Green Spectacular
Mystic Brewery

 

 

i love mystic, and this is a nice ipa, but this is really not what they do best in my opinion. as good as this is, its the saisons and belgian styles i love and respect the most from mystic, but this was cool to try. it is quite hazy and just a shade darker than i feel like these have generally become. a little light coming through too, its not totally milky or sloppy looking, and it has a fizzy and lasting white head on it, great carbonation activity. the hops smells awesome, a little bit unique too, things like pine bitterness meet kiwi fruit, melon, and generic citrus, its leafy and green and fresh, rightly named. i smell a little yeast too, curious in the style but i dig it, lightly doughy or something, it fits weirdly enough. the flavor is all hops, to me neither as distinct or as vibrant as they are in the aroma to me. lightly peppery or harsh or something for a second, but not overdosed, not bitey or too intense, but without some of the fruity subtlety of the smell. melon and citrus, tea-like bitterness, and a little grain density to balance it. i think this would be a better beer scaled back a bit, maybe down to regular ipa strength instead of being a double, a little less of everything might take the edge off. that said, this tastes great, is on trend, and is more refined than most. great carbonation really helps, and even though its a little heavy, its not like that in the belly. flavorful, a bit unique on the hops, id like to know what all is in here, but even at 7% abv i think i would like this better...

This is what a Northeast Double IPA should taste like. Bursts with juicy citrus flavors, yet with the usual soft mouth feel from Mystic. Color is a nice, hazy pale orange. While the can suggests "Open and sniff!", the hop scent dissipated quickly for me. Still, this is an excellent DIPA, one of my favorite Mystic hoppy offerings, and definitely a contender with the best of the Northeast DIPAs from Massachusetts.