Judge’s Review: 68 Rating – Tumblefield by Social Fox Brewing

Specialty IPA | Year-Round | United States

By Sal Mortillaro II

Judges Rating: 67
Aroma: 18
Appearance: 4
Flavor: 30
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 5

Tumblefield by Social Fox Brewing is being evaluated as a Hazy IPA (Category 21C) per the 2021 BJCP style guidelines. 
This particular sample pours a decidedly orange color with copper highlights with hazy clarity, which is unnerving, as this beer is supposed to pour a straw to very light amber per the 2021 BJCP guidelines. A mousse-like head of tiny bubbles leaves a rocky lacing as the beer is consumed. The aroma is fairly one-dimensional and consists of medium-high leek and onion notes with a very low touch of citrus. There is no noted malt character on the nose. On the initial sip, a low citrus and low guava flavor manifests but is quickly overtaken by a medium leek note, and then quickly followed by a slight honey and candy-like malt flavor of low intensity. There is medium-low hop bitterness in this beer. In the finish is a touch of minerality and a lingering bitter citrus pith. This beer has a medium body with medium carbonation with no astringency or fusel alcohols with a lightly creamy aspect. 
Overall, based on the clues of the extremely dark color, muted hop aroma and muted hop flavor (along with the candy- and honey-like notes in the flavor), this sample has likely been oxidized in the can. The sample provided misses the hallmarks of massively hop-forward and intense fruit flavors and aromas that the style is known for.