Phantom Beer Co. Space Force!! American Double / Imperial IPA at 10.1% ABV | 25 IBU (C$3.78 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 11-Oct-2019, acquired 15-Jan-2019, reviewed 24-Jan-2019)
Appearance: hazy particulate-laden medium gold with one fat finger of rocky pale ivory head, good retention and well-defined soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: boozy tropical fruit, dank pine, grainy caramel, solvent. (6/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-low bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, moderate carbonation, off-dry mild bitter boozy finish. (4/5)
Woof… a “Triple IPA” (yes, I know that’s not a thing – their designation, not mine) that’ll put hair on your chest, not that I needed more. To be honest, I could do without being reminded of the Orange Hate Cheeto while drinking, but at least this is beefy enough to dull the pain. The brewer claims 25 IBU, which on the face of it one might think is nonsense, but the fact is there’s very little residual bitterness. Residual booziness, sure, but not bitterness. To be honest, the booziness is a little unbalanced overall, with a not-entirely-welcome solvent note on the nose, and an overly-emphatic slick sweetness on the tongue. I guess they’re trying to do an “NE/hazy” take on this, but I think it would benefit from a bit more bitterness and a bit less sweetness. And far less Orange Hate Cheeto. (15/20)
7.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
