As a beer reviewer, there are three types of free beer that cross my path:

The latter happens all too infrequently, but does happen. Fairport, N.Y. Bureau Chief Brian Moritz and I have worked out a system where I procure bombers of Switchback beers (when I see them) and he passes along something fun in trade. Very recently, some Friends of Al Dente™ came back from a weekend in New Hampshire with cans from the Woodstock Inn Brewery. They raved about their weekend at an inn in North Woodstock that was just across the street from brewery and it was great that they could just amble back to their room by foot afterwards. Then, Allison told me that they brought me back beer. She said didn’t like it and was sure I would hate it.

So, gee, thanks for the gift?

I do this to The Wife all of the time. “Smell this. It smells like shit,” or “Taste this. It’s awful.” I like to share my discomfort with others, particularly with the woman who dishes it back as well as she can take it. Still though, this was a foreboding introduction to a beer I had never drank.

I’ll skip ahead here and say that Allison was wrong about the Woodcock Inn Brewery’s 4000 Footer IPA. It was fine. It wasn’t awful, certainly. It was a little lighter bodied than the average IPA, though the brewery claims an 82 IBU. The beer pours copper, which is different for an India pale ale, but the flavor profile matches. It has a citrusy nose, citrusy body and a resinous finish. The hops don’t really bite nor are they particularly bold, which is odd for a dry-hopped beer. I wonder exactly why they chose a mild hop (Goldings) for this part of the process, but I’m just a humble reviewer that received free beer.

So, no, I didn’t hate this beer. It’s fine. If anything, I’m indifferent about it. I’ll drink the rest of it because it’s in my fridge and check into it on Untappd, but I can’t say that I would go out of my way to seek this out.

Brewer: Woodcock Inn Brewery

Beer: 4000 Footer IPA

Style: IPA

ABV: 6.8% IBU: 82

Container: 12 oz. can

Price: N/A

To The Eye: Copper with a foamy head that hung around for a little while.

To The Nose: All citrus. Lemon, orange, grapefruit.

To The Palate: Light-bodied, low carbonation, and a bright citrusy flavor. Bitter lemon and tart grapefruit present. Hop flavors are present but not overpowering.

Aftertaste: Dry and resinous with a funky pine flavor.

Boozy Factor: Pretty low.

On a Scale of 1 to 10, with 10 as highest: 7.0