Back in November of 2009, a new player arrived on the Georgia brewing scene: Jailhouse Brewing of Hampton, Georgia. Using equipment bought from the old Buckhead Brewery (I used to hang out there!), Jailhouse hit the local scene running but their beers weren’t exactly easy to find. Curious of the beers and the mystique around this brewery literally built in an old jailhouse, I toured them in 2010 and they’ve been a favorite for me ever since.
One of their very first beers and now a flagship brew is Mugshot IPA, a classic American-style IPA. For a long time, Mugshot IPA was sold only on draft and in 22-ounce bomber bottles, but recently Jailhouse began selling it in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles. Breakout Stout, Misdemeanor Ale and Slammer Wheat are also available in six-packs, much to the delight of Jailhouse fans near and far.
Jailhouse Mugshot IPA has an alcohol content of 6.7% by volume per their website but 6.5% per my bottle. Both claim 50 IBUs. It runs $9.99 a six-pack at Total Wine, $1 high for me, and Taco Mac sells pints for $5.50. Still, the bottled price is an improvement on the $5.49 I was paying for bombers.
Ingredients from the website:
Malt - U.S. malted 2-row barley and caramel
Hops- Pacific Gem, Chinook, Cascade and Centennial
The Jailhouse creed:
“If you believe in the little man, small towns and big flavor, then you’re one of us”.
Obviously, I do believe in these things, which is why I drink craft beer. I’ll add to that by noting that Jailhouse is my favorite Georgia brewer. With all the beer I drink, you have to work to get that designation, but Jailhouse certainly has earned it.
Jailhouse Mugshot IPA pours to a slightly hazy orange amber color with a prodigious rocky head formation and a lovely nose of resiny pine tar and citric orange. Taking a sip, the beer has a generous dose of caramelly malt up front that’s quickly followed by the hops: resiny just like the nose, then some citrus chimes in in the aroma and flavor as the beer progresses on the palate, and finally imparting a very long, dry bitter finish on the tongue that lingers long after you’re done sipping. As it warms, watch for some grassy character from the Sterlings. I sure got some. There’s a thick layer of Brussels Lace on the sides of my glass as the liquid descends, too.
I get more resin than citrus here myself, but both come out nicely, and everything is balanced in good proportion. Really, balance is the keyword here: the malt and hops support each other and complement each other. This beer is not out of balance like so many “West Coast/San Diego IPAs” today.
An excellent old school American IPA that still satisfies my malt craving while supplying the hops I live for as well. Well done Jailhouse! You guys rock!
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft