This BJCP Category 22A, Double IPA, began with a medium-high hop aroma that was a mix of pine, citrus and tropical fruits (melon and passionfruit,) lime zest and a little burst of white grape. There was also a light note of sulfur that vented readily. There was barely any malt in the aroma and what I did perceive was a very low, clean bread and grain note.
The beer poured out a medium-gold color that had a tinge of orange to it. It was mostly clear, save for a hint of haziness. A low, fine, ivory head hung around for a moderate amount of time.
The flavor had a Southern Hemisphere flair to the hops. It had moderate tropical tones with melon, grapefruit, white grape and lime. There was also some medium-low grassy flavor in the mix. Bitterness was moderately high and lingered without being overly harsh. The beer left me with a fruit cocktail-like fruitiness long into the finish. Malt definitely seemed to be an afterthought.
Mouthfeel was medium body coupled with medium-high carbonation that lent a bit of a carbonic bite. There was medium alcohol warming and a low husky note at the finish.
I found this to be a very pleasant, cleanly fermented and very quaffable DIPA with a flavorful hop presence and good, fruit-forward hop flavor. I thought it met the West Coast style in the hop/malt balance. If I were to change something, I’d make it just a bit drier. Also, a slightly smoother hop bitterness would make this quite dangerous. Just sayin’…