Howe Sound Brewing Company- Devil’s Elbow IPA: Howe Disappointing
Monday, September 13, 2010 at 6:44PM | by Jason 
This is another one of the brews that my friends Tracy & Adam brought back from their trip. I’m going to do this one out of turn as I was originally doing the reviews in the order that they picked them up on their trip. The reason, this is a brew from Canada and it comes in a 1 liter, wicked-ass “pot-stopper” bottle. In addition to that, I decided to share it with Master Steve because it would be a waste of a big bottle of brew if I hoarded it all to myself. I am really intrigued by this brew as it is from Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Company which is located 45 minutes north of Vancouver, BC. My question is how the hell did it end up at B & G Liquor Warehouse in Chippewa Falls, WI? Regardless, I’m ready from some (hopefully) great Canadian Craft Brew. Devil’s Elbow IPA is cracked and ready.
Howe Sound Brewing Company classifies this brew as an India Pale Ale (IPA) and their website describes Devil’s Elbow IPA as, “An assertive ale that is heavily bittered and dry-hopped providing an intensive aroma. Brewed using selected English and North American barely and hops. Named for the dramatic grade 4 Devil’s Elbow rapid on the Elcho River, north of Squamish, BC, Canada.”
Devil’s Elbow IPA pours a dark copper color with orange edges and a fat 2” dark cream colored head. The aroma is faint and almost non-existent but I do detect a very light hint of bready malts and some malt sweetness.
As much as I was hoping to really love this brew, I’m left feeling a little underwhelmed. What’s most confusing is that I detect no hop aroma at all…none! The flavor is somewhat baffling. It starts out with little to no presence and then greets you with a hoppy bit and then out of nowhere it disappears. This may sound strange but it’s not bad overall, the problem is that it’s not great. If given the option of purchasing Devil’s Elbow IPA again over other IPAs out there I’d probably not seek this one out. I’m really disappointed as this beer had everything going for it until I tasted it. Sorry Canada, I’m just not feeling it when it comes to Canadian Craft Brews but I’ll never stop trying.
ABV: 6.0%
Consumed: New Belgium Globe Glass
Verdict: Buy A Six Pack
