Brunch So Hard
MadTree Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

Im not an IPA guy normally so it usually takes some sort of flavoring beyond the hop itself to get me into it. That said, I found Brunch So Hard to be a pretty enjoyable beer but even a novice IPA guy such as myself can tell that the brut and the flowers really scale back the normal bitterness of the IPA. Personally, I dig the lower bitterness and smoother finish but I can see why IPA fans would be so-so on this.

Seems like a good beer to choke back while floating on a raft in a pool during the summer.

 

Back off sangria, brunch just got a new kid on the block- on of beery form, dry in its texture, racy in its bubbles and bright in its floral whimsy. MadTree Brewing is pushing the champagne of of the brunch table with a brut IPA that's gently layered with rose hips and hibiscus for common man's drink to a not-so-common meal.

Expressive in its carbonation and stained rosy pink in a hazy hue, Brunch So Hard builds a soft white froth and an aromatic bouquet of flower pedals, citrus, tartness and a piquant grassy scent. Mild in sweetness, its wafer thin maltiness is crisp with hints of agave and dry cereal.

But the taste quickly favors the hops as the low lying sweetness dissolves rapidly off the middle palate and the hop flavors begin to overtake the floral perfume. A rise of pink grapefruit, orange peel, pineapple rind, gooseberry and papaya offer a fruity bitterness with a nearly tart cranberry and rhubarb subtlety. Trending spicy and bitter, a taste of rose wine links up with a botanical spice of juniper, spruce and gin on the late palate.

Quick in finish, the bulk of flavors fall off fast as the medium light bodied beer extends only with the spices of both peppery hops and gin-like alcohol. The herbal additions to the brut IPA certainly offers a host of complexity, charm and whimsy but it does however take away from its premiere dryness and bitterness.