Southern Cross
Rock Art Brewery

On tap at McGillicuddy’s Five Corners. They poured this into a tulip. The appearance was a burnt orange to almost copper color with a nice sustaining cap of white foamy head. Once it dissipated, some lace slid into the beer. The aroma had some sweet to earthy spiced zestiness flowing into some tropical tones. Light leafiness tickles the underneath. The flavor leans in with the sweetness from the hops and has the spicy portion barely touch the malt base. There’s a zest that kicks in to cross lines with some sweet citrus, but for the most part, fairly mild. Quick semi-sweet citrus to tropical fruit aftertaste balances with a slight zest in the finish. On the palate, this one sat about a light to medium on the body, perhaps closer to medium. Moves nicely along my tongue in the ebb and flow from earthy spice to smooth sweet hops and malts. Overall, Rock Art is doing their best to keep up with the ever changing landscape of Vermont beers. Is this up to par with the "VT DIPA" standards? I say it is. Just don’t expect as much bitterness, if any at all.

 

 

Very hazy orange brew. OK head retention.

Juicy and sweet aroma: mango, honey.

Much more bitter on the palate; surprisingly old school. Grainy malt flavors. Grassy hops, orange peel.

Smooth and lively.