Altair IPA- Fresh Hop
Ecliptic Brewing

 

16 oz. Can
Canned: 09/07/23

Poured into a Trillium glass a very nice hazy yellow/orange color, very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy two-finger off-white head, which also leaves some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is hoppy, malty, with a pretty nice citrus complex (orange, tangerine, grapefruit, pineapple, mango), pretty nice piney like. The taste is pretty nice hoppy, malty, with a pretty nice citrus complex (orange, tangerine, grapefruit, pineapple, mango), pretty nice piney like. Medium body, ABV hidden very nicely, with a nice little dry/bitter finish. Overall, this is a pretty tasty beer.

this used to be a pale ale, now its an ipa, with different wet hops each year, this time strata and centennial, and its wonderful, a treat to find on tap, an absolute gem from ecliptic here. i never had any of the pale ale versions, but its hard to imagine this not being among the best takes on this ever. unfiltered looking but not a hazy, high white headed from the tap with tiny bubbles almost looks nitro level thick and creamy. a light copper hue to this but pretty pale overall, just well balanced. i love how bold the hops are, both varietals immediately identifiable, concentrated and oily and intense and almost candied to me or something, definitely fresh but also sort of a cryo vibe due to how pungent it is. fresh milled white pine from the centennial, smashed coconut to me from the strata, a little bit of ripe mango too. there is a honey floral element, a decadence and richness from the oils, and late notes of gin, meyer lemon, and even dandelion, pretty darn layered but also shockingly drinkable, as they keep the bitterness pretty moderate here, and the fermentation is real clean. this lingers in a lovely way, the essence of fresh hop season and a wonderfully compatible mix of varietals, the older school and the new together, just enough grain. overall this is elite, one of the best of the season this year for me so far! ecliptic can do no wrong!

2023 can.

A clear deep orange/light amber with a dense off-white head with good retention and lacing. The nose is a blend of fresh citrus, marmalade, tangerine and tropical Strata coupled with a hefty crystal malt character, caramel-like and dulling the hops. The palate opens with marmalade and mandarin, orange juice and zest before a moderate sweetness and malt character come thru. Both bready and caramel-like (Caramunich?) malt character are present. Mildly sweet with lingering fresh Centennial marmalade on the finish. Solid.