Luau Krunkles

Luau Krunkles by Terrapin Beer Company is being evaluated as a Fruit Beer (Category 29A) with a base style of an American IPA (Category 21A) from the 2015 BJCP guidelines.

This beer pours a deep gold color with hazy clarity and a white head which is fleeting, but leaves a white-colored ring around the glass. Tropical fruit aromas are high, with guava being the most noticeable. There is a sweetness to the fruits that is grounded out by a spicy hop aroma of moderate intensity. Citrusy and tropical hop aromas blend harmoniously and interweave with the added fruit. Hiding behind the intensity of the fruit and hop character is a very slight grainy malt note which becomes apparent as the beer warms but the yeast character is indistinguishable as any fruity esters are blended into the overall aroma. There is a light wisp of alcohol in the aroma as the beer warms as well. Guava and passionfruit are high in the flavor and adds a perceived sweetness to this beer despite a moderately dry finish. Hop bitterness is moderately-low but a nice spicy note from the hop flavor and light ethyl alcohol help to ground this beer out and help keep the beer from tasting overly sweet. The fruits really cancel out the malt character of this beer and make it undetectable. The aftertaste is reminiscent of a Dole Tropical Fruit cocktail and is quite fun. Medium body with moderate carbonation and a very slight alcohol warmth compose the beer's mouthfeel. Overall, this is an interesting take on an IPA making it tropical and juicy through the use of fruit as opposed to purely hops. I found this beer quite enjoyable though the malt and fermentation characters get lost behind the use of fruit. I would definitely recommend this beer and purchase it if I saw it in a bar or store.