Rumble IPA surprises with subtle nutty flavor

Rumble IPA

When I hear about an oak-aged IPA, I think back to the origins of the style, with casks of hoppy ale stored in a ships' holds sailing to quench the thirst of British soldiers. 

It's not everyday that I use the words "subtle" and "nutty" to describe an IPA. Usually, I like my IPAs on the sweet, aggressive and hoppy side. But Rumble challenges my assumptions on the style. 

It pours a dark amber, with a decent head. If you've wondered why they call it lacing, Rumble will happily show you.

Right away, when you sniff Rumble, you can tell that it's different. The hop aroma is there, just like any IPA, but there's also a hint of vanilla and a nutty aroma that I've never come across in the style. 

While I'm used to a sweet malty first taste, Rumble answers with the vanilla and nutty tastes. Then there's a subtly sweet maltiness, followed of course by the hops. The interesting thing is that the nutty favor comes back and lingers with the traditional citrus and pine flavors imparted by the hops. 

The more I drink, the more intrigued I become with Rumble. It comes across as an older, wiser IPA, that asks to be savored.