kept within limits and is more of a subtle, fine note in the finish.