Scofflaw "Basement" IPA

I don't count the number of beers I drink from each style. It seems like that would be too much work for... what would amount to be an incomplete list. I mean, I have IPAs, Black IPAs, White IPAs, and a host of others that are all some form of India Pale Ale. I am willing to bet that, in aggregate, IPAs are the most frequently encountered beer on my blog.

The golden beer has a bit of a haze going on that, based on recent experience with breweries stretching the definition of haze, would entitle them to say that this was a hazy IPA. They did not, and I applaud them for this. It produces just about the correct amount of head, but it leaves little lacing behind before it settles to a rather thick sponge of uneven bubbles floating atop the beer. The aroma is a bit musty and pine with a caramel malt lurking somewhere underneath.

The sip somewhat follows the nose, but mustiness seems to mellow the beverage while the caramel malt comes up to sweeten it. Normally, I'm not a huge fan of pine hops, but these are tantalizing in the midst of these complementing flavors. The carbonation fairly dazzles the mouth, and the whole sip is an entertaining experience. Let's see how a gulp works out.

Tip-in is moderate carbonation tingle with pine and citrus rising out of the mustiness; I had not expected the citrus, but it is welcome. The middle is smooth with the caramel malt winning the day and evening out the beer while the pine and citrus highlight enough to reassure the drinker that this is not a lager. The finish is a wave of bitterness and pine before the mustiness comes back up and tries to hold on for the trail off.

Bottom Line: Better than average, but this might be a bit too aggressive.

2.75/5