Croucher Brewing Co. Nuclear Free ANZUS IPA American IPA at 7% ABV (2014 Advent Calendar #7, 330ml, best before 15-05-15)
Pours clear gold with one finger of loose white head diminishing gradually to a thin cap, moderate lacing. (4/5) Nose is citrus, pine, earthy, biscuity pale malt. (8/10) Taste is moderate sweet, moderate bitter. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, lingering and building bitter finish. (4/5)
Well – the Advent calendar seems to have anticipated my day 6 review and responded with a somewhat brighter “down under” IPA, complete with a best before date that’s well into 2015. And, yeah, it’s pretty much what I thought: the same tones are there, but the balance is different. In this one, the hops are more forward, and the malt less so. It’s not a perfect comparison, of course, because this brew is neither as malty nor as hoppy as the prior one, but it’s an interesting counterpoint regardless. An interesting and solid IPA. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
