Kings Head
New Republic Brewing Company

 

 

 

12 oz. can poured into tulip
(Feb. 22, 2018 packaged date printed on sticker on 6-pack plastic ring)

L: pale gold, about 70% clear with small amount of debris floating throughout it; pours almost flat, not even a full skin for a head; surprising bit of stick and lace off skin

S: grapefruit peel, grapefruit, green onion, pine tar; as it warms, orange ... and quite sweet with some biscuit malt in the background

T: grapefruit kolache if such a thing existed ... bread malt and hop flavor mix well; grapefruit peel; bitterness both hits up front with a grapefruit punch and lingers in the aftertaste with a more earthy flavor

F: after such a flat-looking pour you expect full softness, but it's still a bit crisp and prickly underneath the velvet ale-soft layer up front

O: very good brew and hopefully a permanent addition to New Republic's lineup; they've taken their time releasing an IPA, and kudos to them for releasing a good one; at one-month old in the can its hops are still very lively ... a guess is this brew will hold up nicely for as long as six months

Pours a cloudy deep amber color with a finger width foamy head. Head retention and lacing are both excellent. More of a malty, earthy aroma. I get some apples and piney resin. Very malty, bready taste. There is a strong piney hop with a nice transition to a sweeter apple. Strong bitter, astringent aftertaste. Medium bodied with moderate to heavy carbonation.

 

Poured from a can into a tulip glass. Clear yellow with a decent white head and lacing. Slightly fruity smell and taste. Not difficult to drink but a bit boring.