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Avatar Jasmine IPA
Seattle, Washington
BJCP Category: 21A Spice, Herb, Vegetable
Elysian Brewing Co. <visit site>
41
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[expand]Total Score: 40/50
This is a very nice beer that presents itself as an English IPA. If not told there were jasmine flowers in this beer, I would not have known it and attributed the floral notes to the hops. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Initially alcohol, floral and fruity notes dominate. Clean, bright aroma with moderately-high earthy and floral hop aroma. Toasted malt undertones. I don’t recognize jasmine; however, this may blend with, and hide behind, the hops. There is no DMS or diacetyl. As the beer warms, the IPA character is a more balanced combination of malt, hops and alcohol. This seems to be based on an English IPA classic style. (9/12)
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Appearance: Golden color. Slight chill haze; that’s OK in this sort of ale. Dense, rocky, long-lasting head. (3/3)
Flavor: Soft malt backbone with toasted malt highlights and caramel notes up front. Hop bitterness is moderate to high. Hop flavor is earthy and floral; English IPA in nature. Somewhat muted when cold but brightens as it warms a little. Are the floral notes the hops alone or the jasmine influence? One would expect a more assertive jasmine character. Fruity fermentation esters of apricots and pears. No DMS. Low diacetyl. Finish is dry with lingering hop bitterness and noticeable alcohol. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium body with a thinner mouthfeel from high carbonation. Low hop derived astringency. Some noticeable alcohol warming. Smooth mouthfeel. (5/5)
Overall Impression: This is a very nice beer that presents itself as an English IPA. If not told there were jasmine flowers in this beer, I would not have known it and attributed the floral notes to the hops. The jasmine may be just a bit too subtle for this category. A very good IPA; however, my sample seems a bit muted and blurred. Have this with some well-aged, eight-year-old cheddar. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 42/50
An archetypical IPA with British leanings that manages to showcase the specialty ingredient. more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Floral, orange blossom honey up front, followed and supported with graham cracker toasty malt, and notes of orange peel citrus. Clean yeast character, though as the sample warms, hints of stone fruit emerge and floral spicy jasmine aroma is clearly apparent. (9/12)
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Appearance: Golden; very clear with creamy, persistent off-white head. At first seems slightly hazy, but the effect is from a continual rise of a mist of tiny bubbles. (3/3)
Flavor: Toasty graham cracker malt dominates at first, then gives way to firm hop bitterness with orange citrus hop flavor in the background. Hop bitterness increases in intensity, lingers far into the finish as herbal, earthy floral flavors of jasmine emerge toward the end. Undertones of jasmine flavor are found where hop flavor is expected. Clean, light stone fruitiness of fermentation character. Each characteristic dominates at some point, giving the impression of balance among all. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied with creamy carbonation; silky. No astringency. Clean finish supported with a lingering alcohol warmth. (5/5)
Overall Impression: An archetypical IPA with British leanings that manages to showcase the specialty ingredient. All components are balanced on the stage of supporting toasty graham cracker maltiness, with each ingredient taking a bow. The subtle orange blossom-like jasmine flavor and aroma evoke memories of balmy spring evenings of late spring and high school crushes. An enjoyable beer by the pint! (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 40/50
Nicely done. The selling point of this beer is a well-balanced, complex aroma that marries malt, hops and jasmine. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: I immediately pick up herbal and floral notes from the jasmine, layered on top of a toasted malt base. There are also light lemony and citrus notes─perhaps on the low side for an American IPA, but they work well with the jasmine to give a complex aroma. I get a little graininess as the beer settles. (10/12)
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Appearance: Polished copper color with reddish highlights and excellent clarity. The creamy white head has good beading and dissipates slowly. Nice conditioning. (3/3)
Flavor: Jasmine is prevalent throughout, with distinctive floral and herbal notes that fade into a resiny, slightly bitter character reminiscent of uncooked artichokes. The malt provides some backbone along with light caramel and toasted breadcrumb notes. The finish has a long intense bitterness from both hops and what are likely tannins from the jasmine. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: The creaminess and carbonation are exemplary, but the astringency is a little too aggressive, even for the IPA style. It leaves a resiny coating on the back and the sides of the tongue that lingers for several seconds. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Nicely done. The selling point of this beer is a well-balanced, complex aroma that marries malt, hops and jasmine. The flavor is not quite as smooth, with some harshness from the combination of high hop bitterness and tannins from the jasmine. Backing off on the IBUs a little (similar to what was done with the aroma hops) would give a better balance and smoother finish without shifting it out of the IPA style. This was a well-crafted and innovative beer that was a pleasure to sample. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 42/50
Tastes like an English IPA. The jasmine is rather subtle but well-integrated. Not sure I would have known it if it wasn’t declared. more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Bready, biscuity malt, with some nutty and toasty qualities. Strong English base malt character. Moderate fruit. Very soft caramel. Nicely aromatic. Clean; nothing off. Moderately floral; is this the jasmine? The floral and fruity character and bready malt give it a very English character. (10/12)
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Appearance: Tall head, off-white color, persistent. Slight haze. Golden-amber color. (2/3)
Flavor: Malt-forward, bready/biscuity with a medium to medium-high hop bitterness. The dry finish is a little minerally. A touch of caramel and nutty malt gives it some complexity. Moderate fruity esters. A slight tea-like flavor. Moderately floral─hops or jasmine or both? Light orange flavor. Well-blended flavors. Jasmine is subtle, but adds to the floral aspect of the beer. It enhances the presentation nicely. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium to medium-full body, a bit thick. Medium carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel. Lightly warming but not hot. Not astringent, although it is drying in the finish. Smooth. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Tastes like an English IPA. The jasmine is rather subtle but well-integrated. Not sure I would have known it if it wasn’t declared. The jasmine has hop-like qualities (floral and fruity notes, which are typical of English hops). A little heavy in the body but very clean and easy to drink. It seemed like I was drinking an interesting English IPA rather than a spice beer, which is one of the keys to success in this style. Good concept, well executed. (9/10)
