Judge’s Review: 95 Rating – Lack of Fokus by Best End Brewing Co.

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By Michael Bury

Judges Rating: 95
Aroma: 23
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 36
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 20

Lack of Fokus by Best End Brewing Co. is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA: Rye IPA (2021 BJCP Guidelines, Category 21B) and poured a hazy amber color beneath a large stand of ivory foam of moderately sized bubbles.
The pleasant aroma is a moderate-plus mélange of spicy, bready rye alongside a citrus, melon, herbal, resinous hop aroma. Cleanly fermented with no issues or off-flavors.
Sweet honey, grainy and upfront orange provides one with that characteristic hazy IPA fruit juice-like sweetness but the moderate spicy rye and noticeable yet restrained hop bitterness allows for a semi-dry finish. Moderately low alcohol is well incorporated but does have a bit of a bite on the tongue. Balance of the beer is definitively to the hops.
Lack of Fokus is anything but lacking focus. The hop selection combined with the spicy rye work well together to create a delicious, harmonious beer. It’s a bit too big in alcohol where as if the malt and hop package appeared in a smaller beer, it’d be a dangerously delightful drink.