Nelson IPA
Blue Stallion Brewing Co.

 

Embracing the hops leads the brewers at Lexington's Blue Stallion to venture into the single hop varieties, landing at the roots of Nelson Sauvin hops. Their winey and fruit twang glides over a fruity and caramelly ale of its own for a unique punch of flavors.

Nelson IPA pours a peachy, orange amber with nearly bright clarity. Aromas of stone fruit, tropical fruit and orchard varieties join with nuances of white wine and grape for a curiously fragrant IPA introduction. Caramel, graham cracker and honey all offer their own slight fare for a malty sweet upstart that's not far from toasted nuttiness.

As the ale embarks on the middle of the tongue, its bright taste favors the fruit while its sweet upstart begins to fade. Apricot, peach, papaya, mango and plum all pull from the beer's estery makeup while the tangy, tawny taste of white wine and tart grapes offer a certain sangria culmination. Its smooth bitterness plays out like herbal sun teas, light lemongrass, sassafras and gently muddled herbs.

Medium bodied and modestly carbonated, the beer's lasting sweetness lays comfortably on the palate and puts the estery taste of fruit ahead of the hops for a welcoming taste of English types of IPA. A medium long bitterness of soft spruce and herbs outlast the biscuit malts and fruit esters ever so slightly.