Judge’s Review: 88 Rating – Otium by Miel Brewery & Taproom

Specialty IPA | Seasonal | United States

By Jim Koebel

Judges Rating: 88
Aroma: 21
Appearance: 5
Flavor: 36
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 17

Otium by Miel Brewery & Taproom was judged as BJCP Category 21C, Hazy IPA.
Listen up: A hazy IPA is not just a “hazy” IPA. There is more to these trendy brews than opacity, primarily juicy hop character and lower hop bitterness. About fifteen years ago we reached the peak of the extreme-bitterness-West-Coast-IPA trend, and now we’ve reversed course and are somewhere in the middle of the grand hazy IPA experiment.
With that in mind, let us enjoy our Otium. This beer has a fresh, dry-hopped aroma that is mostly citrus fruit-like. Its malt character is caramel and the hops become lightly grassy after a spell. Otium is copper-colored and straddles the border between hazy and murky. Its flavor is hop-dominant, with both spicy and herbal notes taking center stage. Bitterness is mouth-coating and high for style, but its crystal malt flavor helps to take off the edge. If you’re a fan of the hazy IPA style, it’s fun trying every variation you can to find the particular niche you prefer. Otium hews closer to the traditional IPA segment of the spectrum, which might be exactly what you’re looking for.