New Irish* IPAs - Part 2

All of the beers tasted below were purchased in O'Brien's, who have a pretty decent selection of craft beers, and apologies for the length of time it has taken to post this second post after my resurrection. I thought I had my full mojo back, but it appears it has not fully regrown, yet.


All beers were tasted with Herself on this occasion and she concurred with my opinions.

Fourpure American Pale Ale 5% abv 33cl €2.75
Yes! this is lovely. Definitely in the American style, it's slightly lighter at 5% then a big beeft APA but the core flavours are present and correct. Im getting some nice citrusy notes and the merest suggestion of tropical fruit. Personally I'd love to try this at 6%, but they have got the American Pale ale spot on, which is no mean feat and something very few Irish* breweries have done.
*For some reason I thought this was Irish, not sure why as a quick glance at the can and indeed their website, clearly shows they are London based. I had already written the above, so screw it.

Rascals Wunderbar IPA 6% abv 33cl €2.90
Hmmm, tasted straight after the fourpure this lacks complexity. Its strong and it has ample piney flavours but that's about it.

Jack Cody's Lazy Eye 6.3% abv 50cl €3.55
Dark and lightly carbonated. quite fruity in a red ale way. not a citrussy way. Tasty though, herself likes it.

Hope Handsome Jack  6.6% abv 33cl €2.90
By contrast this is quite bubbly and looks like a lager in the glass. That likeness is dispelled the moment the glass approaches the nose though, as there is a big whiff of tropical fruit.  On the palate the fruit is again dominant, but there's something missing, some tiny depth in the flavour. It's not lacking in alcohol, weighing in at a muscular 6.6%, but for me it's a near miss, just slightly too light for me. Although, as it warms up, it's clawing back the fullness, so what do I know. If you like your beers tropical this is one for you.

Wicklow Wolf IPA 6.3% abv 50cl €4.00
To be honest, this beer is a sure thing. I love it in bottles and and the rare occasion when I have had it on draft, I love it even more. There is no dominant flavour as such, just a very nicely balanced beer. There's some pine, some grapefruit and a lingering, full finish.