Judge’s Review: 97 Rating – Alpha Abstraction Vol. 22 by Wild Leap Brew Co.

Hazy IPA | Limited Release | United States

By Randy Scorby

Judges Rating: 97
Aroma: 23
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 39
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 19

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 22 by Wild Leap Brew Co. is being evaluated as a Hazy IPA (Category 21C) from the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
Alpha Abstraction Vol. 22 pours a light gold with a quite hazy appearance, and the white head leaves a thick stand of fine bubbles on the beer. The initial aroma is a prominent and bright mixed tropical fruit featuring mango and fresh pineapple. A light bready, cookie dough maltiness offers some balance to the big hop character. As the beer continues to warm and vent a light grapefruit zest emerges along with light spicy alcohol. There are no fermentation esters or other character behind the hops.
The flavor also features a prominent and bright combination of pineapple and other mixed tropical fruit combined with grapefruit juice. A light bready, grainy malt develops behind the hop flavor to provide a malty backbone to the beer. Moderately high hop bitterness emerges mid-palate and remains smooth through the hoppy aftertaste along with very light spicy alcohol. It finishes fairly dry with just a touch of sweetness on the palate. The medium-full body and light alcohol warming rounds out this beer.
This is a very well brewed and enjoyable Double IPA, with a bright and prominent hop character in both the flavor and aroma. If you are fortunate enough to find this beer, savor it and hope that you have a bottomless glass.