Mechanical Mystic
Crank Arm Brewing

Tasted from a 16 oz can bought in Raleigh, NC, poured into a snifter.

L - Golden-orange color is opaque with cloudiness, but glows even more orange when held up to a light. Some bits of what appears to be hops or yeast trub are visible near the bottom of the glass. Off white head that dropped quickly to a thin layer of bubbles and some sticky lacing.

S - Strong hops aromas of tropical fruit, mostly pineapple and some mango, but also a strong herbal note that I don't normally detect in hazy IPAs. The beer is apparently made with Phantasm, which (I found after Googling) is an extract that adds "thiol precursors" meant to bring out tropical fruit aromatics. I have to say the tropical fruit does not "pop" like it does in some hazy IPAs I've had. Maybe to my senses the Phantasm brought out the herbal note that's distracting me from the fruit.

T - Strong hops flavors, as expected. There is a lot of tropical fruit presence, as well as orange-like citrus. There is also a herbal note that comes in toward the end of the palate that is almost tea-like. Very faint malt sweetness in the background reminiscent of white bread.

F - Thick, mouth-filling body with moderate to low carbonation. High hops bitterness that is offset by malt sweetness. Some alcohol presence, but not extreme, given the ABV.

O - This is a good hazy IPA, but not my favorite. I find the mouthfeel too thick, heavy and cloying, and I don't care for the heavy herbal note that detracts from pure fruit flavors and aromas for me. Those are personal preferences and I am not implying any flaws in this beer.