Hello My Alien
Breakside Brewery - SE Taproom

Review: 2085
Name: Hello, My Alien
Brewery: Breakside Brewing
Location: Portland, OR
Style: West Coast IPA
ABV: 6.5%
Date: Unknown, probably May 2024
As I embarked on my journey with Hello, My Alien, I poured it into a tulip glass with utmost care. The outcome was a unique sight: creamy, frothy, one-fingered, bright white head with above-average retention. Like a fleeting dream, this head slowly dissipated, leaving behind delicate lacing on the glass. The beer's light straw color, adorned with a hint of light amber hues, scored a solid four on the color charts. It was a transparent canvas, enlivened by carbonation bubbles that added a playful touch. The appearance of this West Coast IPA was not just above-average; it was a captivating start to the tasting experience.
Upon nosing the glass, a burst of ripe ruby-red grapefruit greets me with its delightful aroma. A few more sniffs reveal a light floral note, bright and juicy oranges, tangy lemons, a hint of grass, and a touch of herbal. The malt aromas, robust and inviting, bring to mind lightly toasted bread, crackers, and a hint of biscuits. The beer also carries a subtle earthiness and a light fruity sweetness. The ripe and aromatic hops add another layer of complexity to the aroma.
The first sip of Hello, My Alien is a burst of grapefruit with juicy orange notes that border on the flavor of a pomelo. The other hop flavors, a hint of floral, tangy lemons, a touch of grass, and subtle herbal-like bay leaves, dance on the palate. The malts, reminiscent of toasted bread, crackers, and biscuits, bring a malty sweetness to the beer. Interestingly, the fruity sweetness in the aroma is not as pronounced in the taste.
The mouthfeel is astringent and slightly tannic, finishing dry. The body is medium-low and has medium carbonation.
Hello, My Alien is a lovely beer. I would not classify it as a WCIPA, but it is a solid IPA nonetheless. I love how the grapefruit aroma leaps out of the glass and onto your palate—big flavors for a small ABV. I would love to try this beer as a DIPA. How intense would the grapefruit be? The only issue I had, I thought it was a bit thin. It's a fantastic beer overall!