Squishy
Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery

At my lady Pamela's house; canned and chilled, from their IPA boxset 4-pack at my favourite LCBO at The Roundhouse Centre in nearby Windsor. My seventh beer from the Barrie, ON brewery.

 

 

473 mL can from the LCBO, included in a Flying Monkeys IPA mix pack. Dated Nov 9 2023 and served slightly chilled.

Pours a relatively clear medium gold colour, producing two fingers of pillowy, foamy white head that lasts for more than five minutes. Several bands of sticky lace become imprinted onto the glass in the process, with a frothy collar and soapy cap remaining upon the surface. It smells sugary-sweet: the milk sugar and vanilla meld into a confectionery uncanny valley that sort of approximates a marshmallow, but not quite. I'm also getting coconut (Sabro?), as well as hints of orange and apricot.

Hmm. I'm conflicted: yeah, I'm getting the marshmallow, and there's some underlying IPA flavour as well - mostly citrus and apricot, with shades of tropical fruit. So yes, it delivers what it advertises, but does it actually *work*? You be the judge. The vanilla is a little overused for my tastes, but not exactly dominant, while the lactose backsweetens the profile; together they maintain the illusion of marshmallow. Sweet-ish finish with an oversteeped black tea bitterness that fades into a vanilla/marshmallow aftertaste. Medium in body, with a soft, creamy mouthfeel and low carbonation; very smooth, and surprisingly easy to knock back.

Final Grade: 3.75, squeaking out a B+. I'll say this about Squishy: it's the best 'marshmallow IPA' I've ever tried. Of course, it's simultaneously the worst one, too. Unlike many Flying Monkeys IPAs, the hops are not listed on the label - though they are listed on the website, and I was not at all surprised to see Sabro (alongside Idaho 7 and Mosaic). I am not exactly enamoured with this brew, but it did grow on me during the session.

[Updated Jul 20 2024]

Another tall can, but from a newer mixed pack; this one was dated Mar 21 2024. I really didn't notice much of a difference this time around - except of course for the gusher when I opened the can. So, there's that. I'm leaving the grade where it is, this is just one gimmick where I don't really see the appeal, no matter how hard I squint. Still, other BAs seem to appreciate it, and who the hell am I to rain on their parade? If the concept seriously intrigues you, you'd be foolish not to give 'er a go, but I don't see myself drinking this ever again.

473 mL can
Served in a stemless wine glass

This beer pours a golden hue with a slight haze to it. It is topped with several inches of off-white head that leaves rocky lacing.

Vanilla and marshmallow aroma

Sweet upfront with vanilla and marshmallow flavor. The back end has a nice citrus flavor. Good flavor combination

Medium bodied with a smooth, creamy mouthfeel

Easy drinking. That is exactly what I needed after a long, long road trip of the past five days.

 

 

 

473ml can served cold into a chalice. LCBO purchase and part of the Flying Monkeys seasonal IPA pack. Canned November 9, 2023.

Appearance - Mostly clear, dark golden brew with amber highlights. Two fingers of frothy white foam are poured with very solid head retention.

Smell - Mango and maybe plum with a very sweet sugary (marshamallowy?) aroma. Reminds me also of their Live Transmission.

Taste - Medium bitterness, some grapefruit pith and mango with underlying sugary and creamy marshmallow taste.

Mouthfeel - Medium-full bodied, a bit sticky and a tiny bit dry with astringency in the finish.

Overall - Good solid IPA that is part of what mixed seasonal mixed packs exciting. Not my favorite IPA from them, but an interesting and fairly well executed concept.

Marshmallow IPA
Dec 15 2023