Expat IPA
Reuben's Brews

On tap at the brewery, poured into a tulip.
(from notes taken at the brewery. Yes, I was that guy.)
Lovely clear light amber/golden colour. Nice little white head. Laces the sides nicely as I drink.

The aroma is subtle, but nuanced. Soft hop characteristics, mostly citrus. Some lemon, some passionfruit (they weren't lying on the board!), some of what seemed like juicy orange, though it could have been the passionfruit meeting the lemon citrus halfway. At the very end I get an almost cucumber? Wasn't expecting that.

Flavour sees what the nose is doing and wants in, but has to make a little more of a show of it. The citrus is still in the forefront, and it still feels very... soft, but not muted. Nuanced feels more the term. I get more lime in the flavour, some of that orange again. Maybe a bit of passion fruit. Soft and subtle, but still bitter. Really clean, really crisp, not smoothe, but very drinkable.
In this age of everything has to be bigger, this may not jump out at you, but if you take the time to sit down with it and really explore what it offers, I think you'll be really really pleased. I was anyway.
Sage, sit!

 

 

 

Pale orange, with a bit of cloudiness to it. Foamy head which dissipated quickly & left streak lacing. Aroma is ripe fruit, melon and bread malt. The flavor is grapefruit, lemon and tangerine with melon and herbs. A bit of dankness. Still quite drinkable & actually refreshing. A well crafted beer.

The hourglass-shaped stout glass let the foam build up and last long. Creamy carbonation in the mouth. Color is a yellowish amber. Richly aromatic with citrus and something tropical. I think kemoarps' review is right on: "passionfruit meeting the lemon citrus halfway." Something doughy, sweet bread.

Rich with malt but rather acidic. Quite bitter and leafy aftertaste. This is not one of my favorites from Reuben's. Sensational aroma, though. From the 22 oz bottle purchased at Special Brews in Lynnwood.

poured from the bottle with a thick frothy head which quickly dissipated, the translucent pale greenish yellow was a bit still and lifeless afterward; no cloudiness as with a hef; but the carbonation quickly vanished...

Thin, smooth feel,
but definitely creamier than many IPAs and pilsners

Slightly biscuity flavor, there is a grapefruit edge but not heavy, and a slight smell and taste of melon, slightly musky. Almost like a Belgian triple but a bit creamier with no funk. On the dry side. Very lightly hopped, perhaps flowery.

It was drier, with a punch. Heartier than Belgian triple; Nice change from pungent beers like Hop Czar and Lagunitas, and simple IPAs. Would go nicely with food with a flavor that wouldn't overpower or conflict with other flavors- probably better with steaks and seafood than wine.

 

 

 

 

 

Poured into a Reuben's Brew pint glass. Pours a medium coppery amber with a half finger white head with good retention and light lacing. Aroma of light caramel and pale malt, citrus hops with light dankness, guava and orange citrus. Flavor is caramel malt, citrus hops, mango, passionfruit, orange and light lemon citrus, lightly dank. Resinous hop flavor increases into a hoppy finish with residual fruit and dank herbal flavors and a hint of mint. Medium bodied with light creaminess. I've been wanting to try this IPA for a while and fortunately it is well distributed this year. The hops exhibit a classic New Zealand with lots of fruit and dank flavors. A strong, resin influenced (but not piney) finish is supported by the caramel malt. Great herbal character to the hops, approaching a fresh hopped intensity. Nicely done.