Transatlantic Overdrive
Bear Republic Brewing Co.

 

On tap at Rattle-N-Hum in NYC, pours hazy gold color (in the bad lighting here) with a thick 1 finger foamy biege head that faded slowly and left excellent foamy lacing coating the sides and rings as it went down.

Nice Bear Republic hoppy blast up front which settles into cracker, chocolate malt and toffee before showing off the fruit and caramel accents. Some pine and citrus come through but not as hoppy as the initial whiff from the full pour and foamy head. Balance is almost even after a few more sniffs, making for a nice IPA nose.

Tastes of caramel, graham cracker, biscuit, orange peel, cocoa, grapefruit, pine cone/piney hops, wet grass, citrus hops and some toasted grains. Aftertaste seems like coffee grinds are floating in the brew as it shifts from hoppy to grainy with each sip. Interesting malt flavors add nice balance, not the hop bomb I expected from these guys but still pretty tasty.

Mouthfeel is creamy and slick, with light carbonation, a medium almost chewy body and a slightly bitter aftertaste which had a lot of malt sweetness.

Overall tasty and well balanced, I'd definitely have it again.

 

Not what you expect when you first smell it but you are greatly rewarded in the finish, nice long dry finish with the hops showing off in the mouth feel. Lemon and citrus peel are suttle and elegant. Had this beer on tap.