Phillips Brewing Company Test Pattern American IPA at 6.9% ABV (C$8.49 at Oak & Vine, 650 ml, best before 16-Dec-2018, acquired 29-Sep-2018, reviewed 13-Oct-2018)
Appearance: clear pale gold with two fat fingers of rocky white head, good retention and moderate lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus flesh & peel, tropical fruit, melon, pale malt, hint of rice. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter. (7/10) Palate: medium body tending slightly thin, moderate carbonation, off-dry slightly astringent finish. (3/5)
As usual no packaging date on this Phillips product, though there is a December BB date on the neck. It was announced early August, so I assume packaging took place very shortly before that, which would imply a (fairly odd?) five month or so BB period, and a current age of roughly sixty to ninety days. Not bad as rice beers go. It’s hard to know whether the rice character I’m getting is simply my expectation and association with macro lagers, but I’m pretty sure it’s really there, both as a hint of rice on the nose, a slight thinness in the body, and a lightly sweetish astringency in the finish. I found their anniversary releases to be pretty solid for the past couple of years, but this falls just a little short. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
