Nickel Brook Brewing Co. Wicked Awesome – American IPA at 6.5% ABV | 64 IBU (C$4.72 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 11-Aug-2020, acquired 3-Sep-2020, reviewed 7-Sep-2020)
Appearance: hazy straw with two fat fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention, heavy chunky lacing. (4/5) Aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, resiny pine, pale malt, melon, floral. (8/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium body, moderate carbonation, off-dry medium duration lingering bitter finish. (4/5)
The can says this is hopped with Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe – and that’s pretty much bang-on the flavour profile I’m getting. With or without the Bahstahn accent (or Newfoundland one, for that matter – the area where I grew up uses almost exactly the same slang) I’m not sure it’s wicked or awesome, but it is a solid brew. I’m tempted to argue that it’s not “really” an NEIPA because of its emphatic bitterness, but that particular aspect of the style seems to be pretty much optional these days, so perhaps that’s best just left alone. It’s also a bit too dank to be “juicy”, but I like dank, so… Bottom line, I’d be happy to have another one. (16/20)
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
