Banded Peak Brewery Microburst Hazy IPA American IPA at 6.1% ABV | 55 IBU (C$4.99 at Oak & Vine, 473 ml, packaged on 28-Jun-2018, acquired 19-Jul-2018, reviewed 20-Jul-2018)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with one finger of rocky white head, good retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, pale malt, pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (8/5)
I had pretty high hopes here. I haven’t had a lot by these guys, but what I have has indicated a good degree of competence. And, yeah, OK, it’s technically a “hazy IPA”, but not in the “juicy opaque NE-style” way that moniker normally implies. (And I should have realized that, given the “55 IBU” right on the label, but as I’ve already previously established, I can be a bit of a dumbass, especially in beer stores.) Is it good? Yes, absolutely. Not what I expected, but a solid, enjoyable A/IPA, heavily hopped with New World hops. Still and all, I was kinda hoping for more of a juice bomb… (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
