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Sean Coughlin's picture

Trifecta IPA

October, 2016

Trifecta IPA

Judges Rating: 
81
Aroma: 
17 / 24
Appearance: 
6 / 6
Flavor: 
33 / 40
Mouthfeel: 
10 / 10
Overall Impression: 
15 / 20

This beer falls into vein of the old-school east coast American IPA. A medium-high resinous hop showcase with a hefty dose of lightly toasted and caramel malt underneath. The aroma is somewhat subtle overall - more late/dry hopping would be a welcome addition to boost the aroma. The beer is a hazy light copper with a tight, dense, and creamy off-white head that hangs on for a long time. The beer is very easy to drink despite its high bitterness. A medium-light body aids in drinkability and makes way for a light pine hop profile to be the center of attention. The hop flavor could be much higher. Alcohol doesn't play a role in the flavor or mouthfeel of this beer. It is exceptionally clean from a fermentation standpoint but either suffers from poor recipe design or a lack of freshness. People who fell in love with American IPAs in the early 1990s may find this enjoyable but it's lackluster compared to the seemingly endless choices for IPA readily available on the shelves and on draft.