So, Bearded Iris Brewery of Nashville, Tennessee seems to be on everybody’s list of hot breweries these says. At least, I think so. That said, I wasn’t impressed at all with the first beer I tried from them: Bearded Iris Scatterbrain IPA. It was just too thin malty, and OK, it’s supposed to be a New England IPA, and I like those, but they have to have some malt to them folks.

Bearded Iris is a sort of one trick pony, in that about all they make are IPAs, and a lot of them New England IPAs. Which, I’m sure, will change when the fad passes. I did give them a second chance and picked up a 4-pack of Bearded Iris Homestyle IPA at Wild Hare Beer Company in Spring Hill Tennessee. The good news is that I liked this a lot better.

Why? This one is quite juicy hoppy like the Scatterbrain and has a bit more body to it. Perhaps there’s more malt, or more oats (I don’t know if Scatterbrain uses them, I suspect so) and supports the juicy juice better. Hey, you asked me why, so I’m telling you.

From the Bearded Iris website:

A soft, juicy IPA brewed with oats, and hopped singularly and intensely with Mosaic.
Notes of: Soft, Juicy, Mosaic

Bearded Iris Homestyle IPA has an alcohol content of 6% by volume and I paid $11.99 for the 4-pack of 16-ounce cans at Wild Hare.

Bearded Iris Homestyle IPA pours to a hazy orange color with a thin head of foam on a vigorous pour and a robust tropical fruity nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a smooth maltiness, not what I would call chewy but more present than in their last beer I tried. It’s very juicy indeed with orange and tangerine, grapefruit rind and pineapple and mango. Almost like POG (Pineapple Orange Guava) juice! Finishes minty and herbal with a hint of resin and a balancing, lingering bitterness.

Bearded Iris Homestyle IPA is dangerously drinkable, juicy and refreshing. OK folks, you’re one for two now. I’ll be on the lookout for more Bearded Iris beers to see how the averages bear out.  

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