450 North "Crystal Vision" Double IPA

A 450 North beer that doesn't claim to be dank is something I can buy into. I wasn't a fan of that Dank Candy Gummy Haze (What name could more accurately indicate a bunch of guys who were high came up with it?) Well, Crystal Vision sounds... like... oh crap. They were high with this one, too, right? Dangit.

This is another patchy, sticky head that leaves a nice selection of fluffy pillows floating on top. This time, the beer under it is a hazy gold-amber color, and it emits a delightful doughy bread malt and citrus hops aroma featuring grapefruit.

First sip is a quiet start with a sudden bang as it goes out. It's got mango, grapefruit, tangerine, and oranges that are almost nowhere in the beginning which is just the fairly mild taste of the doughy malt. As a sip, I can't say it scores very high, as it is just too wobbly.

Tip-in is juicy juice of the grapefruit and tangerine while the carbonation sizzles lightly. The middle arrives with a well balanced bready (not doughy this time) and grainy malt to offset the mango, tangerine, grapefruit, and orange. The finish is not the crazy slap that it was in the sip, but it's still unbridled with bitterness taking things for a ride with the peel from the fruits leaving a less pleasant taste than the middle had.

Bottom Line: Sometimes good enough is good enough.

2.5/5