The Summer Ale Festival at the Philadelphia Zoo was an event that just kept on giving. I had so many new beers and breweries I didn’t even know existed served up to me on a platter.

One of the real standouts for me was the Reviver Red IPA from Starr Hill Brewery.

This was the first time I ever had a red IPA. What is a Red IPA? Basically, it’s a stronger, hoppier amber ale that blurs the line between an American Amber Ale and an India Pale Ale.

2-Row, Wheat, Crystal & Chocolate malts provide the luxurious ruby-red hue, medium body and firm sweet maltiness, while Amarillo, Citra, Columbus, Mosaic & Simcoe hops impart a refreshing citrus aroma and flavor.

Pouring deep ruby-red with a copper tint, amazing clarity and off-white loose head leaving lasting lacing on the glass.

Image credit: Starr Hill Brewery (I was unable to get a good photo at the zoo)

Reviver’s scent showcases the malt and hops that make up this excellent beer, with a combination of the caramel malty sweet with a tropical fruit bitter. The fruit and the caramel notes merge well for an overall sweet nose.

The flavor is not unlike the nose, leaning towards the sweet malt more than the bitter hops, with deep caramel, toast, and cocoa shining through. Never too sweet, and not too bitter – it sits wondrously between the IPA and American Amber Ale styles.

The tropical and citrus fruit mix with the hops to leave a wonderful lingering sweet bitterness in your mouth, just begging you to drink more.

Medium to full bodied, Reviver is fuller than most IPAs. The creamy texture of the beer keeps the bitter hops in line.

A hybrid, amber-hued IPA, this is a great example of how blending beer styles can turn out well. Starr Hill Brewery’s Reviver Red IPA is Spring seasonal that masterfully combines the malty qualities of an amber ale with the citrus and pine qualities of an American IPA.

This is only a Spring seasonal offering from Starr Hill Brewery, available from February to April, but they continue to sample it at beer festivals – so be sure to check them out if you have the opportunity. They really should make this a year round beer.

 

  • ABV: 6.2%
  • IBU: 45
  • Style: India Pale Ale
  • Taste: 
  • Rating: 4.3/5
  • Untappd reviews
Andrij Harasewych
Editor at The Craft Beer Diaries. Devoted husband and father. Excessively geeky. Comic books, video games, and craft beer are my vices. Favorite beer style easily the IPA. Growing love for the DIPA, specifically.
Andrij Harasewych

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