Fortress Imperial Hazy IPA
Kulshan Brewing Company

First review on this brew after adding it to log. A local brewery, Kulshan, released this Imperial Hazy IPA less than a month ago, a member of the "Cascade Peak Series." Striking hazy IPA release in spite of all the winter brews popping up. 40ibu at 9%abv, poured from a brown pint bottle into glass.

T: A very deep gold clouded immensely in haze, nearly amber. SRM 8. A shallow off-white head, about 1/2 inch with microbubbles floating from bottom.

S: Tropical papaya and mango upfront, transitions to clean lemony laundry. Juiciness intensifies over time with orange peel heavy at the end. Like a well blended smoothie, the scents all merge together.

T: Tropical melon and stonefruit juice- again mango and papaya. Surprisingly pleasant maltiness balances the acidity of the fruits. Perhaps kiwi on the finish. Superb and refreshing.

F: Creamy and light like blended fruit. As hazy and imperial, it is very chewable yet goes down smooth.

Fortress IIPA is an incredible new brew out of Kulshan. The pour struck me as it came out almost amber, but still an orange juicey hue, The nose and palate were well blending and I loved the kick of kiwi that add a quenching finish to a heavier beer. Typically, I am hard to impress with mouthfeel. Fortress felt like a wonderfully refreshing and smooth fruit smoothie, a beverage that is invigorating rather than debilitating. I would absolutely drink this again, I suspect it is even greater on tap.