Kiki Magic
Crux Fermentation Project

always stoked to see new beers from crux, i feel like they used to come around all the time but now innovation has been slow, at least to reach idaho, so this was a treat, nice buy by my mother in law! another hazy, but a rather distinctive hop profile here and a pretty well refined beer compared to many of its peers, cleaner to drink, no hop burn, lighter for what it is, smooth in texture too, nice grain build and attention to detail here, as is often the case for crux. straw colored and not too thick, full inch or more of creamy white foam, and a unique nose of stone fruit, kiwi, green grape, mango, and sweet orange, fresh as can be and juicy and tempting! the hops come through just as they smell, quite a bit of citrus, some southern hemisphere fruitiness and even white wine character, pulpy mango, and just a little late bitterness to keep it in the ipa range, boldly hoppy for sure but not at all overdosed, no harshness whatsoever, not vegetal, just right, a hard target to hit. the body is medium and the swallow is clean, the ferment is minimal and the beer is dry, some cereals in the grain profile, wheaty, organic, earthy, a little starchy, simple, slightly raw even which i like with these hops. high carbonation too which i love in a hazy, its even on the edge of effervescent. some oily hop linger on my tongue is yummy too, and this is a real drinkable pint can, a hazy i actually want to have more than one of, increasingly uncommon. overall this is excellent, even memorable, among the better hazy types ive come across this year.

16oz can pours with a thick golden haze; very tropical on the nose and palate, lots of impressions of pineapple as well as some stone fruit, apricot and peach. Mildly earthy, lower bitterness, creamy mouthfeel, about medium in body. Good stuff, enjoyable.

Poured from a 16 ounce can into an IPA glass.

Look- Pale gold, frothy white head, very hazy, tiny visible particulate, above average head retention and lacing.

Smell- Pineapple, tangerine, grassy.

Taste- Pineapple, tangerine, pear.

Feel- Between thin and medium body, low bitterness, average carbonation, low astringency, slightly saliva inducing, moderately creamy.

Overall- A pineapple forward somewhat unbalanced NEIPA with great look and nice feel.

I really enjoyed it and maybe I would buy it again

Had on tap at Bulldog Saloon Lynnwood, WA