4x8
Melvin Brewing

Taster at Bitter Creek. Bright golden with tight creamy head. Welcoming aroma of malts and hops. Hops move forward in the taste, sticky and bitter. Warmth creeps up on you. Unassuming, then Pow!

 

 

 

Served on draft.

Appearance: deep golden/amber with moderate haze, although not a hazy (NE) IPA. The head is a solid 2-fingers of off-white.

Aroma: sweet malt that is well balanced by the hops. The hops are present but do not dominate the nose.

Flavor: far more malt forward than expected. The hops are certainly present but not as dominate (hop forward) as Melvin’s other beers. This beer reminds me of a 2x IPA from yesteryear – more malty than today’s counterparts.

Mouthfeel: medium-medium, but surprisingly light considering this is 12% abv.

Overall: worth trying, but this beer ranks near the bottom of Melvin’s portfolio. As for 3x IPAs, Melvin’s Lambda is the better choice. If you are a fan of Melvin’s beers, this is a must try, but I wouldn’t buy this beer again.

 

 

 

Type: 10-oz. draft
Glass: Clear tulip-like skinny glass
From: Hamilton’s Tavern in South Park (San Diego), Calif.
Price: $10.00
Purchased: April 2, 2018
Consumed: April 2, 2018
Reviewed as: American Triple / Imperial IPA
Misc.: 2x4 Day

Made the trip to International 2x4 Day at Hamilton’s Tavern to the second time in the last three years (also 2016). Got there a bit later than I wanted to, which was probably a good thing since I got a Melvin glass (for ordering a 4x8) and a Melvin t-shirt. Anyway, saw the tap list ahead of time and knew that I wanted to have at least The Hop Shocker (Mosaic and Simcoe) and 4x8 once again. Had given 4x8 a 4.50 on Untappd back on Feb. 4, 2016, writing, “First to get this out of the crowd (not first to drink it). 5-oz. taster. Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang.” No idea of what hops were in it.

Was dark in Hamilton’s as always, but this appeared to be a gold clear color with 1-to-2 fingers of off-white frothy head. Could see some light bubbles I think. Good lacing. Outstanding retention. (Sight - 4.00)

Smelled dank resin, Simcoe, pine, tangerine rind, grapefruit, sugary Citra, Amarillo and orange creamsicle. (Smell - 4.25)

Tasted even better than the nose. Very boozy, but not 12 percent boozy. Later could taste that 12 percent though. Got dank resin, pine, Simcoe, tangerine rind, rubbing alcohol, Citra, Amarillo, orange, grapefruit and heaven. (Taste - 4.50)

Medium body. Oily texture. Average carbonation. Bitter, but smooth finish. (Feel - 4.75)

Not quite as good as I remember, but close. Just awesome. (Overall - 4.50)

4.44 | 98 | A

 

 

 

On draught at Frontier Brewing.

Pours a clear pale gold, small head of foam that shrinks but lingers.

Smells dank, tropical fruit, grapefruit, more dank.

Dank taste, tropical fruit, sweet caramel but also onions, bit of booze.

Full body, full flavour, excellent.

Holy shit! Big tropical fruit and dankness meet in a surprisingly easy drinking, strong ipa. Had two in one hout and bartender proudly told me I had the equivalent of a full bottle of wine! Good buzz but no dry mouth or scorched tongue. Get this on tap and take in some kung fu!

 

 

I had this side by side with several prominent imperial IPAs including brews from Fat Heads, Barley Browns, 10 Barrell, Breakside and several others. This was the best beer hands down IMO. I am not sure if I would take it over the Notorious Triple by Boneyard when it is fresh, but other than that, I have not had a beer I enjoy more than this one.