Luponic Distortion: IPA Series No. 019
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Clear golden color with a foamy white head that retains moderately well and does produce some nice lacing.
The aroma is citrus,pine and grass with some light sweet malt.
The taste is grapefruit, lemon, crackers and grass with some stray hints of orange, passionfruit and a dry pine and citrus pith finish.
The body is light/medium, fairly smooth and easy to drink.
Altogether this is a decent and refreshing IPA. Very Nice.

L: Pale yellow-golden color. Medium head with a little lacing.
S: Bright citrus smell up front with notes of grass and a hint of grapes
T: Fizzy grassy lemon and bitterness up front, light malt and a slightly subdued bitter dry finish.
F: Bubbly, light, and slightly astringent.
O: Less flavor than the other beers i've had from this series, but i'd have it again. Very easy drinking.

Bottle poured into a Firestone Walker Brewing Co pint glass

A: Pours golden yellow with a frothy off white head that settles to a light layer and leaves a little nice lacing.

S: Dank, green, grassy, citrus zest, pine, underripe fruit, green grape and some tropical fruit, crackery malt, and only a hint of sweetness.

T: Dank, grassy, pine, cat piss, citrus, big grapefruit and lemon plus a little tangerine, underlying fruity notes, white grape, passion fruit, pineapple, apricot, peach, watermelon, and a hint of berry, super subtle coconut, crackery malt, and just a touch of sweetness.

M: Just a touch on the lighter side of medium body, moderate carbonation.

O: Interesting idea on the hop combo, but it came together rather rough. The even/odd good/meh alternating of this series continues. Glad I only snagged a single. Looking forward to Rev #20 already.

 

 

 

From a 12oz can:

Appearance: Clear yellow, ok head.

Smell: Danky aroma.

Taste: Starts with citrus bitterness, then a kind of weird vegetal note that slowly transitions to more of a citrus rind. Moderately bitter finish.

Overall: From the FW mix pack, this version of Luponic Distortion doesn't really work for me. Not sure how to describe the weirdness of the flavor of this beer, it wasn't too old, but not what I'm looking for in an IPA.

for all the sexy hops in this one, cashmere, talus, vic secret, among others, the beer is pretty pedestrian, at least on tap where i had it, seems like its been sitting in a long line, even faded a little, but i think this just came out. actually its pretty well made and mild, the quality is there i suppose, its firestone after all, but these hops should pop and they dont, in fact, its not even interesting in aroma or flavor from a hop standpoint, which seems almost impossible given these varietals, like this shouldnt be samey beer with as much pale malt flavor as hop character right? in that regard its almost more of a pale ale, some bitterness and just a little graham cracker sort of honey sweetness to the grain balancing out, but where is the white wine fruitiness, the berries and even citrus? it just isnt here. this is oddly almost more grassy than fruity in aroma and flavor, and the hops seems less aromatic and flavorful than they should, nothing really special about the way they come through here, i just never expected this to be so unexciting with these varietals, it makes no sense. hoping this is more dynamic in the cans, and i am curious enough to even pick some up to find out, there is no way these hops shouldnt be more distinctive in here. i expected like strawberry and marmalade and southern hemisphere white wine vibes, but it only gets to like, slightly floral, generic citrus, maybe lilac or something in bloom, but its really not anywhere near what it seems like it should be. the beer is clean and clear and light, there is some bitterness, and i like the quick finish and the grain presence, but i wanted infinitely more from this. will check out the cans though and report back...

This edition is brewed with all New Zealand hops: El Dorado, Blanc, Vic Secret, Comet, and Cashmere. Handsome clear (thank you) not cloudy brew with plenty of foam in the snifter. Aroma of lime peel. Flavors of unripe apricot with some grain and a touch of grapefruit peel. Moderate bitterness with a restrained green astringency.

This one starts with a hint of malt and finishes rather dry and tangy. Interesting range of flavors that makes for a distinctive IPA. Lighter bodied and less rich than so many of these hop concoctions. Highly drinkable nonetheless. From the 12 oz can purchased in the far Northwest. Dated 08/0?/21.

 

Crystal clear straw with a foam head that reduces, then stays around.
Nice herbal notes, grapefruit.
Grapefruit rinds, a hint of tropical fruit. Some pine resin.
Light bodied, carbonation good.
An enjoyable beer.