Cabin Brewing Company Star Burst – Triple IPA at 9.5% ABV | 60 IBU (C$5.35 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 19-Mar-2021, acquired 26-Mar-2021, reviewed 5-Apr-2021)
Appearance: hazy straw with two fingers of rocky white head, excellent retention and heavy chunky lacing. (5/5) Aroma: juicy sweet tropical fruit, citrus, cereal grains, oats, light melon. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: medium slightly creamy body, moderate carbonation, sweetish lingering bitter warming finish. (4/5)
The label says this is a “Triple IPA with Galaxy hops”, and checking the brewer web site confirms this is in fact the single hop. The aroma is pretty much what I’d expect from that hop, one of my favourites, so it’s small surprise that I’m rating it so highly. On the tongue, though, it’s just a shade too sweet. I understand the challenge of keeping a beast like this on a leash, but I’d prefer it to be a bit more juicy and a bit less sweet. That sweetness carries through into the slightly sticky finish, which also starts to get a little less “orange juice” and a little more “melon rind” (perhaps what the brewer refers to as “lychee”) as it warms. These are all minor quibbles, though, and in all I consider this a top contender (in a three-way tie for first) from a brewery that I tend to rate quite highly (μ=7.7, σ=0.6 for n=18). (17/20)
8.5/10 ryansbooze.com #ryansbooze
