"Dundee" with no Crocodiles

Look at this image
for educational
reasons only.
Do not consume this
beverage because
of this image.

I recently had the opportunity of trying Dundee's IPA with my good friend Alex.  IPA's are not my usual favorite with their excessive bitterness and all, but this one was pleasantly refreshing.  Alex commented that the beer had the "bitterness of velvet" and the "softness of pillow cushions."  This description is completely accurate and not much more insight into the beer need be given.

Fan of IPA's Owen Smigelski(he appears to be some writer for Examiner.com) writes this: "When tasted, hops is almost totally lacking.  There is also no bitterness [...]. Without any hops or bitter flavor, this is one beer that fails to live up to the IPA name. Although the beer itself has a decent flavor, it is certainly not an India Pale Ale, and thus a disappointment."

An IPA that does not taste like an IPA?  This is a victory.  

It appears as though the extreme bitterness of IPA's(Indian Pale Ale) came out of a time when excessive hopping(hops gives the beer it's bitterness) was one of the few ways to preserve the beer over long ship voyages.  They were fixing a problem that we no longer have.

In the face of no beer or an excessively bitter beer, of course we choose the beer.  That is a given.  But, given the choice between Flavors blended nicely with a "velvety" bitter finish and anything from "Stone Brewery"(they definitely know where to find bittering hops) we must let our good sense decide.

I, for one, choose the taste of "pillow cushions and velvet."

Until next time remember, there is a reason being bitter is a bad thing...nobody will want to play with you...expect that weird guy.

Special thanks to Alex(beer enthusiast with a knack for appropriate imagery)

***All images used are used for educational purposes.