Phillips Brewing Company Green Reaper (2016) American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$7.29 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, best before 19-Feb-2017, acquired 11-Oct-2016, reviewed 11-Oct-2016)
Appearance: clear medium gold with two fingers of fluffy white head, excellent retention and well-defined lacing. (4/5) Aroma: mint, melon, citrus, pale malt, pine, grass. (7/10) Taste: medium sweet and medium-strong bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering and building bitter dank finish. (3/5)
I last had this when they rolled it out in the fall of 2015, so I figured a re-evaluation was in order – plus, I’m not ready to give up on IPA season quite yet. As far as I can tell, it’s the same lineup of starts-with-C hops here as last year, giving a wetly green and dank overall profile that manages to skirt the edge of onion and cattiness without quite getting there. I still can’t find any authoritative information on the actual bitterness, but it’s got to be at least 60-80 IBU or so. This remains one of my favourites from this brewer, and I think it’s going to have to be a fall tradition from now on. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
