Judge’s Review: 92 Rating – Cryoscape Cold IPA by Batson River Brewing & Distilling

Specialty IPA | Year-Round | USA

By Scott Birdwell

Judges Rating: 92
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 5
Flavor: 37
Mouthfeel: 9
Overall Impression: 19

Cryoscape Cold IPA by Batson River Brewing & Distilling was judged as style 21B, Specialty IPA, per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
Batson River Brewing’s Cryoscape Cold IPA is a 5.8% ABV cold IPA. The beer pours slightly hazy in the glass (clarity is often overrated!), and the hop bouquet is quite pronounced. While not overdone, it is noticeable and quite pleasant and appealing. There are some malt notes way back in the finish of the aroma, but they are somewhat subdued. On first tasting, I pick up a soft hop bite of citrusy, floral and tropical notes. I found the hop tartness to be somewhat understated considering the promise of the hop bouquet up front. Yet, the hop flavor is attractive, and I find that the beer is very well balanced, as it features some bite with some malt sweetness. I would like a just a bit more hop bite, but I did enjoy the sample. Frankly, my only real criticism of this beer has to do with expectations versus results. When I’m told a beer is a cold IPA, I’m expecting a clean finishing ale with a bit of kick and some noticeable hop bite. The finish on this beer is notably clean (check!), but there isn’t an appreciable hop bite nor is it up to modern IPA levels of alcoholic kick. Don’t get me wrong. I liked this beer very much, and, at a mere 5.8% abv I could drink several without overdoing it. As you see from my score, I’m not a hater here. But, what you really have here is a “cold pale ale.” And, while there’s nothing wrong with that, let’s call a spade a spade.