Zeta Puffer
Rhinegeist Brewery

A - Pale gold pour, slightly hazy but mostly transparent. Short white head, very thin line lacing.

S - Pungent pine and mild lemon notes, with a touch of pepper and earthy limestone beneath.

T - Flavor follows nose, with citrus and mild resin, a solid malt core, and a tart, very lightly bitter finish.

M - Brisk carbonation, pretty light body, prickly acidic finish. A scrubber on the back that lingers.

O - A decent IPA, tasty and drinkable. There is not a lot of depth here, but it is enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It seems that the forecast around the Rhinegeist Brewery is always hazy nowadays. The next wave comes with a hop variety that's partly bitter but mostly aromatic, fueled with potpourri, fruit and a pep of West Coast-iness.

Hazy, but off of the turbid and murky nature that popular and notorious about most hazy IPA, Zeta Puffer prefers a light goldenrod appearance and a light and fluffy froth. Its bold aromatics share the fruit ensemble of tropical, citrus and orchard varieties, and foreshaddows a taste of granola, honey and crisp pastries.

As the hops unfold on the tongue, its sweetness begins to relax and the floral hops turn flavorful with a slightly under ripened green-ness of orange, mango, apricot, pineapple, white grapefruit and peach. Trending crisp and bitter on the late palate, the hops trend spicy with freshly shaven and fragrant woods, green tea, sassafras and juniper.

Medium bodied for an imperial ale, the beer's hop spice, formidable alcohol and lightening sweetness converge for a semidry, crisp, and sprucy finish with a long aftertaste of tea and turf.