Russell Brewing Company West Coast IPA – American IPA at 6.4% ABV | 60 IBU (C$2.92 at Collective, 355 ml, packaged on 16-Oct-2019, acquired 21-Nov-2019, reviewed 2-Dec-2019)
Appearance: slightly hazy pale gold with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: tropical fruit, pine, citrus, caramel. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly oily body, moderate carbonation, off-dry lingering bitter finish. (4/5)
Brewers notes say Chinook, Vic Secret, Citra and El Dorado hops, and of course claims to be a West Coast style – but on the front end the Vic Secret steals the show with tropical fruit notes, initially making it less dank and West Coast-ish than most examples of the style. There’s definitely a resiny, oily bitterness, though, and as the pint progresses that lingering bitterness grows, gradually tipping the scales towards the dank West Coast end of the spectrum. Good stuff. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
