Social Probation
Right Brain Brewery

12 oz can with no date stamp but purchased just 2 weeks ago from refrigerated storage at the brewery's taproom in Traverse City, Michigan.

This had a very tall head despite a gentle pour, reflecting relatively high carbonation. Both the aroma and the flavor are unusual, but the mix works much better in the complex, dynamic flavor. Moderately bitter with some detectable sweetness.

 

A huge, four-inch, dense, white head stands a full quarter inch above the rim before turning rocky and eventually forming puffy balls. The beer is bright and hazy orange. Occasional thick patches of sticky lace cling to a Pretentious Glass Company pub pint.

Sweet tropical mango blends with freshly squeezed orange juice. Grassy onions follow after a few minutes. Mild cattiness eventually takes over and leads to a solvent aroma. This starts off at an impressive 4.5 and ends at a 3.25.

The flavor is surprisingly bitter for a NEIPA. The mango has an overripe flavor, and unfortunately, the onions invade from the aroma. The finish is long, filled with earthy cut grass. Sweetness is a secondary consideration.

It has a full body, smooth texture, and soft carbonation. The alcohol is mild and well below expectations.

While this is a decent beer, it doesn't meet my expectations for a NEIPA. I finally found the can date, and it is far from fresh (by MANY months). These scores represent my experience. While it definitely has qualities suggested by the label, age has not been a friend. Normally, I wouldn't post a review like this based on an old can, however, I bought it directly from the brewery, so they obviously felt it would represent their intentions.

 

 

Served on tap at the pub in a snifter. Dull garnet color with a solid finger of foam. Nice aromas of citrus hops and bready, sweet malt. Nice semi full feel and tangy grapefruit and tangerine hops smacking against biscuit malts.