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[expand]Total Score: 42/50
A showcase for hops that has not forgotten the roots of malt underpinnings. Very easy to drink despite the substantial alcohol. more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Bright citrus hop aroma with supporting pale malt backbone and moderately high alcohol. Some fruity, apricot, and peach esters. No DMS, no diacetyl. Very inviting aroma. (10/12)
Appearance: Light orange-amber color. Hazy but acceptable for high hopping rates. Dense, tan, rocky, long-lasting head. A brighter clarity would make the appearance more appealing; still, within expectations for an IPA. (3/3)
Flavor: Sweet pale and caramel-noted malt up front with high hop bitterness and a citrus, peachy hop flavor. Moderately high alcohol leaves a drier finish. No DMS. Low diacetyl—OK. Well-balanced for a big IPA with a bitter finish. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Smooth mouthfeel. Medium to medium-full body. Generous yet subtle alcohol warming. Bitterness lingers but there is no to very low hop-derived astringency. Carbonation a bit low, perhaps due to the canning process. (4/5)
Overall Impression: A showcase for hops that has not forgotten the roots of malt underpinnings. Very easy to drink despite the substantial alcohol. Well crafted. Initial impression is sweet malt then lingering bitterness with a body/mouthfeel north of medium. Attention to haze and carbonation would be welcomed. Quite drinkable in quantity, but really good with wings and jalapeño poppers to help manage the heat. (8/10)
Total Score: (42/50)
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[expand]Total Score: 36/50
This beer reflects an exuberance of youth, with kind of a rough-and-tumble, over-the-top presentation of caramel malt and assertive hop character. The soft carbonation level gives a sort of pub-draft texture more >
[close]Total Score: 36/50
Aroma: Piney, grapefruit-citrus hop aroma dominates, though strong caramel malt backs it up, with light esters of peach and pear for a slightly fruity fermentation. (9/12)
Appearance: Golden amber with good clarity, though not brilliant. Moussy white foam persists at half-inch thickness to end of the glass. (3/3)
Flavor: Caramel malt oriented; malt dominates the first impression, gives way to a low, light yellow grapefruit hop flavor with assertive hop bitterness. The hop bitterness is amplified by evident alcohol, and lingers long into the finish. Toward mid- to end, a note of acetaldehyde creeps in, but disappears behind the dominant hop character. (13/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, carbonation is on the soft side for a silky texture. Warming alcohol character (though not hot) combines with the herbal astringency of hops, and lingers at the finish. (4/5)
Overall Impression: This beer reflects an exuberance of youth, with kind of a rough-and-tumble, over-the-top presentation of caramel malt and assertive hop character. The soft carbonation level gives a sort of pub-draft texture and adds to the drinkability. For the bitterness fan, it leans toward session quality, though the alcohol level appeals more to fans of the extreme. Would be a great complement to pepperoni pizza. (7/10)
Total Score: (36/50)
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[expand]Total Score: 34/50
This is a good beer, but the balance is a bit out of kilter—perhaps due to handling? The aroma was loaded with oxidative notes rather than being hop-forward like the classic examples of this style. more >
[close]Total Score: 34/50
Aroma: Malt-forward with caramel, toffee and biscuit, along with some sweetness, ripening into moderately intense oxidation notes of sherry, almond, and caramelized raisins. Reminds me of bread pudding. Alcohol is present with a clean ethanol aroma but also some higher alcohols that penetrate into the sinuses. I pick up some citrus notes, but they are muted and do not have as much hop character as classic examples. (7/12)
Appearance: Burnished copper in color with excellent clarity and a thinnish white head that lasts surprisingly well. It appears to be well-conditioned with decent carbonation in spite of some possible leakage during shipping. (3/3)
Flavor: Starts with a medium-high malt flavor, with toasty and caramel notes, and then transitions to an assertively, even intensely, bitter finish. Moderate esters in the middle—some pears, but mainly the almond and dark fruit character of oxidized melanoidins. A little citrusy, resiny hop flavor would add complexity and brightness and improve the balance. The long, intense hop bitterness makes up for some of the weaknesses noted above. (15/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium creaminess from the malt, and the moderate carbonation is appropriate for style. Some warmth from the alcohol, but not hot. Nicely done. The lingering astringency from the hops is a little high, leaving a mouth-puckering sensation that mars the otherwise smooth finish. (3/5)
Overall Impression: This is a good beer, but the balance is a bit out of kilter—perhaps due to handling? The aroma was loaded with oxidative notes rather than being hop-forward like the classic examples of this style. The hop bitterness is appropriately present in full force, but would be complemented by some fresh hop flavor. Good job on the creamy mouthfeel and appearance. (6/10)
Total Score: (34/50)
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[expand]Total Score: 41/50
Strong but quite drinkable. Very clean flavors with low harshness—always a plus in my book. more >
[close]Total Score: 41/50
Aroma: Quite fruity, like apricots and tropical fruit. Light alcohol sharpness. Moderately low malt sweetness—very clean and supportive. An interesting take—the hops are very fruity and prominent but not piney or overly citrusy. Some light citrus notes. Has a very clean quality to it. (10/12)
Appearance: Light amber color. Fairly clear. Lightly effervescent. Low off-white head, frothy with large bubbles, poor retention (settled quite fast). (2/3)
Flavor: Strong but mostly clean bitterness. High hop flavor with a fruity, citrusy quality similar to the aroma. Malt has a clean, supportive note with a light grainy sweetness. Light alcohol flavor. Smooth finish with only a touch of harshness in the aftertaste, more from alcohol than hops. Impression of some balancing sweetness in finish, but I think that’s more an expression of a clean bitterness with low harshness rather than residual sugars. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: High carbonation. Noticeable warmth but not hot. Medium body—seems like a bit more with the carbonation; a bit heavy. Astringency low—good for the style. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Strong but quite drinkable. Very clean flavors with low harshness—always a plus in my book. The hop choice plays up the fruity aspects with stone fruit and tropical fruit present. Alcohol is a touch forward, but might smooth with age. A bit heavy and bubbly. More attenuation and lower carbonation would improve the drinkability. However, the clean flavors and low harshness make this a very enjoyable beer. (8/10)
Total Score: (41/50)
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