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Coastbuster

Indiana
United States
Coastbuster by Upland Brewing Co.
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
90
Aroma:
21 / 24
Flavor:
37 / 40
Appearance:
6 / 6
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Description 

Inspired by the gloriously effervescent qualities of hop varieties common to West Coast style Imperial IPAs, Coastbuster is our vehicle for displaying the best of what these hops have to offer: their tropical, fruity, and floral aromas and flavors. With a light malt character and a dry finish, this is a beer designed to let the most succulent aspects of Simcoe, Amarillo, Columbus, Cascade, and Citra shine through while keeping the bitterness in balance.

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
8.5%
IBUs: 
65
Hops: 
Nugget, Cascade, Simcoe, Amarillo, Columbus, Citra
Malts: 
Pale, Pilsner, Caramel 10L
Judges Review 
David Sapsis's picture
Judges Rating:
90
Aroma:
21 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
37 / 40
Mouthfeel:
8 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

Double IPA, BJCP #22A: The beer pours a crystal clear light amber color, with a nice full creamy cap of foam with good stand and lace. Color indicates relatively little in the way of kilned/colored malts used -- possibly some Vienna/Munich or very light crystal malt in low quantity. The beer shows full conditioning, evidenced by lively outgassing. The aroma is rich with piney resin and a manifold blast of bright fruit notes: tangerine, peach, and apricot above a distinctly candy sweet backdrop. While no ethanol is evident, the nose is big and lush with both malt and hop accents coming through in a pleasant marriage of fruitiness. The flavor starts bright with distinct apricot and pine/fir notes, with the mid-palate bitterness nice but relatively restrained. Middle flavors of hop notes bring out a slightly herbal component reminiscent of dried oregano. Late palate is slightly sweet with a resurgence of ripe stone fruit (peaches and apricots) dancing with faint caramel in a long and slow finish. Mouthfeel is medium, with some astringency due to what seems like a very high dosage of flavor hops. The beer is smooth and betrays its strength due to the dry finish and well-composed hop/malt balance. Overall the beer comes off somewhat more like a regular IPA (possibly at the high end of the strength range) rather than a double. It also does not suffer the malady that many double IPA's are cursed with -- poor attenuation and disjointed bitterness/sweetness. This beer falls short of being a full-on fruit bomb, but has very nice and approachable west-coast hop notes that are supported by a pleasant but somewhat subtle malt/light caramel note that is short in the palate and lets the dry finish emphasize the piney/fruit flavors so prevalent in new American hop varieties. The overall drinkability of the beer begs careful consideration beyond the first pint. An enjoyable, and relatively restrained and well-crafted interpretation of a difficult style to pull off without being overbearing.

Brewery Introduction

Located in Bloomington, Indiana, Upland Brewing Co. began its intriguing story in 1998 with a mission to brew remarkable beers in remarkable ways, staying true to the artisan, progressive spirit found in our part of the Midwest. Our sour program began in 2006 as a way to entertain our curious... Read More