The Great Northern Brewing Company _Going to the Sun IPA_ American IPA at 5.7% ABV | 51 IBU (US$1.99 at Brix Bottleshop, 355 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 22-Oct-2018, reviewed 27-Oct-2018)
Appearance: slightly chill-hazed pale amber with one finger of loose pale ivory head diminishing rapidly to a thin cap and ring, moderate spotty lacing. (3/5) Aroma: bready malt, light citrus & mixed fruit. (6/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration bitter finish. (3/5)
No packaging or BB dates, but considering it was brewed in Whitefish and I bought it in Kalispell, I was hoping it would be reasonably fresh. (I was actually thinking about taking the GttS on my route down, but it had just closed for the season.) Other than the fact that the hops are relatively muted, and the malt relatively high, I’m detecting no indications of age (and a quick check of online reviews suggests other reviewers are seeing the same characteristics) so I’m going to assume it’s supposed to be like this – which isn’t terrible, but isn’t great, either. As A/IPAs go, it’s distinctly old-fashioned and malt-dominant: despite containing Cascade, Columbus and Centennial hops, there’s not a whole lot of hop character. The malt dominance continues through into the finish, which, though pleasingly bitter, is slightly stickier than I prefer. (13/20)
6.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
