Röðull
Ölvisholt Brugghús

 

On tap at Micro Bar.

Pours a very clear amber that would be dark for a pils is but is quite light for the style. NIce head.

Smells bready with some faint nodes of spicy and citrusy hops. I got no idea what the hop profile is here, partially because its so faint but also because it's pretty unique.

Tastes more intense than it smells, but still quite light and crisp for a 6% IPA. I just looked up the hop profile on their website--which is nicely done, albeit in Icelandic--and in addition to a fairly typical American hop bill (Summit, Columbus, Cascade), they use one called "Galena," that complicates the flavor by adding flavors I usually associate with British pale ales. The result is smooth, citrusy, and spicy while imparting very little bitterness. My only complaint is that the flavor is pretty faint.

(4.25) A: Crystal clear with a straw-copper colour. Tall marshmallow-like head. Long lasting retention and well laced.

(4.0) S: Baked bread, grasses, pine, tangy citrus, and a fair amount of spices (including cloves). Bread and pine dominate the nose with a nice compliment of grapefruit and spice. As this warms, the aroma is focused on the herbal and grassy elements.

(4.0) T: Bitter pine, herbal and grassy, tangy grapefruit, and a more dry biscuit-like malt backbone. Slight mineral water taste on the front end. A heavily bitter and dry taste takes over that is very appealing.

(4.0) M: Medium bodied with a higher carbonation. Fizzy in the mouth immediately after opening (reminds me of that Lotsa-Fizz candy). Slightly creamy texture.

(4.0) D: A very well done IPA that is bang on in terms of bitterness and dryness. The lighter flavours (grass, herbal, spices) are well appreciated.