Halley's Comet Hazy IPA
Mike Hess Brewing - Miramar

Type: 12-oz. can
Reviewed as: New England IPA
Glass: Melvin 14-oz. Spiegelau IPA glass
Price: $1.84
From: Trader Joe’s in La Mesa, Calif.
Purchased: Oct. 3, 2020
Consumed: Oct. 11, 2020
Misc.: Canned on Aug. 31, 2020

Grabbed a can of this on a recent trip to Trader Joe’s. Did not look at the ratings but either way I would have tried it and going in there was no what that this could be better than a 3.75, judging from all of the previous beers I’ve had from Mike Hess. I hope that I’m surprised though. Back of the can read, “Connecting with the owners of Brendonhof Hop Farms was so special we knew we had to feature the Comet hops in a hazy IPA. Initially bursting with resin and pine aromas, the long tail rains down with grapefruit and mango and subtle bitterness. Unfiltered, leaving the whole goodness in there, this limited ale only comes around so often so grab it while you can.”

Poured a light golden hazy color with three fingers of frothy white head. Could see a few bubbles coming up along the sides of the glass. World-class foamy lacing. Almost perfect retention. A good looking beer. (Sight - 4.75)

Smelled big Comet hops right away. Also lime, lemon zest, dish soap, green vegetables, dank resin, pine needle, mint and grapefruit rind. Slightly better out of the can. (Smell - 3.50)

Tasted a little better than the nose. In order got Comet, dish soap, bitter grapefruit peel, dank resin, lime, lemon, herbal, menthol, green vegetable, pine needle, black licorice and mint. (Taste - 3.75)

Medium body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt, bitter finish. (Feel - 3.50)

This was good overall, but nothing I would need to have again. (Overall - 3.50)

3.68 | 83 | B

hoppy ipa - heavey hop taste

12 oz can canned on 8/26/20
Golden hazy swirl. Solid fluffy white head jumps out strong at 2+ fingers in height, slowly tapers off to a thin, scattered film. Decent retention, especially along the edge of the glass. Clumpy lacing.
Smell starts off inviting. Citrus and mango. So far so good. A hint of pine resin comes through that gives way to a little grapefruit pith. But about a minute or so later, a sulfur note pops in. It kind of builds, then thankfully backs off, but never fully disappears.
Flavor begins with a tropical melange of mango and orange, then gets a creamy sweet note that almost instantly drops off to a gristy feel/flavor.
Mouthfeel is lite and a tad fluffy. Moderate carbonation.
Overall, a loosely defined "hazy." Not a ringing endorsement I know, but although not bad, I won't seek it out again.

Can from Trader Joes. Really smooth and creamy mouthful with a strong citrus taste and smell. Almost like a grapefruit shandy. A bit unique. Tasty. Strays a little too far from the style to be a true all star for me though.