Score: 92
Two-and-a-half week old growler that was brought to me courtesy of a good friend, and kept ice cold the whole time. Served in a Perennial tulip/snifter hybrid glass and enjoyed on 08/11/13.
Appearance: Pours a translucent golden straw color with two fingers of frothy white head that settles to a wispy coating outlined by a thick ring of head around the edges of the glass. Very good lacing, good retention. 4.25/5
Smell: Earthy spiced hops, orange peels, spruce, pineapple, grapefruit and a hint of white wine. As the beer warms, the earthy spiciness falls off and the tropical juiciness comes through more in the nose. 4.25/5
Taste: Quite bitter, less juicy-sweet than I would have guessed on the nose. Bitter pineapple/grapefruit and "hoppy white grape" up front, with orange rind and woody/piney hops on the finish. Spicy caramel malt backbone, has just a dash of onion-iness that complements the spice. The bitterness and earthiness linger, but do not "layer" such that they get overly intense. 4.25/5
Mouthfeel: Medium-light bodied, medium-light carbonation gives good life to the bitterness of the brew. Oily mouthfeel. 4.25/5
Overall: A well-rounded, nicely crafted imperial IPA with a good malt backbone, a pleasing bitterness level and easy drinkability, but it is not up to par with some of Hill Farmstead's better hoppy beers such as Society & Solitude #4, Abner, Ephraim or Double Citra. This brew is definitely worth seeking out, but it is not one of the "can't miss" beers in their portfolio.
Cost: $10 for a 750 ml growler fill.
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