Fat Orange Cat "She Drives a Plymouth Satellite" New England IPA

I like the way these guys design cans. I wish they would make the name a little easier to read on some of them, but they all contain the necessary information, and they also have a flair that makes them stand out. I think that may be why I keep buying them - they attract attention on the shelf. The problem is that they tend to be expensive, but I don't let that stop me, do I?

The very hazy orange beer has a reasonable head that dissolves into an uneven and thin cap across the top of the beer; it is leaving some lacing of tiny little bubbles as it recedes. The aroma is rough and tumble juices on top of other juices, and they are all sporting for a fight. The arena? My mouth.

First sip is sweet fruit of orange, grapefruit, starfruit, and tangerine. It's a strong sip, but it's a good one. I have often found these NEIPAs to be sweet and full, and I seem to gravitate to the style as a result. So, as a sipping beer, I approve. But what is a sip but a swig that hasn't worked?

Tip-in is sweet and tangy orange, grapefruit, tangerine, mango, and starfruit with little to no carbonation interaction. The middle is a sublime mix of the fruits with a wiry grain that fills the mouth just enough to not overwhelm (there's no danger of this becoming watery anytime soon). The finish is an uptick of the sweetness so as to overwhelm the trailing off fruits and the general buzz of grains.

Bottom Line: A Plymouth never rode so smooth.

4.0/5