Fearrington Fall (2014)
Fullsteam Brewery

 

 

Bottle. Pours a cleanish orange color with a very skinny head. Wisps of white lacing. An "Heirloom Apple Rye IPA". They keep getting crazier and crazier. First sniff does not remind me of an IPA whatsoever. There is plenty of apple, though. The apple is very distinct and authentic. I honestly don't get much hops at all. I smell some rye bread. Or maybe just bread in general. Flavor is all apple and bread dough. Meager hoppiness. Medium bodied. Grainy finish. Hops lend a somewhat bitter finish but they almost completely avoid imparting any flavor. A textbook example of "when not to overuse the IPA moniker". This in no way resembles an IPA. Probably called it that to help it sell better. It's actually a good beer; unique to boot. However, don't slap the word "IPA" on there just because.