Judge’s Review: 88 Rating – Wishing Star by Highland Brewing Co.

American IPA | Year-Round | United States

By John C. Tull

Judges Rating: 88
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 4
Flavor: 36
Mouthfeel: 8
Overall Impression: 18

Wishing Star by Highland Brewing Co. was judged as an American IPA (21A BJCP 2021). The aroma is bold and pungent with a big herbal quality and a more mild fruity background note. Some malt sweetness manages to filter through as well. The color is quite pale, lighter than expected for an IPA, but it is quite clear. A light layer of white bubbles edges the glass with a fine lace scattered across the surface. The hop flavor is every bit as bold as the aroma would suggest. Again, a strongly pungent herbal character leaps out and practically grabs your tonsils. There is a restrained fruit blended in, but difficult to separate from the herbal qualities. Malt flavor lends sweetness, but does not share a lead role with the hops. In fact, it just makes it into the credits in a supporting role, but it does lend some balance to the hops. The mouthfeel is medium with moderate carbonation, but the intense hops flavors leave little room for palate sensation, and those flavors persist on the palate well beyond the last swallow. A little alcoholic heat is detectable also. Overall, this is a beer that provides a stage for hops. Additionally, it takes the amplifier and cranks it to 11 on those hops, making it a great beer for anyone that really wants their beer to make hops the star of the show.