Grim Tidings
Nepenthe Brewing Co.

From a can dated 11/21. Amber color with foamy light brown head. Floral and piney aroma. Full bodied with good carbonation. Malty with a clear spruce note and a bitter piney hop finish. Pretty much what I expected from the label. Love the spruce tips.

 

What a long-last treat for the eyes. It's beautifully and brightly bronze-amber, sitting inside a clear glass liter mug. The pour that emptied a pint can's contents did produce a little too much foam, but you can't have everything these days. The foam reduces to a nice and sustaining light biege head, so things are looking even better. From the crack that opened the can, there's been some piney spruce in the air. There's also some other hoppiness and plenty of barley malt to enhale. Because modern IPAs use barley malt so sparingly, or not at all, one forgets how wonderful it makes the body and what a nice taste layer it adds. The first taste sensation is the richly sweet addition that barley malt, with its complexity can add to an ale. It almost becomes the star here. But, this is more than that. The balance between the four types of hops is praiseworthy. It manages a full hop experience, without ever turning too bitter. The Spruce tips are noted, but they're not overpowering at all. In fact, they may help to smooth out body, especially at the finish. There's no alcohol bite here. As with most barley based beers, the glass lacing is excellent. All in all, this is what an IPA should be; malty, with a complex sweet side and dominated by hoppy bitter bites. Compare this with "IPAs" based on wheat and/or oats and you'll appreciate the difference. Perhaps the only other complaint here would come from West Coast IPA enthusiasts that may find its bitterness falls short. Most beer lovers should love this.