Release the Kraken! Isn’t that what they did in Clash of the Titans? I don’t thinbk it went so well for them when they did, but you might have better luck than they releasing the tab off of a can of OC Brewing’s Kraken India Pale Ale. OC Brewing of Ocean City, Maryland, has a motto of “We do it dif’rent”. They even use a backwards “E” on their label. They also seem to produce a veritable plethora of beer styles. Just visit their website if you don’t believe me.
OC Brewing does not sell their beer in Georgia, but I got a can from the always-traveling Erik Bierbiker in a beer trade. Which he delivered personally. Isn’t that cool. OC Brewing calls Kraken India Pale Ale “The Beats of the East” on the label. They also say this:
Kraken is a true India Pale Ale. Its light malt flavor is overwhelmed by a tsunami of citrusy bitterness, combined with a strong hop nose and finish. “Wtach yourself or you will be consumed by the Kraken”.
The Kraken India Pale Ale has an alcohol content of 6% by volume. My sample was canned on March 3rd, 2015 and I drank it on May 6th.
The Kraken India Pale Ale pours to a murky orange amber color with a light head of tightly packed foam and a malty nose with light hints citrus and grassy hops. Taking a sip I get a fair caramel maltiness up front followed by some lightly zesty citrus peel hoppiness and finally a long dry bitter herbal hoppy finish.
This is a bit of an underwhelming IPA for me. I don’t get the big citrusy notes they advertise (I do get lighter ones though). They do call this a “true” IPA though and the malt body and herbal hoppiness support that contention, if you’re talking an old-school English style IPA. I think the hops are not correct for that, but kudos for the interesting name at the very least.
Still, when you set up a beer as “the beast of the east” and warn it might consume you before you consume it, there are certain expectations to be met. I think there are much better IPAs on the market I would drink before this one (if you’re in the Mid-Atlantic region, Victory Hop Devil comes to mind).
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