Prairie Artisan Ales Phantasmagoria American Double / Imperial IPA at 8% ABV | 70 IBU (US$3.99 at Knightly Spirits Orange Blossom Trail, 355 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 15-May-2017, reviewed 13-Jun-2017)
Appearance: hazy nearly opaque medium gold with one finger of rocky white head diminishing gradually to a thin skim, patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: pine, citrus, doughy caramel, tropical fruit. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Medium slightly creamy body, medium-soft carbonation, off-dry warming bitter finish. (4/5)
This might not have been quite so opaque had I been a little more careful in my pour, and left the lees in the bottle. The pine and citrus hops gradually dominate on the nose and the tongue, overcoming the doughy malt that seemed slightly more prevalent upon first decapping. Not bright, by any means, but pleasantly hop forward with a lingering bitter and warming finish. I suspect this bottle is slightly elderly, but can’t be sure because it’s not dated. (Considering the other two – much more cellarable – PAA beers I bought at the same time were dated summer of 2016, I’d say the odds are good this is from about the same vintage.) Still and all, a decent, easy-drinking D/IPA that doesn’t overwhelm with hops or alcohol. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
