Rocket Science IPA
Fullsteam Brewery

Poured from 12 oz. can into a shaker glass. No evident canning date. It pours a slightly hazy, bright golden-orange color with a finger of fluffy, bright white head and thick, clinging lacing. A rather subdued, malty nose with notes of pine, lemon, and grapefruit. The taste follows. It's a classic southern-style IPA with a fairly sweet base of barley and local North Carolina grains balanced with strong hop bitterness (85 IBU). The Centennial and Magnum hop influence is strong with abundant pine and peppery spice. The Mosaic and Amarillo hops contribute a slight tropical sweetness on the tip of the tongue. This ale is crisp with fairly lively carbonation and the 6.8% ABV allows for easy drinking. Overall, Rocket Science is a good, basic American IPA that bridges the gap between true West Coast and the southeastern style. It's well worth a try.

 

I love IPAs. Especially when they are dominantly bitter vs malty. This beer is so crisp and high quality. It really upped the bar for me.

 

On tap in a pint glass.

Golden orange colored clean liquid with a very thin white cap. Heavy lacing.

Part English IPA with a bit of citrus and floral hop aromas.

Malt forward with following hop flavors, caramel, orange, and floral.

Medium bodied, easy drinking, modest bitterness. Dry.

Regular old IPA that works well. I'll have it again.

 

 

 

 

 

I was enjoying this IPA, but the date code is NEVER legible on Rocket Science IPA. I have had to throw out so many that went sour because I don't know which ones are 2-3 wks old and which ones are 12-14 wks old. When I buy them at the store my (naive) hope is that they are no more than 30 days canned, but I am finding out that is not the case. If the store is not rotating stock, then I pick up much older ones and then have to dump it or drive back to the store. Please invest in better date coding equipment. Until then, I have moved to Trophy Wife whose dates codes I can see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A well-rounded IPA from the “Beautiful South.” Amarillo, Centennial, and Magnum hops help build some great tasting notes but not all that different from other IPAs. Higher 7% ABV. Canned from Trader Joe's in Raleigh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some dry hops, not too hoppy though. Botanical notes. Wouldn’t really call this an IPA, more of just a plain pale ale.

 

Poured from 12oz can into glass. Canned on date is '6/7/17'.
Can notes: "CITRUSY. FLORAL. REFRESHING. BOLD IN ITS SIMPLICITY."
Slightly hazy golden body, clearing as it settles. Two finger white head settles to thick cap. Moderate lacing.
Grassy, earthy aroma, very slight citrus.
Taste is soapy citrus, caramel. Very little bitterness.
Thin to medium mouth feel.
An alright IPA, somewhat refreshing.

 

Appearance: clear orange in color with a one finger head that slowly recedes. Thick lace paints the glass during the session.

Smell: orange citrus and some floral hops are detectable.

Taste: caramel, orange, pineapple, and a floral hop bitterness.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Lightly crisp throughout.

Overall: this is a good drinking beer and mildly refreshing.

 

 

 

 

With all the "west coast" this, and "new england" that, its good to see an IPA of balance, complexity and ease much in the way the earlier IPA- English inspired IPA.

Rocket Science isn't exactly rocket science. Its a comforting ale that starts with a common light amber, golden appearance. Hazy, frothy and lacy, the beer soon leads into a hop bouquet of citrus, pine and spice. Hints of caramel swoon with the hop presence and then graces the early palate with biscuit, granola and graham cracker.

As the ale develops, its sweetness relaxes but remains malty in texture and its breadiness. Meanwhile, the hops grow into a full and citrus inspired taste. White grapefruit, fresh orange zest and a hint of herbal lemon leaf quickly overtake the malts and take the beer into a hop dominant territory. Finishing pleasantly grassy and bitter, the taste finally rests with freshly muddled pine needles, sassafras an a hint of summer sun tea.

Medium bodied but registering light because of resinous hop dryness and the thinning nature of alcohol, the beer resonates long and lean with citrus peels and sappy pine, and spicy with mulled grasses and botanicals.