Mage Hand
Modern Times Beer

 

A solid, if unspectacular, IPA. Not a haze bomb, nor West Coast clarity, and likewise the nose and palate, even if unintentionally, sort of straddle the two, a dose of pine playing alongside tropical aromatics, the palate not soft enough to go all NEIPA but not bitter enough to quite fit in alongside the West Coast stalwarts. All that said, it's a tasty beer, but I wonder if it's stuck in IPA purgatory at the moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a bit of a throwback west-coast IPA, thoughts of their origins in imperial IPA come to mind. In the vein of Ruination and Pliny, that regal lineage is now followed by Modern Times and their Mage Hand IPA. But there is one twist- newer and more seductive hops make a bold showing nowadays.

The IPA pours a hazy and pale gold appearance, approaching brightly of copper through the center. Its frothy white cap unleashes a host of citrus peel and dehydrated tropical scents with a hint of botanical blends. Its taste is mildly of caramel, granola and shortbread as the malts greet the tongue first.

But as the taste sits on the palate, its sweetness wavers and the hops take total control. Citrusy with the fresh zested taste of pink grapefruit and tangerine, initial perfumes turn radiant in taste. Deeper with tropical fruit, dried pineapple, apricot and passionfruit make an exotic showing. Trailing bitterness is resinous with pine needles, fresh grass clippings and a curious drift of geranium.

The beer's strongest points are in its mouthfeel- incredibly dry, clean and crisp without any hint of hop-derived astringency or lingering sweetness. It's truly a showcase for hops. Finishing piquant with herbal bitterness, the beer's short finish is crisp, refreshing and clean except for its long resinous bittering power.

Can dated 09/21/16.

Pours a glazey honey gold with a thick white head that remains as a cap on top and leaves curtains of lace. The smell is mostly tropical fruit with a balance mixture of floral, citrus and pine hop aromas. The taste follows with pineapple, mango and passion fruit sweetness up front and subtle citrus and pine bitterness on the finish. Somewhat light texture with medium carbonation.

 

16 oz can. Pours hazy golden, finger white head with good retention, ringy lacing. Taste is citrusy with a nice grassy n grapefruit peel bitterness, mild herbal presence. Medium to full soft feel, dry finish. Very tasty brew.

16 oz. can poured into a large wine glass. Pours a very light golden, even deep straw in color. A steady effervescence from the bottom keeps a lid on the cap for a good bit and drops lace here and there.

Aroma is hoppy and pleasant, a bit variable at times. No conflicts from caramel notes obviously, as there are none. This looks like an all base malt brew with a basket of hops thrown in for good measure. Hop notes are above average but below desirable in a sense. Without good glassware this beer will fall flat as the hop character isn't enough to reach out and grab you.

Taste is silky with a bit of citrus oil punch on the finish. The ABV is freakishly absent on the palate, and that may be this beers master stroke, and especially given its light body. Bitterness is lacking as expected for the style within a style. I sense some wheat as well given the green tinge we have. Alas I don't see myself supporting experimentation at this price. Cheers.

Picked this beer up at brewery and consumed within two weeks of release.