Godzone Beat NZIPA
Fork & Brewer

My wife and I took a trip to New Zealand recently and as is per the norm with our trips, the vacation turned into a wine and beer tour of the county (along with some triathlon racing and sightseeing too). I really did fall in love with the IPAs and Pilsner that were on offer in New Zealand so I was excited to try yet another rendition with this beer.

This beer pours a hazy, golden hue that features moderate carbonation and a thin, creamy white head that dissipates ultra slowly to a rocky layer that is retained. 3.75/5 The aroma is big on tropical fruits with papaya, mango, and pineapple all coming through quite strongly. As the beer warms, a bit of peach and pear both come through as well. There is very little malt to the aroma with the focus being entirely on the hops. 4/5 The flavor profile is fruity all the way through. Peach and pear kick things off before transitioning into the tropical notes of papaya, mango, and pineapple (completely opposite of the aroma). A bit of cantaloupe and honeydew come through as the beer warms too. Bitterness is light to medium and lingers for quite some time after swallowing. Lemon zest and pine both come through as the beer warms further, showcasing a very nice complexity. Unfortunately there is a peat moss/earthy aftertaste that is very offputting. If it wasn't for the aftertaste this would score quite well... 3.25/5 This is a medium bodied beer that has a moderate carbonation burn up front before transitioning into a slight wetness that minimizes any potential dryness. 3.75/5 I really like this beer with the exception of the aftertaste. If the aftertaste could be changed I see the taste score going up to a 4, but that aftertaste drags it down big time. Other than that, very well executed IPA that is flavorful, complex, and doesn't blast you after drinking just one. 3.5/5