Selkirk Abbey Brewing Company Infidel Belgian IPA at 8.2% ABV ($8.07 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits)
Pours hazy pale amber with two fingers of off-white tight head, excellent retention, moderate lacing (4/5). Nose is pine resin and floral hops, caramel malt, hint of musty funk (7/10). Taste is hop forward with moderate caramel sweetness, finishing bitter (7/10). Medium body, moderate to low sustained carbonation, with a lingering hoppy bitter finish (4/5).
I’m not sure that this entirely succeeds as a “Belgian IPA” – there is very little traditional Belgian yeast character here. There’s hint of cellar mustiness on the initial pour, but other than that, the nose and tongue are very much American DIPA pine resin. Not that that’s a bad thing, you understand, but I prefer accurate labelling… Though, I guess to be fair they call it a “belgian style india pale ale”, so one might argue it’s not intended to be overtly Belgian in nature. Pleasant enough regardless, and only a slight hint of booziness towards the end of the bottle.(15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
