Alley Kat Brewing Co. Periwinkle Dragon American Double / Imperial IPA at 7.5% ABV | 75+ IBU (C$8.70 at Collective, 650 ml, packaged on 7-Jun-2018, acquired 14-Aug-2018, reviewed 19-Aug-2018)
Appearance: clear pale amber with two fingers of fluffy pale ivory head, excellent retention and moderate lacing. (5/5) Aroma: resiny pine, caramel, mint, grapefruit & citrus, herbal. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, lingering and building bitter minty finish. (4/5)
I have the sinking feeling I might have to take the blame for this name. Right about two years ago (almost to the day!) I reviewed Cerulean Dragon and said Seriously? “Cerulean” Dragon? You don’t think that particular well has run dry yet? What’s next, “Periwinkle” Dragon? Then, this June, Lacey Cropley of Alley Kat posted a comment on that review, announcing the release of this.
I’m so sorry.
Well, I am and I’m not. I previously opined that this series was actually getting better, not worse: the prior four I reviewed were, in order, 7, 7.5, 8, and 8.5. While this one isn’t a clear improvement over the last one, it’s at least not fallen off a cliff. This is a pretty old school DIPA, with resiny pine at the forefront, and I have absolutely no problem with that. I haven’t had a lot of Eureka hops, but I have to say, the mint is an interesting little addition. All in all, I’m happy to say this is near the top of the series. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
