The Bruiser
7 Hermits Brewing Company

Slightly disappointing IPA from a local brewer in a cool mountain town that I was ready to love. Dominated by an odd licorice/perfume bouquet and bitterness without any pleasant hoppy aroma. On the brewery menu in early June, 2022, this is listed as 5.8% ABV (IBU not listed).

i was told they make this one because if they drank paul all the time they would be waste cases. i can abide that, but this one didnt tickle me in quite the same spot. i mean, its a fine ipa, even quite good from the right vantage point, but for me it was a little samey and not anywhere near as compelling as the double they do. looks similar though, a shade lighter but equally clear and heady, and a nose of similar hop strains. the difference here is that the flavor isnt there, and the texture of the hops, which really made the paul awesome, isnt there in this one to near the same degree. now, its still leagues better than a whole host of india pales from around colorado, and i would chose it from a large crowd still, but i think the paul was unique enough and tasty enough hat whatever these guys came up with for a regular ipa was going to be short of the mark, sometimes your staple beer does you in, and thats the case here. good ipa, but a fraction of what their double is in every facet.