Coastal Quest IPA
Sly Fox Brewing Company

Sly Fox doesn't shy away from calling this a West Coast Style IPA and without a precise definition they may not be incorrect. But to be fair, don't expect a clear amber body nor a less fruity hop imprint. It does seem like a few of the different hops used are doing double duty. Tropical fruit, stone fruit, citrus, herbal, floral and resinous notes are all in the mix. Bitterness is modest, decent carbonation, good aftertaste. The end result is fine however.

 

 

Sometimes prejudice enters into evaluations. If you really like cask hand pumped beers, they may get a higher rating than if the medium of the beer was a typically tapped, bottled or canned variety. So, from the hand pump it arrived in a nearly full clear pint glass. Almost exactly the color of a traditional IPA, it's brightly copper-amber and semi-translucent. This has a proper off-white head. It's not particularly aromatic, only very mild doses of both malt and hops are to be had. That carries over to the taste, which isn't bad at all. It is mild, for an IPA, but likely just right for this style of delivery. The hop/malt balance is excellent, and for those that like this method of pouring a beer, the mouthfeel is excellent. It's somehow rich and full, yet light.There's ample glass lacing, but because it slides down so easily, there's little time for admiration. Overall, this is a pleasant, but undistinguished IPA, with a probable boost in its rating because of the way it was presented.

I tried this beer off the tapper at the brewery as part of a four sample flight whilst in Pittsburgh for work. It poured a clear golden with thin white ring head that is leaving some lace. The scent had bold citrus notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with semi sweet malt base with supper citrusy presence. The mouthfeel was lighter in body and had good carbonation. Overall it is a good beer.

 

 

A decent IPA - to style it was juicy, it was hoppy, and it had some certain tropical flavors. The only issue is that it was hoppier than juicier, and it was more astringent to the tongue than I prefer. Nonetheless, as originally state - solid enough...

Poured into a wide mouth, grip shaped goblet: color is straw gold, slight haze, head is off white and presents one finger thick, some spotty lacing and a solid top remain.

Smell is pith, pine, citric juice, touch of biscuit malt.

Taste is similar with pith forward then pine and light citrus juice, malt is backing with light biscuit.

Mouthfeel is moderate carbonation, moderate sweetness, moderate bitterness.

Overall a good but not great IPA - advertised as 'West Coast' but seems light on bitterness and malt to characterize as such.