Nickel
18th Street Brewery - Gary Taproom

 

 

 

A little confused and muddled beer. Is this a NE style or imperial IPA? Odd, not quite what I expected from their usual high standards. No date printed on can, as per their usual, but I recently obtained this one fresh right from the brewery. Pours a darker hazy murky yellow color with some fluffy white head and some spotty lingering lacing that persisted. Aromas of muddled melon, peach, orange, mango, papaya, pineapple. Also some malt, vanilla, bread, faint floral hops. Taste follows the nose, decently flavorful and the slightly higher ABV was well hidden. But the balance was a little off - too much sweeter malt backbone, perhaps. Smooth mild slightly soft mouthfeel, excellent carbonation. Not bad, overall, I just feel they have so many other excellent IPAs. Such a shame since I loved their "Dime" beer.

 

 

Tasted in a Spiegelau IPA glass from a 1 pint can on November 26, 2017. Look is opaque hazy amber. Smell and taste is juicy ripe citrus. Feel is creamy and smooth.

 

 

 

 

On tap at Stacks in Valpo served in a nonic pint.

Look- A cloudy dark gold that borders light brown. A few centimeters of soapy white foam is present.

Smell- Fresh rubber, spice/floral, passionfruit and some pineapple.

Tatste- Fresh flowers, peppery spice, passionfruit, grapefruit and rubber.

Feel- Very light and slightly chalky.

Overall- Not their best interpretation of the NE style, but a solid very drinkable beer nonetheless.

Canned 10/11/17; drank 10/25/17 @ the Yarchives. Opaque dull orange rust appearance. A rough pour yielded a nice white head; strong tree-rung lace. Grapefuit zest & caramel notes in the nose. Soft, medium mouthfeel. Grapefruit & mild caramel flavors; no booze heat. Simple, & not my favorite IPA profile, but the pleasant mouthfeel made this enjoyable. I'd have another.