Dandy Brewing Company / Blood Brothers Brewing Station to Station American IPA at 5.5% ABV (C$7.99 at Oak & Vine, 650 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 29-Sep-2018, reviewed 12-Oct-2018)
Appearance: cloudy pale straw with three fingers and growing of rocky white head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy & zesty citrus, tropical fruit, pale crackery malt, light pine, earth. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium-light body, moderate carbonation, dry short finish. (4/5)
I think this might be my third Brut IPA, so it’s rapidly becoming an increasingly less novel style to encounter. I’d never heard of Blood Brothers Brewing before this, but they seem to be pretty hot stuff in Tronno, so I guess we poor western hicks ought be grateful they graced us with their presence, huh? (Actually, snark aside, this is a pretty fine beer, so I suppose I really should be.) Stylistically, this invites a comparison to Brett as well as Brut, particularly with the massive out-of-control head and the dry finish. However, there’s no funk to speak of, and it’s nowhere near as astringent as Brett usually is. I thought I caught a hint of baker’s yeast when I first poured, but it disappeared quickly, leaving behind juicy fruit, clean malt, and light earthy pine. I keep waiting for the big bite in the finish, but it never comes. All in all, a very pleasant and approachable brew, aromatic and fruity while remaining light and dry. Pretty much a Brut NEIPA, in fact, and definitely worth checking out if you appreciate either of these sub-styles. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
