Real Ale - Axis IPA Review

Real Ale out of Blanco, TX, is one of the state’s oldest craft breweries, and since 1996, they’ve remained as independent as a brand can get. They only serve beers in their home state of Texas to ensure that their product stays as fresh as possible, with the essence of each beer left intact through their unfiltered process.

One of their most iconic and recognizable beers is Axis IPA. It comes in a navy blue can with the image of an orange Axis deer looking right at you. But besides how the can looks, Axis IPA is revved up with Eureka, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops for a classic hop flavor that seems to never go out of fashion.

Few beers carry such weight on their shoulders, so let's see how this beast coming in at 7.1% ABV and 60 IBU stands up.

First Impressions:

• On the Eyes--Golden and actually quite clear considering its definite unfiltered look—a very iconic look for Real Ale beers—and topped with a stable cream-colored head.

• On the Nose--Earthy and citrusy with the distinct qualities of Simcoe and Mosaic hops (both Brew house favorites), and a touch of berry and tropical fruit to lighten it up. Very complex, but promising aggression.

• On the Palate--And there’s the aggression! Axis IPA is squeezed down to the pith with citrus flavor and bitterness accompanied by dense, earthy, and floral hop flavors. I get berry, a typical Mosaic flavor, but with a little more ‘wildness’ to it, almost in that black currant realm. The bitterness is sharp and clean through the medium body and it finishes dry with a lingering citrus peel flavor.

Food Pairings: Real Ale suggests pairing Axis IPA with Roasted Pork Carnitas (also a Brew house favorite), Spicy Braised Tofu, and Fried Cheese Curds.

Final Thoughts:

Creating a great product and then imitating it over and over takes dedication, hard work, and a commitment to quality—all principles Real Ale has taken to their core. Axis IPA is aggressive and punchy, but also consistent and true. It’s a beer we in the Brew house have been going back to for years. Its citrus flavor, tropical fruit notes, touch of berry, and overall attitude make it fun to drink and a great place to start on a Texas craft beer adventure. And the high ABV will make you feel pretty good too.

There’s a lot of people moving into the great state of Texas nowadays, and if you’re new here, or new to the craft brew scene, and you see that orange Axis deer looking at you, make sure you take this icon home. It’ll teach you a lot about Texas IPAs.

Cheers!

Mr. Brew