Creamsicle IPA
Epic Brewing Company

 

Look: Pours a pale yellow with a very thick, white head.

Smell: Pungent and juicy orange and tangerine aromas, also getting hints of other citrus, pine, and floral patterns.

Taste: Orange, lactose. You can definitely get the orange creamsicle vibe. There is a little mustiness to it as well that takes a bit away from the flavor. Kind of a farmhouse ale vibe built into an IPA. That part doesn’t bother me, but I was expecting the taste to be a bit more complex.

Feel: medium-heavy body because of the lactose, stamped with an 8.5% ABV. Mine was from a pint bottle so it was a long ride to the end.

Overall: Taste could have been more complex but a solid offering nonetheless.

 

 

16oz can pours out full-on hazy; milky-looking golden orange with a clingy white-ish head. Lots of orange/fruity character on the nose with that vanilla/cream/lactose underneath. More vanilla arrive on the palate with lactose in force, blending with the orange juice to create that impression of a milkshake. Lots and lots of citrus character with no bitterness at all. Lighter bodied at this abv, mouthfeel is about medium-bodied.

 

Feel is silky smooth. Very creamy and you can definitely tell the lactose is present. That is the highlight of this beer for me. The smell is bitter hop which is good and I like it but it’s not what I’m expecting from a beer described as orange cream. Flavor is all bitter hop on the front side as well. There is some sweet orange flavor on the back end but you have to reach for it. I’ve had other orange cream style IPA’s and this one is the low point for that particular style. It would be better described as just a juicy Milkshake IPA and I would score it better in that category but the simple fact is that the orange and cream isn’t pronounced enough to justify the description and advertising. It is a decent beer but you could do better if you’re looking for an orange cream style IPA.