DAF Brut IPA
Surly Brewing Co.

 

12oz can. Poured out a clear, pale gold color with a small, foamy, white head. It smelled of citrus, fresh cut grass and caramel. Sweet caramel, light citrus notes and a mild bitterness.

 

Poured from a can into a tulip.

Pours a hazy and very light yellow-gold. Lemonade-like. Almost like a wit in color. The head, however, is more foamy than rocky--about two fingers. A shimmery pleasant-looking beer.

The aromas are unique and fairly forward. Citrus (grapefruit, lemon, lime) and tropical fruits (mango/papaya) are typical, but white grape, white pepper, sawdust, and mustiness all present.

The flavor is initially fruity (tropical and ruby red grapefruit) but dry as promised. Just enough sweetness to offset the innate dryness, however, with hints of white grape, peach, and pear.

Enough about the flavors, which are simple and direct. This brew is all about the feel and the finish. Champagne dry. Bone dry. Desert dry. This is highly carbonated and "crisp" isn't a strong enough adjective. Extremely drinkable.

Overall, this is a solid beer regardless of style, and maybe the best of a style that I've tried but not particularly cared for. Very flavorful, with a finish that meets the promise of the name.

Looks super cloudy, nice white head disappears fairly quickly. Smells tropical and amazing. Tastes tropical also, not very dry. In fact, based on appearance and flavor I’d say this is a NEIPA! That’s why I ranked feel down, cause it’s pleasant but not to style

 

 

this is really fabulous beer, the best thing i have had from these guys in a long time, but really the first newer one i have encountered in ages too it seems like. cool to see draft and cans in colorado, they must be doing pretty well in this market. the beer is awesome, way ahead of some of the others in this all of a sudden popular style. its bone dry for one, supremely well carbonated, and actually still has some bitterness and drinks like an ipa. they did a great job with whatever fermentation techniques and enzymes are used, and the beer is clean and tidy and refreshing, cant believe its this strong! pale yellow and hazy, but not real hazy, only lightly frosted looking from the tap, and with a ton of carbonation landing in a short white head. aroma and flavor of very juicy, new wave hops, a mandarina type complexion to me, but there is citra fruitiness too, and then a oily almost wet hop freshness thing, really pretty dynamic and mouthwatering. flavor is fresh and crisp, almost like its been lagered, being so dry and fast finishing. notes of lemongrass and clementine and elderflower in the hop complexion, some bitterness too, and lots of fruity essence, but its not just dry hopped, its full spectrum. i could drink a pint of this in like four pulls, its easy and refreshing and delicious, and marks a high point of brut ipa so far in my experience, even restores some faith in the style. i loved it, and will be drinking it again as soon as i see it next!

Type: 12-oz. can
Glass: Clear 16-oz. Bruges beer glass
From: Sam K.
Price: N/A
Purchased: N/A; Received Jan. 18, 2019
Consumed: Jan. 25, 2019
Reviewed as: Brut Style
Misc.: Canned on Dec. 21, 2018 at 9:45 a.m. CT

Thanks, Sam!

Got this on Sam and Laura’s visit out here. Was excited to have this because of Surly and Brut Style, and despite the Vic Secret for one of the hops. Beer Advocate description had it as, “Featuring enormous flavor and aromatics from Southern Hemisphere hops and a shot of Citra dry-hopping, DAF harnesses the same brewing science that gives Surly favorites like Frisson and Rosé their bright, champagne-style finish. We harnessed it a lot. In the world of brut IPAs, DAF is the one that goes to eleven.” Vic Secret was the main hop with some dry-hopping from Citra. Hadn’t come around to Vic Secret yet, usually saying Vic’s secret is (the hop) sucks.

Poured a medium yellow hazy color with 1-to-2 fingers of off-white frothy head. Some slow moving bubbles creeping up along the sides of the glass. Below average foggy lacing. Below average retention. (Sight - 3.25)

Smelled Citra, the Vic Secret, lime zest, lemon, grapefruit, passion fruit, tangerine and some papaya. From the can was Vic Secret, Citra, passion fruit and grapefruit. (Smell - 4.25)

A couple of first thoughts on the initial taste. Damn that’s carbonated, wow, Vic Secret isn’t always that bad and that’s pretty smooth for a Brut IPA. Specifically got Citra, Vic Secret, huge notes of grapefruit pulp, tangerine, passion fruit, papaya and lemon zest. (Taste - 4.00)

Medium body. Oily texture. Fizzy carbonation. Long, dry finish. (Feel - 4.25)

Wow. Really surprised at how much the Vic Secret worked here and how much the Brut IPA wasn’t so Brutish. I think I underrated this overall. (Overall - 4.25)

4.09 | 91 | A-

 

 

 

 

 

Excellent Brut IPA. Beautiful light gold pour. Great mouthfeel. Floral hoppy flavor without being overpowering or bitter at all. This beer is extremely refreshing without sacrificing on flavor. Really glad Surly decided to make such a good Brut IPA.