Summer In Pain
Middle Brow Beer Co.

 

 

This was actually pretty good. Poured a pale gold in the glass from a tap at Whole Foods. Very small head that dropped into the glass, but left some nice lacing. Smelled like green melon, tasted like melon rind with some clove and white pepper spiciness, probably from the Belgian yeast. Very light on the tongue with good effervescence. Overall, a very drinkable beer, I liked it.

 

 

 

22 oz. bottle, with no apparent bottled on date or batch information present. Another new one to me from Middle Brow Beer Co., this one a Belgian-style India Pale Ale. "Brewed for Middle Brow by Ten Ninety Brewing Co., Zion, IL". Some interesting hop varieties used here, so we'll see how this goes.

Poured into a clear balloon snifter.

A - It pours very dark, almost a rubyish dark orange with lots of hop & yeast particulate in the glass. About a finger of thick frothy khaki foam head. Appears adequately carbonated, but it also appears thick and heavy.

S - Very subtle nuances from the hop varieties used here. Earthy, grassy, lightly citrusy, melon-like fruitiness, some floral alcohol. Candi sugar. Belgian yeast. Clove. Meh.

T - The taste is the same. Interesting hop varieties used here, but the Belgian yeast is over-powering. Spicy, earthy, herbal, botanical. Cloves.

M - The feel is a bit thick & full bodied for my liking, but I suppose it is to style.

Overall, an alright effort from Middle Brow, definitely nice to try, but not something I would recommend or seek out again. A nice use of interesting hops, but perhaps they were wasted on this Belgian IPA offering. Definitely looking forward to more unique releases from Middle Brow, though.

Middle Brow Beer Co. Summer In Pain -----3.5/5