Sixth Orbit - Hazy Plum IPA
Ecliptic Brewing

 

 

500mL bottle of "Hazy plum IPA". Even through the brown glass I can see big chunks of sediment swirling around the bottom. In my glass, though, it's relatively clear on the first pour, and a nice copper-orange amber color. Thin white head. Aroma carries the fruity, fresh plum flavor prominently. Not tart or off-putting, but unexpected here in an IIPA.

Flavor is more conventional IPA up-front, with piney and resinous flavors only slightly more dominant than tropical, juicy ones. The plum carries through almost in the aftertaste. The finish is even a little sweet. I'm really reminded of plum yogurt for some reason.

I swirl the bottle around a good bit before a second pour to top up my glass. This time I've dumped huge chunks of fruit into my glass. At least I really hope it's fruit, because otherwise -- that would be revolting. The result is definitely more fruit-forward, and the juicy sweetness now unquestionably dominates over the NW IPA I know is underneath. If the bottle had poured homogeneously the first time, I never would have known.

Enjoyable and not too gimmicky but I probably wouldn't seek it out again either. The reserve fruit in the bottle knocks it down a quarter point.

This is actually pretty clear, a dark orangey amber with plenty of foam in the Stella Artois goblet. Deep fruity fragrance. Mildly acidic with a substantial body and plenty of spritz. The taste suddenly hits me-- the dark purple canned plums I used to like years ago.

Rather sweet, but in a nice way with all the plum flavor. I would believe it had Belgian yeast, but perhaps the skins give it a drier finish and that touch of astringency in the aftertaste. It's a really interesting fruit-flavored beer and well worth the modest price. Quite a lot of sediment in the bottom of the 500 ml bottle. From the Haggen supermarket in Washington. Another of the Sixth Anniversary series.