This weeks IPA Reviews
A craft using hops added primarily in the boil. Depending on when they are added in the boil will determine flavor and bitterness. This style results in a lower ABV. 5 to 7% (maybe a bit higher)
Vitamin Sea (MA) Squared Circle IPA 6.8%
New
1 hop (nectaron)
Multiple fruit aromas draw you into this Nectaron only IPA Introducing you to flavors of peach, pineapple and tropical notes. A soft body, light carbonation & a light bitterness let the former shine start to finish. Holding the sip enhances the flavor aspects. The layering underneath of bittering props up the flavor making this an enjoyable balanced offering
Abomination (CT) Censored Dry January 9.7% TDH IPA
New
4 hops ( Mosaic, Vic Secret, Columbus & Citra)
All hops open this with strong fruit & earthy aroma. Columbus provides initial bitter aspects that blend into the multiple fruit contributions of Citra, Vic Secret & Mosaic Those being orange & pineapple primary. All aspects continually blend throughout in layers with no overwhelming influences of any 1 hop. Soft body & medium carbonation keeps this complete & balanced start to finish. A 9.7 IPA is unusual & is a kick ass Craft not to be missed
Tonewood (NJ) Powder Daze 8.2%
In Stock
2 hops (Citra & Mosaic) with the addition of Lupulin from both hops.
Immediate you sense the deep fruit aroma compliments of Lupulin as well as the actual hops. Getting started though is quite the reverse but pleasing in that carbonation (Medium) & light Mosaic earthy tones greet you & guide you into the flavor aspects which come to full bloom & blend into the craft side by side with the above. The balance creates an offering that will tickle the fancy of most craft fans.
Vitamin Sea (MA) Secret Vacation 6.2%
New
2 hops ( Michigan Cooper & Citra)
Both hops contribute to a fruit aroma with undertones of oats & continue into each sip becoming mote citrus/orange influence in flavor. A bit dirty on the backend that evenly blend into the above to end each sip. The surprising twist is the oat addition that is interesting & not at all boring making for not only a soft body but a depth in taste.
An out of the ordinary craft that needs to be tried.
Evil Twin/Trillium Corner of George St & Shawmut Rd 7.2%
In stock
2 hops (Columbus & Citra)
3 sip rule please
Dank fruit aroma which may be the influence of Columbus. This doesn't indicate what's to come.
Columbus imparts its earthy bittering notes that then mix with the citrus & orange flavors of Citra. Holding the sip flavors shine & dominate after sip 3. Medium carbonation & though hazy the offering is somewhat crisp.
The blend & balance is clean & will be welcomed by WC & IPA camps
Anchorage (AK) Sound Crazy 6.4%
In Stock
2 Hops (Nelson & Strata) & Phantasm.
Phantasm is a powder made from Sauvignon grapes which can enhance aroma.
A pleasant clean grape aroma to start. This leads to Nelsons Grape notes which are constant. Bittering is minimal. Body is light & semi dry & provides consistent backbone throughout. Strata waits to kick in the ending with its subtle spice attribute, which is as well light & balanced.
Soft yet crisp & well balanced in all aspects
Dancing Gnome (PA) Mosaic Jam 6.8%
In stock
1 hop (Mosaic)
Earthy aroma with peach notes that peek out & lead you into each sip. Begins as well lightly earthy & semi dry.Further along other hop contributions blend into the offering those being subtle berry & peach. The soft body binds the aspects together.
While earthy seems to lightly prevail the fruit aspects continually balance this out & come forward further as you go. No one factor overwhelms any other making this an easy to enjoy 6.8% craft.
KC BC (NY) Penguins in space 6.5%
In stock
Hazy IPA. 4 hops ( Citra, Strata, Centennial & Amarillo)
3 Sip rule ...
An interesting 3 sip IPA.
Sip 1 begins tart & carbonated (Medium which is start to finish) & lightly dry with a hint of the multiple fruit flavors to come.
Sip 2 softens into these citrus flavors & produces light bittering.
Sip 3 balances out the entire offering with an earthy & lightly spiced ending finishing the craft smoothly
At 6.5% a 2 per session craft is born.
Drowned Lands (NY) Silent Stars 6.5%
In stock
Citra hop whirlpooled & dry hopped.
Whirlpooling & dry hopping bring out Bright citrus aroma & flavors which come out to play immediately. Soft body, light bittering & carbonation create the conditions for this one hop bringing out all its attributes in no particular order. A blending of all the above brings each sip to an end with a very light dry finish a a suspiciously pleasing spicy undertone which is also subtle in nature.
Dock Street (PA) Golden IPA 6%
In stock
4 hops ( Mosaic, Citra, Simcoe & Amarillo)
Very light dank aroma with floral undertones. Medium carbonation making for a crisp start. Golden may be the correct description for the blending which is bright and equally distributed in all hops flavors. No one hop overwhelms any other. Using all hops in the boil process only provides an earthy layer that adds to the taste & backbone and propels fruit notes forward. Ends lightly tart. A bit different for an IPA & worth a try.
Vitamin Sea (MA) Little Treasures 4.5%
In Stock
2 hops (Citra,Simcoe)
Earthy orange and light tropical aroma. Medium carbonation & very light bittering. A soft body invites in flavors of orange & back round tropical notes that dominate the offering from there. Body is fuller than expected making it seem higher in ABV than 4.5%
Almost in the genre of NEIPA in taste & feel. The low ABV makes this a more than 1 session
Grimm (NY) Falcon Wing Door 7%
In Stock
4 hops (Citra, Simcoe, Falconer flight and El Dorado)
Grapefruit dominant aroma with tropical backround notes. Lightly tart beginning and medium carbonation. This gives way to tropical aspects these hops impart. minimal bittering. A mystery actor weaves all contributions together helped by a soft body. While being labeled IPA, this is also a candidate for hazy IPA. Fans in these camps shouldn't' pass this by
First State (DE) Hex Theory 6%
In Stock
8 hops ( Strata, Citra, Amarillo, Trident, Simcoe, Centennial, Warrior and Apollo)
Grapefruit aroma neutral in nature. Mixed flavors appear when warmer and blend into the IBU which is on the higher side. A note of spearmint appears into this complex weave of hops..
So many hops produce to many aspects to go into. It's enough to say this craft blends flavor and bittering and balances all to an end that is satisfying. Many of these hops are used in WC style but this craft maintains its IPA values
Vitamin Sea (MA) Just another T shirt shop 6.3%
In Stock
2 hops (Galaxy and Citra) Full peach and citrus aroma that commands your attention getting you ready for this offering. The exact flavors come forward into a soft body and fulfill aroma expectations.
Bittering at the end is expected and comes forward to complete each sip. Balance is just right.
Tropical fans may hesitate but shouldn't as this craft will EXPAND YOUR BEER HORIZONS.
Smuttynose (NH) Shoals pale ale 5.4%
Still Available
3 hops (Galena, Cascade and Chinook)
A light peppered aroma to start. Lightly Chinook bittered with a malt sweetness that continually gives this a start to finish complexity. The blend of hops and malts are completely balanced. Galena imparts the pepper notes in aroma and sip end.
Delightfully English and crushable at the temperature prescribed to forward all aspects. Never tried this style? Do so.