Inscrutable Exhortations
Sly Fox Brewing Company

Don't remember much about the specifics of what I liked about this brew, which I purchased in 4 pack of 16 ounce cans nearly a year ago. All I know is that it tasted so good to me that I downed them way too fast, setting the stage for a jolly fight with the cranky, teetotaling ex-wife. Now that I can have a beery reverie without a judgmental presence hovering over my shoulder, I hope that Sly Fox will one day brew up a new batch, so I can try it again, uninterrupted.

Smooth for an imperial

Poured into goblet: color is hazy straw gold, thick but not too dense, great bright white head with fine to small bubbles, head presents 1 finger thick and lingers well with near solid retention and nice lacing on the glass sides.

Smell is light stone fruit, some citrus, but big herbal, minty note with some pine and a hint of toasted malt.

Taste has a range from fruity to herbal and spicy, with notes of citrus, berries, stone fruit, mint, herbal spice, and then lighter notes of malt with a subtle sweetness that is then overtaken by the drying bitterness.

Mouthfeel is low to moderate carbonation, light sweet presence, then drying, bitter presence on the tongue and cheeks to a lesser extent.

Overall this is an interesting brew with a different hop aroma/flavor/presence than anticipated - really unique with a strong minty/herbal hop character.

Sly Fox Brewing Co. "Inscrutable Exhortations"
16 fl. oz. can, "CANNED: 11/07/2019 BEST BY:03/07/2020 #450129" and sampled on 01/08/2020
$4.49 @ Roger Wilco, Pennsauken, NJ

Look: Hazy golden body beneath a short head of white foam. Better than average head retention and very good lacing.
Smell: Hoppy with peach, non-specific citrus, and soft pine and herbs (mint, rosemary) over a grainy and biscuity malt base.
Taste: The notes in the flavor are clearer with the same grainy, biscuity, and bready malt base threaded through with notes of flowers, lemon zest, peach, apple, soft and sweet red berries, and pine & herbs. It's malty and sweetish but balanced by a very firm bitterness that helps it to finish mainly dry. Bitterness and some earth and herbs linger for some time.
Feel: Medium-full in body and gently crisp with a fine bubbled carbonation. Smooth.
Overall: Many double IPAs have a battle going on between a heavier and sweeter malt base and hop flavors and aromas. They can be bombastic, and never really come together, but this one is tightly tied and focused. The hops could be brighter and clearer but that's a trade-off for a beer that seems all put together as opposed to one that you get in pieces here and there. You have to look for some of the nuances but that's fine by me. Worth trying.
Review #6,888

this is a heck of a beer from sly fox. long on tropical fruit flavors with just a touch of bitterness. very smooth and pleasing mouth feel. the aroma is fruity and spicy - very nice! i will definitely seek it out in the future.

 

Gden yellow in color with slightly hazy, viscous appearance. Poured with a moderate, bright white foam with very good retention. Herbal hop aromas, tobacco, and berry fruit aromas. Malty aromas throughout. Medium bodied with soft medium carbonation. Creamy feel followed by light prickly warmth. Herbal, earthy flavors up front with light floral and citrus notes. Medium malty backbone. Medium spicy bitterness through the middle. Minty and fruity papaya flavors on the back end. Finished dryly with mellow fruity and herbal notes and light herbal bitterness. Great look and feel. Hop forward with a solid malty backbone providing balance. Complex, unique hop character makes this very interesting. Easy drinking with a great finish.