For several years, I have been looking for Yazoo's breakout hit. They've managed to have some pretty great beers, but they have never broken into the excellent category. Could this be the one? Well, I hope they don't include the flowers adorning the label in the brewing process, as my run-ins with Magic Hat have convinced me that there is nothing good that can come from that kind of alchemy. But, I don't think I've rated more than one beer from these guys as truly bad, so let's see if they figured something out with this IPA.
The beer has a bunch of sediment at the bottom of the can, and that sediment doesn't entirely sink to the bottom of the glass once poured. Instead, it grips the sides right where the glass slopes, and it is not pleasant to look at. Otherwise, the brassy beverage produces a moderate head that is sticky enough to leave lots of lacing on it sides. The aroma is citrus fruits over biscuit malt. It doesn't smell half bad. I also don't smell many flowers.First sip is not good. For a beer with 6.5% ABV, I expect a lot more flavor. Instead, the taste is similar to one of the low-calorie beers that I've tried in the past. It's very thin, and it seems to highlight the bad qualities of both the malt and the hops. Bitterness and dryness are going hand-in-hand with lots of water, and a spritz of grapefruit. I don't see how a gulp can save this beer. Nevertheless, I'm gonna give it a try.
Tip-in is grapefruit and biscuits floating on a waterbed with minimal carbonation. The middle is harsh and bitter carbonation hitting the back of the throat while a malaise of grapefruit rinds flow across a watery center. The finish is dry and bitter with peels and pits.
Bottom Line: Not a home run. Not a single. It strikes out, but at least it swung.
1.0/5