Lounging Iguanas by Abita Brewing Co. is a Hazy (aka New England) India Pale Ale (IPA), and I am judging this beer according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Category 21B, Specialty IPA: New England IPA.

The beer pours moderately hazy and cloudy straw gold with a large, bubbly and foamy white head. The head lasts throughout the sample and leaves some lacing. Immediate heavy aromas of toasted coconut, overripe pineapple and juicy mango greet my nose; these are followed by a light biscuit and white crackery malt backbone. The initial flavor is moderate, sweet coconut and a medium, juicy pineapple and mango hop character, medium-light hop bitterness, medium-sweet biscuit and crackery malt along with a dry finish. The body is medium-full with medium-high carbonation.

Later, I found some light fruity esters of candied orange and pear. The hops linger freshly in the aroma and carry over pleasantly to the flavor. The carbonation and hop bitterness combine to create a prickly sensation primarily at the tip of my tongue, and the coconut hops linger well into the finish. The beer is well-balanced, though the hops really shine here.

Despite looking out my window at an early season (it’s still summer technically) snowfall, I would really enjoy some vanilla wafers and vanilla ice cream alongside this fine beverage, paired with fresh mango for a tropical treat. Nicely done!