Abita Wrought Iron IPA

[Beer-lord]

I've been honest about my feelings for Abita......good brews but not great. They definitely cater to the mass public and I totally understand that. Sometimes they've done some exceptional seasonal and private beers so I know they have the ability to kick ass if it would fit in to their financial picture.
So, I figured I'd try one of their newest beers:

Abita Wrought Iron® IPA embodies the resilient, indestructible nature of New Orleans. This india pale ale is forged with the intensity of Apollo, Equinox and Mosaic Hops. Brewed with pale ale malt for a golden color as bright as iron from a fiery forge.

Besides the tiring story of what Katrina did to us (and I am glad its going further and further in the past) we need to look ahead and while remembering the past, change the future. I believe if world leaders had great beer at their discussion tables, we'd live in a better place.
OK, now beer talk.....(no pics, sorry) the beer pours a purdy lite amberish-orange with a frothy, here to stay head and lacing. I don't know what Equinox hops bring but I've used Mosaci and Apollo and the aroma does have some of the earthiness that Apollo brings. It reminds me of some of NOLA Breweries IPA's, lots of up front hop bite that pretty much stays until the end.
It's pretty typical for many IPA's but what its missing, IMO, is some flavor. It seems that the malts have no place in this IPA or are hidden. Sad because I think that the only way to make a good IPA is to balance the hops with the malts just right but when one takes over too much, it loses.
Still, if you like IPA's and can get this, it's worth a try.

[John Sand]

Thanks. I tried Captain Lawrence Freshchester Pale on Thursday, and again today. I was much better the first time, on tap, then today bottled. It's a hoppy pale, but the hops were brighter and fresher on tap, a bit sharp today.

[RedBEERd]

I had a Wrought Iron tonite as my first beer and it was better than the one I had yesterday, likely because I hadn't ruined my palette yet. Todays had aroma (a little) and was dank. I wouldn't want to drink this AFTER another hoppy beer and I'd LIKE to try it on draft before I make a full decision but at least its more than drinkable.

[Kealia]

I tried this recently (thanks Paul) and would agree with his assessment. It's a good IPA, but doesn't stand out in today's field. Nevertheless, there's nothing to complain about either.

Sorry, no pic.

[BlackDuck]

I've got no pic either. I actually liked this quite a bit. Nice hop aroma and flavor and very drinkable. But I think I would call it more of a Double Pale Ale, or an Imperial Pale Ale, if there is such a thing. I guess what I mean is that its a bit more hoppy than a pale ale but not quite as hoppy as an IPA. Either way, I enjoyed it very much. Thanks Paul for sending one my wAy!

[Beer-lord]

Still have a few in the fridge. Draft is just about the same. All Abita tastes the same to me meaning, I can tell an Abita beer with my eyes closed. But I can say the same with Stone, NOLA, Sierra Nevada as well as my own beers.