Russell Brewing Company Miami Rice American IPA at 7.0% ABV | 20 IBU (C$3.92 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 17-Nov-2018, reviewed 3-Dec-2018)
Appearance: hazy pale gold with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (5/5) Aroma: pineapple, citrus, caramel, tropical fruit, light funk. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, light tart. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, medium duration lightly tart finish. (3/5)
I’m not sure what this has to do with the Eighties, other than the fairly tenuous “Rice/Vice” pun. Certainly neither Citra nor Mosaic hops existed then, nor I suspect did Sacc Trois yeast, so at best this is a serious anachronism. You might be justified in accusing me of reading too much into a beer name, were it not for the fact the can notes also say “Best enjoyed while listening to cheesy 80’s TV theme songs in your beige and pastel blazer.” That aside, it’s not actually terrible, and there are hints of nearly Belgian Tripel in there, presumably courtesy of the Sacc Trois, but it’s too sweet for my preference. Not to mention, funk and fruit can be a tricky combination, inviting comparison to fruit rotting in the tropical sun. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
