Low Beam
West Sixth Brewing Company

 

 

 

I had a can of this from my local liquore store in late February. It is a tasty New England IPA. It is kind of dry -- and I think I was picking up grapefruit flavors. West Sixth does good work.

 

Last of the pack unfortunately. I actually prefer it from the can, but for the sake of the review I poured it into a pint glass. Color is absolutely on point for the style, though head disappated rather quickly. Likewise, it's hazy but doesn't show a lot of the larger proteins you typically see with NEIPAs. Aroma is fantastic, I could pick up the typical tropical fruits the moment I cracked the can, along with a slighty cattiness. Taste reflects the same fruit flavors, and is very juicy but something feels slightly off; not sure if its the more mellow bitterness or the body is just a bit thin. Regardless its not a deal breaker, I actually kind of enjoy that its on the lighter side; better for drinking in the heat of the summer. Great brew overall and I would gladly have again!

 

 

 

 

Thanks Alanna and Richard!

A: yellow in color, lightly hazy, and low head.

S: orange zest, pineapple, and pear.

T: bright citrus, lemon balm, and herbal. With a somewhat sweet flavor, finishing with melon.

M: light in body, plenty of carbonation, sorry feel.

O: flavor is lacking for me, to herbal for me... it tastes a bit like mosquito spray, but like the good beer version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's taken a number of batches, but the batch released in cans June 16, and on tap just prior, is in fact a NEIPA. Color is bright and hazy, aromatics are floral, and the feel is soft without being overly smooth.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed at the tap room in a tulip glass. So hazy it was almost milky. Nose is typical of a New England style. Taste was good, but not as juicy as I’d hope.

All aboard the haze craze! In time of all-things-juicy, fruity and opaque, the IPA as we know it has been challenged. Lighter bitterness, smoother finish, a radiant bouquet, a turbid appearance all lead to a taste that has hop heads near and far clamoring for yet another taste of the hoppy elixir.

Pale gold and much less hazy than expected, West Sixth's Low Beam is a bit more medium beamed with only a modest translucence. Its loose froth grabs the olfactory senses with a bright herbal, tropical and citrusy fragrance, one that radiates with a fresh grassiness. Soft sweetness is freshly bready with hints of honey, simple syrup and wafer.

Its light and bready sweetness fades and allows for the hops to take the flavor by storm. A strong citrus taste of white grapefruit, lemon and lime bring about a citronella, orange-like tanginess before tropical fruits of pineapple, kiwi, passionfruit and guava lay a sweet and margarita-like taste on the middle palate. Bright and herbal, the finish is of lemon verbena, tea and freshly shaven sassafras and juniper.

Light in body, the beer's early dryness has an evaporative cooling and vanilla-like softness on the finish. Herbal, smooth and bitter, the beer's lesser bitterness lends a pale ale character to the aromatic and flavorful hop ale. But its creamy upstart is tepid and its potential comparisons to creamsicle or sherbet are shy. Low Beam is a quite tasty IPA but not exactly New England-like.