Bellwoods Brewery Double Monogamy: Simcoe – American Double / Imperial IPA at 8.5% ABV (C$8.95 at Collective, 473 ml, packaged on 5-Dec-2022, acquired 7-Feb-2023, reviewed 15-Feb-2023)
Appearance: hazy opaque pale amber with one fat finger of creamy pale ivory head, excellent retention and well-developed soapy lacing. (4/5) Aroma: juicy tropical fruit, melon, citrus, oats, faint cattiness & dank pine. (8/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-high bitter. (8/10) Palate: smooth medium-full body, moderate-soft carbonation, slightly sticky mildly warming lightly astringent finish. (4/5)
Isn’t that an oxymoron? (Shouldn’t it be called “Bigamy”?) Anyway, as usual I’m pleased as hell to be able to get Bellwoods products locally. This is the single-hopped Simcoe version, and I was initially impressed with the complete absence of the cattiness that often accompanies this hop. As it warmed, however, a little of that did come out, confirming that, yep, this is Simcoe all right. Not a lot, though, and not in an offensive way. Similarly, there’s a little sharp astringency that develops through the finish. I was exactly correct in predicting this would be right around a 4.2 on Untappd, and I suppose I could have rated it that highly, but for me it comes in just a little below that point. (Probably because they’ve set the bar so high in my fairly extensive experience with them: for n=45, μ=8.1 & σ=0.57.) Another solid performer from one of Canada’s best brewers. (16/20)
This will be my 5,489th unique Untappd check-in.
8/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
