Hi-10

Specialty IPA | Limited Release | United States

By Sean Coughlin

Judges Rating: 85
Aroma: 21
Appearance: 5
Flavor: 35
Mouthfeel: 7
Overall Impression: 17

The aroma is complex with waves of grapefruit, citrus peel and stone fruit with a background of bready malt. There is a light spiciness from the habanero that doesn’t overwhelm and adds complexity, but at the cost of diminishing the hop aroma. The color is a very deep gold with orange hues and the beer is crystal clear. There is a small, dense, creamy head that persists well. The flavor has habanero pepper from start to finish alongside a hefty dose of hop bitterness. There is a light tropical fruit flavor, which is difficult to discern due to the prominent role of the habanero. There is also a prominent alcohol presence in this beer that accentuates the pepper’s capsaicin heat, but also covers up the hop flavor. This beer would have better balance and greater drinkability with a bit less habanero pepper character, more mango and a touch less alcohol. That being said, it is fresh, well-made and interesting enough to keep you coming back sip after sip to explore new aspects of its complexity.