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[expand]Total Score: 39/50
Definitely a hop-head beer. Hop aroma and flavor are excellent. Bitterness is a bit overpowering for the malt backbone and the hop-derived astringency is somewhat assertive. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Citrus and floral hop aroma is wonderful, almost like gardenias. Just enough caramel and pale malt aroma to balance the hops, not challenge them. No DMS or diacetyl. Fruity esters from fermentation are reminiscent of apricots and strawberries. (10/12)
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Appearance: Orange/amber color. Brilliant clarity. Thick, rocky long lasting head. Moderate carbonation. (3/3)
Flavor: Sweet caramel and pale malt up front with assertive hop bitterness, high grassy, citrus and floral hop flavor and noticeable alcohol combine to form a delightful beer with a punch. Well balanced with a lingering bitterness and some hop astringency in the aftertaste. No DMS or diacetyl. Fruity esters combine with the alcohol to yield an interesting floral flavor, however the alcohol is a bit “hot.” (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied. Very warming alcohol presence. Light hop astringency accompanying the bitterness, bordering on harsh, is more pronounced as the beer warms. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Definitely a hop-head beer. Hop aroma and flavor are excellent. Bitterness is a bit overpowering for the malt backbone and the hop-derived astringency is somewhat assertive. Still quite drinkable and enjoyable, especially with a spicy sausage pizza. A truly American IPA. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 41/50
Well balanced between sweet malt richness and complex hop character. Surprisingly less bitter than the initial aroma suggested. more >
[close]Total Score: 41/50
Aroma: Intense resiny hop aroma is matched with an equal level of caramel malt. Hint of ripe stone fruit esters, black red-fleshed plums, tree-ripe apricots. No off aromas or diacetyl. (10/12)
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Appearance: Copper gold with brilliant clarity. Off-white foam is not persistent, falls quickly to a film of white bubbles on the surface of the beer. (2/3)
Flavor: Deep caramel toffee malt with intense resiny hop that is at first reminiscent (in a good way) of the diesel and rubber smell of an auto shop, but fades to evergreen, white fir needle tips. Malt turns sweet midway, mixing well with fruity, ripe red cherry esters and the same black plum, then a hit of sulfur comes through mid-palate to end. Elegantly balanced among full, sweet malt, resiny evergreen hop flavor, and a firm, lingering hop bitterness. Fruitiness fades a bit as the beer sits, and a hint of roast emerges in the finish. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium full body with medium carbonation, Alcohol warming lasts into the finish. Texture is somewhat creamy, with no astringency. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Well balanced between sweet malt richness and complex hop character. Surprisingly less bitter than the initial aroma suggested, with the hop character presenting rather chameleon-like, changing from the initial hit to the tongue to the last of the finish. Probably fuller bodied than what is generally found in the best classic examples, but a lighter bodied product would likely not carry the complexity. Chinook and Centennial hops described in the literature are not delicate, but then neither is this style. This is one for sipping while sitting on the deck at sunset. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 40/50
This beer is a good example of the style, albeit with less flavor complexity than typical IPAs. It makes up for some of this lack of depth with an interesting aroma. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Light citrus notes come through first, with a little lemon but primarily tangerine. There is some earthiness in the background, along with some caramel and honey malt character. As it warms, I pick up a little graininess and alcohol, but these are in balance with the other aroma components. Very nice so far. (10/12)
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Appearance: Brilliant clarity, with a tightly-beaded head that lasts well. The polished copper has some orange notes that visually support the citrus notes in the aroma. (3/3)
Flavor: There is moderate biscuit and caramel malt up front, and a sustained malt backbone. The hop flavor is more subdued than I anticipated from the aroma and is more earthy than floral. The citrus character is mild compared to most American IPAs. The yeast character is pleasant—it leaves a little woodiness in the finish, and this works well with the hop bitterness. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: There is some soapiness—perhaps from the high hop rate—along with some astringency that lingers on the palate. There is some alcohol warmth that is in balance. (4/5)
Overall Impression: This beer is a good example of the style, albeit with less flavor complexity than typical IPAs. It makes up for some of this lack of depth with an interesting aroma that starts with key lime notes and finishes with tangerines. The malt was sustained throughout and was in balance with the hop bitterness. A little more hop flavor and a smoother finish would be welcome, but this was a well-crafted beer that was a pleasure to drink. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 42/50
An aggressive, hop-forward beer. The hops are a little woody/piney, which makes them taste a little rough; might be a simple matter of hop variety selection (Chinook). more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Big fresh hop nose—piney, citrusy. Has a fresh grassy dry hop quality to it. Low clean malt, fairly neutral grain character. Light fruity esters, suggestive of peaches or apricots. Fairly clean. Hops are strong, fresh and inviting. Malt is definitely in the background. (11/12)
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Appearance: Medium amber color. Clear. Low off-white head, settled quickly—disappointing. (2/3)
Flavor: Strong bitterness. Clean malt and hop flavors. Long, bitter finish. Medium-low esters, like apricots. Medium-high hop flavor—piney, citrusy. Bitterness lingers in aftertaste, slightly harsh but mostly a clean bitterness. Hops have a woody, evergreen flavor, and are a little rough. Very clean fermentation profile and malt backbone. Good balance with the malt supporting the forward hop presentation. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium body. Medium-high carbonation. Light hop astringency. Low alcohol warmth. (4/5)
Overall Impression: An aggressive, hop-forward beer. The hops are a little woody/piney, which makes them taste a little rough; might be a simple matter of hop variety selection (Chinook). The malt backbone is very clean. Nice light esters, possibly from hops, plays well with the neutral malt character. Hops are fairly pure in flavor and generally clean except for the little roughness and harshness, although whether this is an issue or not could be up to personal preference. Has a definite American character. A good example of an aggressive West Coast-type IPA. It’s nice to see the alcohol isn’t pushed over the top. (8/10)
