The shockingly low (for an IPA) ABV of 4.0% and the proud "100 calorie" at the bottom should tip you off to the fact that this is a beer with a very specific market. There have been a few of these low-cal beers from craft brewers trying to do right by people who would otherwise be relegated to the likes of Miller Lite or Bud Lite. Will this one be the break-out hit we need?
It pours with a rising head that goes a lot higher than I expected - maybe I'm getting rusty. The hazy, wheat-colored beer's head leaves significant lacing on the sides of the glass, and the pillow tamps itself down to an uneven yet complete layer on top of the drink. The aroma is a tad dank with citrus and tropical fruits - so, pretty good.Fist sip is a harsh bitterness right off the bat, and it doesn't let up. Instead, it gets more bitter as the fruits are washed away under a torrent of watery bitterness. So far, this reminds me more of the NA beers - it's trying so hard to make you taste something that it doesn't seem to care what that something is. So, we are left with all the downside of the hops without the upside.
Tip-in is a bitter bite with lemons and tangerines squirting out the sides with a carbonation doily. The middle is hollow and empty (I would say watery, but it's not that thirst-quenching) with a bitter pall and grapefruit joining the retreating fruits as carbonation steps it up a notch. The finish is a dry and WAY too bitter sizzle on the tongue before everything but the bitterness runs away.
Bottom Line: I see what they were trying. Next time they'll get it.
1.25/5