Town Square Brewing Market Series IPA #003 – American IPA at 6.5% ABV (C$4.18 at Collective, 473 ml, no packaging date or best before, acquired 19-Aug-2020, reviewed 23-Aug-2020)
Appearance: clear pale gold with two fat fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and moderate soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: bright, resiny pine, tropical fruit, citrus, pale malt. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry moderate bitter finish. (4/5)
Hopped with Strata, formerly known as X-331 (which has marketing notes of “passion fruit + strawberry + grapefruit + wafting cannabis”). This is far better than #002, which was fine but nowhere near as good as #001, which I described as a reference for the WC style. I initially thought this one was maybe not quite as good as #001, but after much thought (though, unfortunately, only the one pint) I conclude it’s probably just as good, though not quite as dank and traditional WC. In fact, there might be an argument that, brighter and juicier as it is, it’s a bit of a modernization and spiritual successor to the WC lineage. Philosophical meanderings aside, I like this a lot. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
