TropiCulture (Jaboticaba)
D9 Brewing Company

 

D9 Brewing Co. "TropiCulture Jaboticaba Juicy IPA"
16 fl. oz. can, seemingly without production codes or freshness dating
$4.79 @ Total Wine & More, Cherry Hill, NJ

Notes via stream of consciousness: I'm completely lost on this one as I have no idea what jaboticaba is. I'm guessing it might be a fruit based on the label artwork but I don't know. Let me look it up... it's a Brazilian grape tree and the fruit actually rows right on the trunk. Cool. It's a very hazy deep amber-almost ruby in color beneath a short head of slightly tan and pinkish foam. Held to the light I can see some crimson and orange areas. It smells like black grapes, which I guess is no longer surprising at this point. It's a pretty strong aroma and I'm eager to get into it. The taste follows and it's almost like you just added Concord grape juice to a beer. It's sweet but not too sweet, and just slightly acidic, There's some bitterness to it and it does dry in the finish while the grape fades. So what else is there? Let me go back to the aroma first. All I'm getting is the grape. I can't even truly say that I'm finding the malt although it has to be there in the mix. Nope, I'm just getting grape juice. Back to the taste... I'd say I feel the same as I do about the aroma; there's something going on there but I can't really point it out. So it's a one -trick pony, that's OK. I was expecting an IPA though, and this is really more of a full-on fruit beer. The Jaboticaba isn't just a component, it's the whole damned thing. In the mouth it's medium-full in body, and crisp-then-smooth. I'd certainly enjoy this one again, probably as an after dinner "dessert", or on a warm summer day.
Review #7,206

Purchased as part of a mix-a-six at my local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
16 oz. Can with no best by or canned on date visible. Poured into a Tired Hands Teku.
Appearance: Body has a reddish-purple hue, slight look of dark tanned leather. Almost has a red wine look. Head dissipates quickly but at first look has a slight purple tinge. No lacing left behind.

Aroma: Reminds me of the homemade grape juice we would make when I was younger. Grapes, red wine, raspberries and a little citrus as well.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Grape juice, tropical fruits and mutes red wine. Starts out sweet and juicy but as you get further into it and it warms up a definite hop bitterness shows up. Sweet start, slight bitter finish, brings this one to the crushable level.

Overall: Jaboticaba Juicy IPA is a tasty IPA that isn't something you would expect in an IPA. I don't ever recall seeing or even hearing of the Jaboticaba berry, but it was an interesting addition to this beer. I don't see myself buying this one again, that doesn't mean it was a bad beer or even approaching drain pour; it just isn't something I would seek out flavor-wise.