Motorworks Mango Habanero IPA

Fruit and Spice Beer | Seasonal | United States

By Dan Preston

Judges Rating: 84
Aroma: 20
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 33
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 16

Mango Habanero IPA by Motorworks Brewing is an IPA (BJCP category 21A), but due to the additions of mango & habanero it shifts to Fruit & Spice Beer which is BJCP 2015 category 29B.  These additions are definitely complimentary to the style as IPAs go great with both tropical fruit & spices – not sure if it’s still a thing, but the Hophead Throwdown @Publick House in Boston was an epic event of spicy food & some of the best IPAs out there. However, while it’s tricky to tell where the juicy mango stops & the hops begin, I would like the additions to be backed down a bit as they border on overwhelming the underlying beer.
               This beer pours a bubbly, yellow with a bright white fluffy head that lasts. There is a slight haze, but it still remains semi-transparent which is perfectly acceptable for an IPA. The aroma has a strong mango character with some accompanying tropical notes (pinapple, coconut, lime, passionfruit, persimmon) and a bit of spice at the back end (habanero, jasmine). Think of a pina colado with a shot of tabsco sauce in it. It’s not uncommon in an IPA, but the malt is difficult to find with a light honey-like sweetness and subtle graininess all to be found. The flavor is similar  with a blend of sweet & heat. Tropical sweetness at the start leads into spicy heat, and both linger on the tongue, battling for supremacy. The heat is much more prevalent in the taste than the aroma, though not overwhelming (you won’t need to drink a glass of milk alongside it) and works well with the tropical notes, much like a Jerk Chicken with mango salsa. It would also pair awesomely with some Thai or Jamaican food.  Again, it’s a bit additive forward, but it complements the style well and pairs well with the tropical nature of the hops used. It has a mod-low bitterness with a semi-sweet finish, which are both a bit out of character for the style, but more of a dry/bitter finish would emphasize the heat more which can be dangerous as it already leaves a light burning sensation on the lips/palate. Overall its well made and easy to drink, I would just like to see more of the underlying beer present as it gets a little lost.