3.8 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
From growler. Hugely hoppy aroma, piney and grassy with notes of lime citrus, wood and spice, some winey touches from the plentiful Nelson Sauvins, as well as a lightly sweet, honeyish malt presence. Clear medium golden in color, with a fine, slight head (likely not more robust due to being dispensed via growler). Flavor profile is likewise dominated by the NZ hop character, more winey, grassy, peppery and citrus tones, the flavors carrying through from beginning to end, and accented by a gentle bitterness and lightly malty finish. Smooth, dry and lightly oily on the palate, body is medium. Very pleasant and tasty.
4.1 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
A harsh IPA. On a hot Lawrence day, this isn’t necessarily a good thing. A mild pleasant piney aroma, clear golden appearance, a sharp bite at the beginning are its high points, but the harsh aftertaste and astringent character of the mouthfeel could be mellowed.
3.4 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
Draft in a sampler at the brewpub. Pours a completely clear gold with a finger of just barely off-white head that laces the glass. The aroma has a sort of stinky, damp quality that suggests wet leaves; also notes of citrus, earth, and cereal malts. The flavor has more citrus, earth, dry grains, and pale and toasted malts. Light-bodied, with a citrusy mouthfeel and moderate carbonation. Decent IPA.
2.7 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 5/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 10/20
On tap at the brewhouse. I get a bitter funk on the nose - not a dank massive hop funk, just more like an off aroma. Pours golden and very clear. The taste is dominated by the bitterness, with the hops not playing much in the flavor and aroma. Different than some of the other Nelson’s i have had.
3.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
Several 10 oz draft glasses at the Brew Pub in Lawrence, Kansas. The pour is mostly clear golden copper with a 1/2 inch off white head. The head leaves nice lacing as it falls. The aroma is a leafy dry bitter hoppiness, earthiness, light touch of along with toasted malt. In the back there is a hint of vegetal pepper. The taste is mostly about the dry hop bitterness, the earthy leafiness of the nose, along with a bit of grapey fruit sweetness. The toasted malt is present, adding a nice base to the dry bitterness. The palate is medium to light bodied, active natural carbonation, and a bone dry finish. Interesting beer, quite unique from the various other Free State IPA’s I have had.
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