Franciscan Well - Chieftain IPA

[Parky]

Loved the Franciscan Well 'Rebel Red', so decided to give their Chieftain IPA a try on draught in Oscar's (Smithfield) at the weekend.

Very nice dark amber colour (similar to Rebel Red), slightly hazy with a tight creamy white head. Medium body with a huge hit of grapefruit from the citra hops, which could have been overpowering, but were balanced just right with the caramel of the malt. Sweet floral and citrus aroma, with just a hint of that caramel in the background. Overall, a really drinkable pint - light and refreshing, and was our drink of choice for the night.

Overall a very drinkable IPA, but would probably dial the citra hops back a bit, as I woke up the next morning and EVERYTHING tasted of citrus

Any thoughts?

Cheers, Parky

[Taf]

Dial it back??? It's a decent IPA and seems to have improved since first coming out, but wouldn't dial the hops back any. It's all subjective though.

[Chris]

I like Chieftain had it in the Rochestown park at the weekend though I felt the hops were a lot more pronounced the last time I had it in the well. I was just delighted to be able to drink an IPA at a wedding.

[LordEoin]

i was kinda disappointed with it the first time I tried it a few months back, but had a pint recently and enjoyed every drop.

[baphomite51]

i had it back last november maybe? and thought it was much better, its like they castrated it since

[Will_D]

Had a pint in the Empire in Swords - thought it was very good - certaily hoppy enough.

Was charge €6 a pint tho' 

[nigel_c]

I like the stuff. Slightly sweet but I put it down toady be cascade. Had it a while back and it really have reintroduced me to some of the basic tried and tested c hops.

[jawalemon]

I had it once in the Waterloo on bagott St. It tasted like it had been there for ages with not much hop taste or smell. I might try it again elsewhere  based on the above descriptions.

[Parky]

It tasted like it had been there for ages with not much hop taste or smell

We actually revisited this one in Oscars (Smithfield, Dublin) a few times since I first posted, as it had been a big hit with Mrs Parky.

The next time we tasted it in October it was just awful, none of that high hop aroma or flavour, very dull, tasted a bit off and neither of us could even finish our pints.

More recently though it's been very good indeed, nice hopping and a sweetish taste. The hops and malt were a lot more balanced than our first tasting in September - none of that citrus blast that lasted 'til the next morning, so it gets a thumbs up from me 

Interesting to see such variations in the flavour though.

[tommotaylor]

I tasted this Chieftan IPA at the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch, London the other night and absolutely fell in love with. A super smooth, creamy but hoppy beer. Never had anything like it.

Would anyone have any suggestions as to how to recreate this? I'm currently a successful extract brewer, yet to dabble into AG but this could convince me.

From the Beer Guild UK website:

Malts: Pearl, Wheat and Crystal
Hops: Citra, Tettanger and Magimum (sp. - Magnum)

Any ideas of how to try and make this with extract and a partial mash? Or perhaps if theres no way, how to do it all grain?

Thanks