Tequila Barrel IPA
Canteen Brewhouse (Il Vicino)

 

Served in a 10 ounce pub glass at Canteen Brewhouse. Snifter would be great here so that's a bummer.

Glass arrives nearly full, leaving only a quarter finger for a frothy, creamy-colored head. Lace is plentiful. Liquid is dark golden and orange with a cloudy look. 4

Citrusy and tropical fruit notes pierce the nose. Some creamy, sweet caramel and vanilla malt. No tequila. 4

Oof! There's the tequila! Earthy, biting and grainy, pretty much what a shot of tequila tastes like. A lemony or limey flavor joins this and actually works well, very much like taking a shot and following with a lime (wussy style). Sweet malt flavor smooths out the harsher tequila flavor and contributes notes of caramel. Tequila isn't exactly the tastiest spirit to me, so that makes enjoying this a challenge, but I find myself liking it. 3.5

There's a bite from the tequila and from the hops and there's a strong bitter dry note throughout. Fortunately the malts smooth things out. 3.5

I like and appreciate the experimentation. I'd like to see more tequila barrel beers. Having said that, they are not for all and in cases such as this beer, may be overbearing for some. This brew is good but not for all.