Double Mountain Brewery and Taproom / Fort George Brewery and Public House A River Runs Through It Hop Shake IPA American IPA at 6.3% ABV | 75 IBU (C$7.42 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 500 ml, packaged on 14-Aug-2017, acquired 13-Dec-2017, reviewed 13-Dec-2017)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with a massive and growing rocky ivory head, excellent retention and heavy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: citrus, pale malt, tropical fruit, melon, lactose. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, high bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium creamy body, moderate carbonation, slightly sweet finish. (3/5)
OK, at the risk of sounding a little badly-informed, what the *hell* is an “earthy forest addition”, regardless of whether or not it’s “balanced with lactose”? Pine needles and ice cream? I’m not at all convinced that it’s necessary to “balance” hops with lactose in any case, to be honest. Perhaps when you’re dealing with the astringent tendencies of a roasty dark porter or stout, but why deliberately blunt an IPA’s clear sharp bitter? Not bad, but ultimately misguided, I think. (And yes, I get that it’s supposed to be an IPA milkshake, and/or a variation on the NEIPA theme. It isn’t.) (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
