Look, I know what order these reviews are coming out in. So, I held back on this beer to give this multi-pack a good, solid third review. The black IPA was a real surprise with just how good it was, but I expected the rye beer to be crap. The IPA, though, is starting off several step ahead of everyone else because IPAs are where gold lies (not the color - it's a metaphor).
First sip exactly follows the nose - dusty tropical fruits. It's pretty good, but the dusty nature of some hops is something that I feel like the actual flavor has to power through. I've been a bit distracted while reviewing this, and that has allowed time and a bit of warmth to settle in since that first sip (yes, the previous sentence). Second sip is more mild than the first, and the caramel malt is more pronounced.
Tip-in is caramel malt with those dusty tropical fruits alighting on top of it. The middle progresses into a heightened carbonation with the malt being chewed up by the carbonation combined with the mango, guava, and starfruit, but the dusting is gone. Bitterness comes alive with the dust before the trail off of light and succulent fruits.
Bottom Line: It's got something going on, but it doesn't quite get to the point.
2.75/5
