Golden Hopportunity IPA
Thunder Canyon Brewery

 

Poured a clear amber orange body with no head to speak off and no cap of foam. Overall impression of appearance is of a nice IPA brought down by the lack of head, though that's likely due to the growler and not the brewer. Scents of pine resin, light citrus flesh and dirty, earthy, weedy hop undertones with light fruitiness and a light caramel malt backbone with a touch of spicy alcohol. Overall impression of aroma is of a by-the-books IPA. Nothing outstanding, but nowhere near bad. Flavor begins hoppy with notes of dirty, earthy hops at the forefront with light fruity apricot notes and moderate pine resin supporting and a solid caramel-like malt backbone. Middle continues malt backbone with an increase in pine resin and the addition of grapefruit peel with light spicy alcohol. Finish is bitter with notes of grapefruit peel and pine resin, along medium-light spicy alcohol and hints of caramel and biscuit. Aftertaste is bitter with notes of grapefruit peel and biscuity malt. Overall impression of flavor is of a rather typical example of an IPA. It has a stronger malt presence than many of the more recent West Coast examples, though not enough to be outside style and is a pleasant enough drink. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation and a slick finish. Overall impression of mouthfeel is of a nice IPA, true to style. Overall this is a fairly good IPA. It certainly cannot hold against the best examples of the style but it is also far from bad or indeed even mediocre. It is a solid offering and worth it if you like IPAs.

Pours a robust two-finger lightly-dirt-colored head over a clear gold-copper liquid. Smells green onion, pine, pinesol, baby aspirin, lemon, earthy and dank.

Tastes piney, acidic bitter, lemony, baby aspirin. Nice malt sweet undertone with supporting esters of pear syrup. Creamy in the mouth, though fairly light. Modest carbonation and goes down easily. Would be better if the hops had been harvested when fresh on the bine, rather than turned onion/garlicy. If you are the brewer and don't understand what I just said, drop me a note.