Barley John's 6 Knot IPA

Now, we get to the last of the 4 core Barley John's Brewing Company cans, brewed in New Richmond, Wisconsin. The brewpub had always had an IPA called Stockyard, (which I first reviewed in 2004), but they couldn't use that name anymore due to some body telling them they shouldn't, because of, you know, "We want that name, and we have lawyers." Stuff like that. Is it the same beer? I'm going to review it now, and look at the old notes later.....

Barley John's 6 Knot India Pale Ale. 6.9% ABV. 50 IBU.

Clouded, golden hue, large, lush, whitish head. Looking good.


Aroma is bursting with hoppy goodness, Pine, citrus and tropical notes aplenty popping up. Delightful.

In the mouth, it's more of that bouncing on the palate. Juicy, fruity, dry, and bitter. Lots of grapefruit, probably a good use of Cascades and other, but this is not a West Coast style at all, lots of other influences. Lottos earthy malt notes in it, too, and an overall balanced approach. Classic IPA all the way, with plenty of character and pedigree. Medium body and excellent session-ability. Good stuff, go ahead and drink it.

So, that's my take on the can in 2016. This seems to be exactly the same beer as Stockyard, re-named. I wonder if they changed the name at the brewpub? Anyway, here's more...


The website for the brewpub say this: Strong malt backbone with a present hop character, not as citrus and hoppy as the American IPA counterpart, our IPA  celebrates the more subtle British presentation of the style.

6.8% ABV | 50 IBU’s

Malts Used: 2-Row, Munich,  Crystal,  Wheat,  Aromatic | Hops Used: Warrior, East Kent Goldings, Whitbred Goldings, Challenger, Cascade | Yeast: House Strain

and the website for the brewery says this: 6 KNOT
MY IPA IS A BALANCED, LAYERED FLAVOR EXPERIENCE. MALT GOODNESS INTERTWINED WITH HOPPY INTRIGUE. I SWIPED THE BRITISH STYLE AND REPLACED THE MONARCHY WITH A GNOMARCHY.

6.9% ABV   |   50 IBUS

And in 2004, I took home a growler and wrote this:

Deep amber color, nearly crimson, with a tight, slight, bubbly head.
Aroma: citric, grapefruity, lively and enticing. Nice.
Taste: good initial bitterness, great match with malt, wonderful juiciness in the palate, fruity flavor just bursts forth, and feels like a Belgian style with a certain spicy/sugariness.
Rather light bodied, and smoothly drinkable.
Nice, if I were in New Brighton more often, this would be my drink of choice.
Looking at the other reviews, there might have been some change in the recipe or brewing, but, dagnabbit, I like it!