Bitter Ghentleman
West Sixth Brewing Company

 

 

For the lover of both the fruit, spice balance that is Belgium and the bitter refreshment of American IPA, look no further than the West Sixth Bitter Ghentleman.

With the beer's striking hazy straw pour, a moussey column of foam mounts. Spicy aromas fill the nose with peppercorn, clove, curry, lemongrass and mint. As is bready sweetness grazes the tastebuds, its powerful carbonation lifts the malt and dives head-first onto the middle palate.

Light bread and powdered sugar dissolve early and allow the more Belgian-esque blend to dance on the palate. Lemon, melon, orange, pear and light banana intertwine with the white pepper, vanilla, mint and the fresh hoppy taste of white grapefruit peel and fresh-cut grass for a complex series of taste that all seem to alternate with every drink.

As its taste trends spicy and dry with vinous white wine attributes, the body lightens and ushers in a bitter finish that's decorated with pepper, citrus, grass and playful acidity. It's perfect with crab cakes.