Opulent Opulence
Other Half Brewing - Center Street

I never attend anything during New York City beer week since I'm usually working - which seems like a foreign concept now given what's going on in New York. At least I was able to get this before the crap hit the fan there as I was a big fan of both breweries that collaborated here. The end result was a lively beer that was rich without being ostentatious or excessively complex on the palate.

The appearance to this beer was what I expected as it was moderately hazy, a milky goldenrod, and topped off with plenty of fluffy head. That took long enough to settle as the lacing left behind was layered with wavy, uneven rings that bled down to a thick and soapy section in the middle of my pint glass. Lots of pineapple, cream, bright lime, and grass in the nose as the taste was enjoyable juicy, creamy, subtly drank, and had enough subtle kiwi, lime, and turbid apricot in it to draw me in further. Nothing hit me over the head here but everything present meshed well with the other flavors as this was an enjoyable beer that got better as it warmed up. Plenty of body from the oats as the carbonation was a bit more than light and just enough to keep this from feeling too weighed down.

Canned on 2/27 with "CROPULENT SLOPULENCE" written underneath it, this had enough booze although it was perfectly on par with everything else going on here. Flavorful and filling, there were hints of bready spice and tropical fruit pith in the aftertaste that left me wanting more. While not the best that either brewery has put out, this was an enjoyable that left me wanting more once I finished it off. More of a hidden gem than an embarrassment of riches, anyone looking for a softer American Imperial IPA would be as wise as King Midas to start off with this enjoyable collaboration!

 

Canned 02/27/20, ‘CROMULENT SLOPULENCE’.

True golden hue on the pour, completely opaque with soft head that sits comfortably above the body of the beer. Heavy lacing as it falls.

The nose on this is fairly mild but has a good complexity to it. Grassy hops, scallions, pineapple juice and grapefruit all emerge in succession. As it opens up, you begin to get some notes of papaya and eucalyptus as well.

I really enjoy the uniqueness of this beer. On the palate I’m getting a prevalence of mango & papaya balancing out an herbaceous hop profile that finishes lightly boozy and even with a bit of hoppy spice to it. Subtler notes of tangerine, peach, and rosemary come out as it warms. I’m loving this hop combination.

The mouthfeel is your typical OH excellence. Soft and smooth, with a low carbonation and a pleasant boozy warmth in the finish. Minimal mouth-coating and a touch of hop spice & bitterness.