Collective Arts Brewing Liquid Art Fest IPA American IPA at 5.9% ABV (C$5.99 at Oak & Vine, 473 ml, packaged on 7-May-2018, acquired 21-Jun-2018, reviewed 22-Jun-2018)
Appearance: opaque pale gold with one fat finger of loose ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim and spotty lacing. (4/5) Aroma: oranges, lactose, tropical fruit, vanilla, wheat, hint of pine, light funk. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate bitter, mild tart. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry building bitter lightly tart finish. (4/5)
Gotta say, I was a little leery when I saw “Milkshake IPA” – the few other examples of that description I’ve tried have ranged from “mehtastic” to “ok at best”. I should have known that if anybody could pull it off, Collective could. And yes, it actually is like a milkshake – a creamsicle one, maybe, with a bit of passionfruit and mango added. Even though there’s sweetness there, it’s a soft lactose that doesn’t linger or become sickly or cloying. The vanilla is present but gentle, and passionfruit acidity cuts through any lingering residue to prevent it from becoming mouth coating, so that it ends surprisingly clean and more-ish. To the extent that I have any complaints at all, it’s that the mango starts to turn a little funky upon warming, giving just the very slightest note of cheese or stinky feet. The solution is obvious: don’t let it warm. Bottoms up! (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
