Zero Issue Brewing Multiverse (Issue 1) – American Pale Ale at 5.4% ABV | 42 IBU (C$2.87 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 473 ml, packaged on 29-Jun-2017, acquired 25-Aug-2017, reviewed 26-Aug-2017)
Appearance: hazy medium pale amber with three fingers of fluffy ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, grainy pale malt and caramel, pine, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration bitter finish. (4/5)
So, I bought this knowing nothing about this brewery, other than the fact that they apparently like comic books in addition to beer, which places them squarely in the “my kind of geek” category. I guess with no expectations, it’s a bit hard to be disappointed – and I’m not, at all. The aroma is decently hop dominant, with both citrus and tropical fruits leading the way over a pleasant malt base, with pine and earth rounding things out. Flavour follows suit, with well-balanced malt sweetness and moderate or slightly better hop bitterness. As is usually the case, I’d probably like this if it were brighter and hoppier, which I think the malt could sustain. (In fact, I’m not sure why they don’t just call this an IPA.) But that’s a pretty minor, personal preference kind of thing. My biggest beef with this one is the appearance: if they’re going for a Northeast hazy unfiltered look, it’s not working – it just comes off as slightly dirty and muddy. Overall, though, quite a respectable offering from another new local brewery. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
