Terminal Gravity IPA
Big thanks to sirdrinknp for yet another NW stunner. Pours a cloudy dark amber, beautiful three finger beige head, leaves some spatula-worthy froth as it slowly subsides to a lasting half inch cap. Nice. Smell is strong, full of strange hop vegetal dankness, grapefruit pith, lemon, neutral sweet, a bit of tart yeast, and some nice floral notes keeping it together. I realize this aroma ain't everyone's cuppa tea, but as a confirmed hophead this is heaven, man. Taste is a full flavored blast of vegetal, light bready sweet, floral, and then it steamrolls into some heavy citrus bitter, sweet lemon, and joins some resiny pine to mug the palate with a dry finish. This is fuller flavored than many beers purporting to be IIPA, label says IPA, who am I to argue? While the dry finish isn't on the order of The Liberator, or Hopsickle, or Gubna for that matter, it is exceptionally clean and dry for the style. Mouthfeel is good, low carb., very resinous, nice finish, stays clean in mouth between sips. Maybe a bit too viscous for style. Drinkability, rated for style, is not so good. I'd love a couple of these, but I often crave four or five of others in this style. Impression: Yet another beer requiring cross-country travel to re-visit. Complex and interesting offering. Recommended.