Bonus Stage
Otter Creek Brewing

Been a while since we've seen a new distributed IPA from Otter Creek. Ever since they lost Mike Gerhart to Hill Farmstead, I haven't been hankering for their stuff (and most of it has been pretty unavailable to me; they shifted focus to a lot of taproom-only offerings to get people to visit their space), but seeing this on shelves today reminded me how much I enjoy stuff like (Backseat) Berner, Daily Dose, Head Charge, and Free Flow. These guys killed the well-distributed VT hoppy beer game for a couple years, and I'm hoping this is a return to that place of glory for them. Only one way to find out!

This pours a completely-opaque creamy orange hue with a generous dollop of consistent, foamy head sitting stately on top. Excellent legs and pretty-superb lace, honestly. It has some vibrance when held up to light, and it definitely doesn't look as chalky or unappetizing as some modern haze-bombs... really, this looks spot-on; I don't think they've really tackled an "actual NEIPA" prior to this beer. They've done hazy IPAs, of course, but never anything this dense looking. Happy it's giving me a good vibe right away. Can't wait to see what's beneath the murk!

The nose is definitely juicy, with strong elements of mandarin orange, tangerine, and pineapple juice combined with a light orchard fruit and pine resin backing. Not very aggressive, but it has an interesting approach that has me guessing at the hop combination in use for this brew. I almost pick up an Azacca-like note, for example. Some light spice and grassiness... definitely doesn't have the in-your-face punch of the typical Citra/Mosaic or Galaxy-driven NEIPAs these days, but I could be wrong.

Quickly settles in on the tongue with a cleaner flavor than expected given the NEIPA stylings going on here. Fruit gum, pineapple, passion fruit, light touches of mango and mandarin orange once again, with a swallow of fresh-cut grass and a slight earthiness. Following smaller notes of spruce, pine, and spice with a soft and supple melon-like note. Slightly less full-bodied than expected given the ABV, but good carbonation and overall feel for the most part.

Definitely more mellow/less aggressive than some of the modern strains of NEIPA I've consumed plenty of over the past couple years that the style has been growing and coming into its own. If I had to guess, I'd say this utilizes some of those neo-German hops like Mandarina Bavaria or Huell Melon, plus some classic American varietals. That's the honest vibe I get from it; does not have the raw, leafy Galaxy edge or the "wtf is happening" element of Mosaic going for it. It's a little simpler and more down-to-earth, so if you like the sound of that... go out and grab this!

 

 

12 oz can from Vermont with a 5-8-23 canning date stamped on the bottom.

Appearance. Lightly hazy amber colored body with a foamy white head that left my cup coated with lacing.

This highly drinkable IPA is low in bitterness but has well balanced, moderately strong flavor. Highly fruity aroma. Medium body with soft, medium-high carbonation.

 

 

 

12oz. can into a tulip glass yo - About 1 Month Fresh

A: Pours a light orange color with a darker center. Half finger of off-white head forms and quickly dies down to a thin crescent moon. Little lacing with minimal at best head retention.

S: Sweet. Papaya and Melon. Orange? Maybe some Grapefruit. I was expecting moor aroma, but it is still nice.

T/M: Dank. Dark sweet fruits. Smooth. Sweet. Some tropical citruses. Melon. Slight hop bitterness in the backend. Medium bodied. Aftertaste is pretty clean with some hop flavor. Nice mouthfeel with a creamy yet prickly sensation.

O: This NEIPA is pretty basic but well made. Nice flavors with a solid hybrid mouthfeel. Also, easy to drink which always helps. Worth a try.

Cheers!!

12 oz can from the "Power Pack" IPA mix. Poured into a pint glass - 2 finger head with a creamy, opaque nectar look. Quite inviting. Smell of tropical fruit, some melon. Taste follows with citrus up-front and a very mild bitterness. A little bit one-dimensional, but that's ok. Very quaffable feel. Very nice IPA.

 

 

 

The overall 89 rating made me hopeful this would be an exceptional hazy IPA. I was disappointed.

Appearance was encouraging, moderately hazy.

Smell was almost non-existent.

Taste was… flat. Not much citrus or grapefruit. Just moderate bitterness, like many other middle of the road wet-hopped IPA’s. The bitterness was lasting, sticking around for a long time.

Bottom line, if you want a basic, decent, wet-hopped, simple, mostly bitter IPA, this will serve. But sadly, nothing special.

 

12 ounce can poured into a tulip glass. Canned 2/10/21.

L---Hazy, golden Amber color. Middling head that faded quickly to a cap. Remarkable lacing.

S---Citrus. Orange. Mango.

T---Citrus & tropical notes follow from the nose.

F---Medium bodied. A bit creamy. Good carbonation.

Can from a mixed 12pk can marked 111820 6297M

Pours into my tulip an opaque straw-gold with a bubbly off white head which quickly drops to a ring leaving small amounts of bubbly lace on the glass.

Scent is difficult to discern. Floral, soapy and citrus are all I'm getting.

Taste is better. Tropical fruit, grapefruit, citrus. Orange juice and rind. Mango, papaya. A fresh sweet doughy bread. Some stone fruit in the background - peach. Hint of green melon. Very low bitterness.

Mouth is very soft and creamy.

Solid example of the NEIPA style: low bitterness, soft mouthfeel, tons of fruit and citrus flavors and very little resin or bitterness.

Not bad for a quick pick up. Nice flavorful.

 

Always rooting for Otter Creek as I was always loved Wolaver's line and their old beers. Then enjoyed free flow fow a while. But this beer is for me caught in the middle of traditional IPA with NEIPS flair. Its way to sweet and malty in the nose and taste. the hops are not typical citrus and tropical whatever you get. the finish is malty sweet. not for me personally. drinkable yes. fan of otter creek yes. won't buy this one again.