Beer Review: Society & Solitude #4

Reviewing Society & Solitude #4 from Hill Farmstead. This might be my favorite IPA that they make, which is to say a lot since Shawn Hill makes some of the best IPA out there. Sadly, I lost my picture of this one, so I borrowed someone else's...

Score: 97

A week only growler poured and served in to a snifter glass and enjoyed on 08/02/12. This is a backlogged review from notes.

Appearance: Pours a slightly dull, unfiltered orange-peach color with two fingers of off-white head that settles to a thin layer atop the glass. Good oily lacing and retention. 4/5

Smell: Fresh tropical citrus and pine. Loads of grapefruit, mango, pineapple, orange rind and grassy hops. Oh boy! 4.75/5

Taste: Aggressively hopped grapefruit, lemon, and pineapple upfront, which slowly washes away as more of the piney/grassy hops comes through towards the finish with only a hint of lingering tropical flavor on back of tongue. Touch of dirtiness/earthiness on the midpalate to balance out sweet citrus favors too. A near perfect balance is struck here between the sweet and bitter elements, with growing degrees of bitter, slightly dank qualities in the finish as it warms up. 4.75/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-light bodied with a low amount of carbonation that lets the bitterness sit heavy on the tongue. Juicy on the tongue. 4/5

Overall: Yet another knockout IPA experiment from the master. This imperial IPA gives Heady Topper a serious run for its money.

Recommendation: Absolutely seek this one out if/when rebrewed again, unless you hate IPAs.

Pairings: Hawaiian pizza.

Cost: $25 for a 2L growler (including the cost of the container).