Stone Brewing Company / Baird Beer / Ishii Brewing Co Japanese Green Tea IPA American Double / Imperial IPA at 10.1% ABV (C$13.95 at Sundance Wine Market, 650 ml, no bottle date or best before)
Pours slightly hazy pale amber with two fingers of pillowy white head, excellent retention and spotty lacing. (4/5) Nose is pithy grapefruit, green tea, stone fruit, light resin, caramel malt. (8/10) Taste is mild sweet, moderate bitter, mild tart. (8/10) Medium body, lively carbonation, semi-dry bitter and only slightly boozy finish. (4/5)
A definite green tea presence grows more pronounced throughout the pint, giving it an almost musty, saison-like quality. Similar in some ways to Baird’s Wabi Sabi, except without the sour milk note that made that one less than a success for me. Surprisingly low ABV presence for a double digit imperial beast, coming through as just a little sweetness and booziness on the finish. Definitely different, and that’s always good. Overall, I’d recommend trying it if you can find it. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
