Powell Street Craft Brewery Right Kind of Crazy American Double / Imperial IPA at 9% ABV | 87 IBU (C$7.40 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 650 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 13-Dec-2017, reviewed 14-Dec-2017)
Appearance: clear pale gold with one fat finger of rocky white head diminishing gradually to a persistent cap, soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, caramel, pine, melon, floral. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, drying lingering bitter finish. (4/5)
Really nicely balanced on the nose, to the point where it’s not clear whether citrus, pine, caramel, or melon are in the lead. I might not be sufficiently arrogant to call it the “right” kind of crazy, but Powell Street? you’re _my_ kind of crazy. (But, word to the wise? I’m pretty sure “Westcoast” isn’t a real word.) You’ve got A/IPAs dialled in – except for NE/IPAs, which, if I’m honest, I’d love to see you get right, but you really, really haven’t. And, sure, some of your other stuff is OK, like your Belgian, Session, and White IPAs, but the less said about your Saisons and Sours, the better – let’s play to our strengths, huh? (And hey, look at that! IBU = 10 x ABV again! I’m telling you, the Reinheitsgebitter should totally be a thing!) (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
