Wolaver’s Organic IPA
Family India Pale Ale Country USA (VT)
ABV 6.5%
Producer Otter Creek
Price $$
Packaging 12oz/355ml bottle
Characteristics Bitter, hoppy
Overview Vermont’s organic Wolaver’s beers
were contract brewed by Otter
Creek starting in 1998. The
Wolaver family was so happy with
the results that in 2002 they
bought Otter Creek and merged
the companies. The Wolaver’s
lineup continues to be all-organic.
Flavors and aromas The nose has
citrusy hops and toasty malt,
which is an odd combination. The
first impression of this beer in the
mouth is one of sweet, grainy malt
and flavor hops, but bitterness
marches in at its own pace and
gradually takes over, building into
a gripping, somewhat astringent
center for the beer. Our tasters felt
that this IPA lacked complexity, but
they generally liked it. If you’re
nervous about bitterness in beer,
this is probably a beer to leave on
the shelf.