Short's "Huma Lupa Licious" Double IPA

This is the start of something. Will it be good? I got another variety pack, so there will be more from Short's coming up. I can't let anticipation of future beer distract me from the DIPA I have before me, though. For some reason, I read all of the names of these beers with a Schwarzenegger accent, despite them all being from Michigan.

The beer is a pleasing brassy-gold. Now I say that, and I know that sometimes I call something brassy in color and other sites (that I may visit later) will call it gold. This is more like brass, and anyone who says different is not, like me, a geoscientist (according to the free pin I got over the internet). The off-white head is nicely sticky and it's already leaving lacing! The aroma is sweet malt and floral fruits. I am digging the mix they have going on here.

First sip is much more floral than it is fruity. If anything, there is more pine mixed in with the flowers than any of the fruits I thought I was getting. The sweet malt is holding back most of the bitterness, but the solid DIPA base is the same as I think I've found in every DIPA so far. Something about the Double IPA makes the beer nice and firm throughout the whole drink. But I've only had a sip.

Tip-in is moderate carbonation with the toffee malt forward, but bitterness and flowers are joining in a strange way. The middle sends carbonation to the roof, and the caramel and toffee malt is a blissful blend under the haze of a floral and pine hop that has no bite, just added flavor. The finish is where some of the bitterness waits, but the sweet malt is up to the task of keeping most of it at bay for a floral and toffee trail off.

Bottom Line: Licious.

4.0/5