Raw Power
Notch Brewing

Very smooth and drinkable. Mellow hoppiness - understandable that Notch isn't in the hop bomb biz. Started good, but as I made my way through the pour I appreciated more and more how well-crafted it is.

 

Poured from a can, it still provides a good and lasting head. Dirty gold color and mildly cloudy.

Nice floral hop up front with a lightly sweet berry like smell.

The flavor is drier than the smell. The hop is more muted as well. The body is above average as is the carbonation. The finish is a pleasant blend of the main elements. Reasonable length for the aftertaste.

 

Best by May 4, 2020
Pours a large frothy foamy 1.5 finger head with great retention, soapy lacing, hazy cloudy med orange color

Nose brings tons of bright citrus and tropical fruit, orange cream, big tangerine, a little pithy, light mango and papaya, generic tropical mixed in, light doughy malt

Taste brings pithy citrus up font, some grapefruit and generic tropical, tangerine juice, orange cream, mango sorbet, little pineapple, very light malt, plenty pithy, dry finish, a little astringent bitter rind lingering

Mouth is lighter bod, a touch juicy but not creamy, med-high fizzy carb, a bit astringent

Overall not bad, hard to get a lot of flavor in such a small beer, lack of malts was a bit of a detriment as the lack of body didn't help balance the hops and it got a bit astringent, but otherwise enjoyable, and no oniony mosaic.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by Notch's Raw Power. It's only 4.5% and labeled as a "Small IPA," which I like better than "Session IPA." For a brewery known for their great low-ABV lagers, I was delighted at the delicious, citrusy pop it has. It reminds me of a good old-fashioned west coast IPA, only smaller. Cheers!

 

 

 

 

Drank from a 16 fl. oz., 473 ml. can purchased at Craft Beer Cellar, Belmont, MA
01/10/19
Served in a willi becher

Cloudy, yellow ochre appearance. The liquid was topped by a frothy, finger-tall, off-white crown that slowly fell to a clingy collar. Tiny streaks of lacing stuck along the glass.

The aroma started out quite fruity and bold. Peach and mango notes came through strong. Really juicy and sweet. As the beer sat, the tropical and stone fruit notes subsided and citrus took over. Orange flesh was most apparent. Touch of dankness. The peach and mango notes reappeared later but came and went in waves.

The flavor profile was super clean and bright but perhaps a bit less interesting than the nose. Citrus notes dominated. Loads of juicy orange flesh. Tangy tangerine notes were also apparent. Crisp and lemony in the center. Fairly tart. Bit of citrus zest and rind-like pith on the back end and the finish. There was practically zero bitterness however. Really well balanced.

Solid mouthfeel. Medium-light bodied for a standard IPA but fairly substantial for a session IPA. The liquid contained a fine, great-than-average carbonation that turned fluffy and slick on the palate.

Raw Power is a solid session IPA that drinks far bigger than its 4.3% might suggest yet is still amazingly drinkable. Notch seem to nail lagers and session-style beers better than almost any other brewery in New England.

Definitely more taste and body than I would have expected from the 4.5 % ABV. Somewhat different from many of the IPAs marketed these days but a solid product in its own way. Could be a fine companion to outdoor activities whatever the season. This is now one of my favorites among the Notch products I've tasted and certainly worthy of repeat purchases.