Braxton "Tropic Flare" New England IPA

Seven beers from a particular brewery should be enough to establish a pattern. And, I suppose the one that Braxton has is generally trending up. That said, seven beers doesn't seem like enough to judge an entire brewery. So, it is without a preconceived notion about this brewery that I enter into the second NEIPA that I've had from these guys. The first one was great, and I'm hoping they made this one even better.

This golden yellow beer has quite a thick haze to it. Light is making it through the middle of the beer, but it seems to just barely be making it. The head has a lot of staying power, but it's not overly frothy out of the can. I'm not going to see any lacing, but I do get quite a bit of foam that completely covers the top of the beer after it settles. The aroma is absolutely divine with citrus and heavy, heavy tropical fruits above a malt that seems to be imbuing it with a delicious sweetness. Only lacing could improve the presentation of this beer, but I'm happy with what I have so far

First sip is a delight to the senses. The lactose sugars are self-evident, and they might be intruding a little too much, but the smoothness that they add is undeniable. The fruits do not have their usual bitter bite, but they do impart a tart mist that lingers after the sip is gone. This is a very good sipping beer, and I am certainly hoping it matches or exceeds that estimation with a full gulp

Tip-in is quiet carbonation tingle with orange, grapefruit, mango, and starfruit bursting into the mouth. The middle pushes the carbonation to the back of the throat where it starts to sizzle as plums and apricots join the fruit medley and dried, crusty oats become the floor for them to dance on. The finish is a lance of bitterness that turns tart for a smooth and slowly drying trail off

Bottom Line: She's a keeper

4.0/5