Stratacumulus
Melvin Brewing

at first i was a little lukewarm on the strata hop, but a series of recent great experiences with it in beers like this has really rocketed it up my list, and its becoming sort of an instant classic for me now, i love it in these dry, juicy, brut, single hop types, its versatile like mosaic, but not so samey, seems like every hoppy beer is a mosaic bomb these days, i like how this can be fruity but also bitter, and i like it with a real simple grain base like this one here has, so it can kind of stand alone and do its thing, this is one of the better showcases of strata i have had to date. the beer is pale golden in color, soft looking with just a little haze to it, and a nice white head from the tap. smells and tastes juicy fresh, with canned pineapple, kiwi fruit, and pink guava notes leading the way, but also a more familiar almost citra hop complex as well, and then some bitter citrus to finish. delicate in feel, not oily or heavy or green or harsh from the hops, and the minimal malt profile keeps this drinking like a session beer, along with fine carbonation and a brisk dry finish. this is the perfect warm weather ipa, and i hope they keep it rolling through the summer. if you arent real familiar with strata hops yet, this would be a great place to start!