beer_name: Scratch Beer 35 - 2010 (Fresh Hop Ale)
text: A 12 oz bottle from the brewery. A: The india pale ale has the golden light brown color of a bold DIPA with a shroud of haze throughout. Two and a half fingers of white head have left thin wispy patches all around the mouth of the glass. S: The nose is a lush mix of grapefruit and fresh oranges. The citra, dry-hopped to the nth degree, is an inspired hop that really leaves its mark. It goes so far as to overpower the IPA's standard hop and malt bill. T: The strength of the IPA can't be denied, but man the citra does an admirable job of covering it up. The fresh hops are rich and strong, able to drive the flavor with ease. Citrus, grapefruity and orangey, is oily with a nice dose of black pepper midway through. Underneath the citra layer, pale malts frolic contentedly. The star of the show is the hoppiness; what a powerful finish! M: The mouthfeel, peppery and citrusy, has just a little bit of heat to it. Very lively, the overabundance of hops makes the ale zing. D: Delicious! A bold IPA (listed as an APA when I first reviewed the growler) that glosses over most of its intense booziness.