Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 12

Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 12 by Wild Leap Brew Co. is being evaluated as a New England IPA (2015 BJCP Category 21B). It pours hazy with an amber color, which sits beneath an ivory, persistent, finely textured head. Moderately intense tropical and stone fruit hop aromas entice: apricot, ripe papaya, lime and a hint of guava and coconut. A wheat-based malt note is in the far background. No issues or off-flavors were noticed. First sip is intensely tropical fruit. Reminds me of a ripe papaya from a street-side vendor on Maui. Low bitterness. Proper attenuation. Aftertaste features sweet alcohol, mango, lime, coconut, and biscuit-like malt. Honey-like malt emerges as the more sips are taken. Clean fermentation. Moderately-full bodied, luscious and with moderate carbonation. Just a bit of alcohol warmth indicates that it’s a bigger beer. No hop-based astringent bite that many versions of this style have. Alpha Abstraction is a high-quality offering from Wild Leap Brew Co. with well-crafted, nuanced hop flavors/aromas. It goes down almost too easy for its ABV, which is 8 percent ABV.