Alley Kat Brewing Co. Ivory Dragon American Double / Imperial IPA at 7.5% ABV | 75+ IBU (C$8.39 at Okotoks Co-Op, 650 ml, best before 31-Jul-2019, acquired 15-Mar-2019, reviewed 15-Mar-2019)
Appearance: clear pale amber with one fat finger of fluffy pale ivory head, good retention and moderate stringy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: grassy hay, caramel, melon, faint pine & citrus. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, off dry mildly spicy warming and lingering bitter finish. (4/5)
“Single hopped with Vic Secret” and I’m shocked. No, seriously: that might actually be my favourite hop, and I’m getting an almost complete lack of Vic Secret character here. The aroma is dominated by grassy hay and clean malt, with a bit of melon following, and maybe just the faintest whiff of citrus and resiny pine – but certainly no hint of the tropical fruit flavours that I so associate with this hop. If pressed I might’ve guessed Cashmere, but I don’t think I’d’ve come up with Vic Secret no matter what. On the up side, it doesn’t drink any more aggressively or harsh than the ABV and IBU would indicate – which is to say, both are emphatically present, but not the point of excess. Certainly not bad, but just a bit “meh”. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
