Alpha Abstraction Vol. 19

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 19 by Wild Leap Brew Co. was judged under category 22A, double IPA, in the 2021 BJCP style guidelines.

The first thing we look at is the aroma, in which I get a strong and fresh citrus aroma. I get a nice hit of sweet orange and grapefruit. There is also a moderate amount of tropical hops presence, mostly of tart pineapple. The malt profile is bready with a lightly sweet smell to it. The hops certainly are strong and take center stage here. There is a lower alcohol aroma, which is to be expected but otherwise clean.

Moving into the appearance, this is a great-looking beer. It’s a beautiful bright yellow color with a moderately hazy appearance, which is OK in highly dry hopped styles. The head is ivory white with dense, long-lasting bubbles. For a higher-alcohol beer, there is also a nice lacing left behind on the glass.

The flavor very closely matches the aroma. Up front you first notice sweet orange, bitter grapefruit and a tangy hint of pineapple from the hop flavor. It’s a very well put together blend of hops. The hop flavor is complex and rich. The malt is lightly sweet and bready, with a hint of honey-like character. The bitterness is not as high as some expect in a double IPA, and falls more into the medium range here. It’s certainly an easy-drinking double IPA. The finish is moderately dry with just a little residual sweetness. The balance certainly falls to the hops side, as it should.

The mouthfeel on this beer is pleasant. I see this beer as medium-full bodied with a very smooth and creamy texture. The moderate heat from the alcohol is noticeable for sure, and well within range of the style. There is no harsh hop astringency or off-putting feel to this highly hopped beer.

Overall ,I think this is an excellent double IPA with a very good hop flavor and aroma complexity. It’s crisp and clean and very pleasant. The malt flavor is a touch sweet, but the bitterness does help balance that out a bit. I would like just to see a tiny bump of the bitterness overall, but all in all, this is an excellent beer.