Hazy&Juicy&Hoppy&Fresh. - Azacca, Idaho 7 & Loral
Hi-Wire Brewing

 

I am trying a can of this beer at my bestie's house in Charlotte, NC. It poured a hazy yellow with white head that left some nice lace. The scent had stone fruit and berry notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with melon and stone fruit presence. The mouthfeel was medium in body and had good carbonation. Overall it is a very good beer.

The abuse of ampersands is back with a vengeance as Hi-Wire Brewing weave together the hops of Azacca & Idaho 7 & Loral into an Imperial New England-styled IPA.

As this installment of Hazy&Juicy&Hoppy&Fresh layers into the glass, it does so with a firmly hazy and pastel golden-straw hue. Floating a stark white cap, the beer spills over with a fruity and floral bouquet chocked full of stone fruit, candied citrus and hints of tropical punch. Gently sweet, the creamy malts carry a smooth breadiness redolent of shortcake and cereal.

The hops continue to open up as the ale spreads across the middle palate. Orange and lemon come to mind first as a quick followup of peach, mango and apricot add a depth of fruit complexity. As milder tangy flavors of passionfruit, papaya and white grape come about, the ale eventually reaches an herbal bitterness late in taste that resemble lemongrass, lemon pepper, verbena, sassafras and mint.

Medium full and trending malty-dry, the stronger IPA exhibits a gin-like spiciness with a lingering sangria fruitiness, both creative and refreshing ways to represent the hazy style. Finishing moderately bitter, Hi-Wire is showing improvement with each and every ampersand.