Garrison Brewing Company Infusion Confusion Chamomile IPA American IPA at 6.3% ABV | 50 IBU (C$5.41 at NLC Stavanger, 650 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 27-Jun-2017, reviewed 30-Jun-2017)
Appearance: clear medium amber with one fat finger of rocky ivory head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: floral/perfume, caramel, black tea, gourd/pumpkin. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter/astringent. (7/10) Medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter and astringent finish. (3/5)
Well, it’s different, I’ll give it that. Mind you, as I seem to recall one White House staffer was once alleged to have said, “The new and the bold can also be crappy.” (Though that may be slightly unfair, since I’m not sure “crappy” is a fair description. Then again, I’m not completely sure it’s not…) I don’t know that I could identify chamomile to save my life, so I’m assuming that’s the big floral hit on the front end, but the major undertones I’m getting here are black tea and pumpkin – and if that means I’m satisfying the name by being confused by the infusion, then well done, I guess? It definitely comes across as more bitter than the 50 IBU would suggest, due to that astringent black tea in the finish. Not a clear miss or hit. When in doubt, give it a 7, right? (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
