The
bottles that I purchased were of the 650mL variety, and came with a
stern-looking bearded gent on the label, as well as the statement that
Instigator is "easy to drink and great with food and friends if you have
any." As I was sipping on this 6.5% ale by my lonesome, I was briefly
perturbed. "Do I have any friends?" I wondered. Fortunately this
malaise was followed quickly by "Oh yeah, many." Existential crises thus
averted, on to the beer.
Instigator is a lazy,
hazy orange-gold ale that pours with a hefty measure of off-white head.
It produces a hospitable and cozy aroma of bitter grapefruit. This nose
is rebroadcast in the flavour, where citrus elements and juicy hop
notes are at the fore. En arrière, there is a modest malt presence that
seems to want to be noticed, but which struggles to assert itself above
the clamour and clang of hops. As expected, the finish is fairly dry and
fairly bitter.
As Indie Ale House's flagship
brew, Instigator does its job pretty well. It's a pleasant little ale
with a great flavour and not too much booze. It's by no means
forgettable, but it isn't unique either. Rather, it's a well made beer
with lots to enjoy. It makes the drinker want to try more of I.A.H.'s
lineup, which is where they branch out into more memorable and risky beers.
Rating: 8.0 out of 10.
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