Under the Southern Sky
Alvarado Street Brewery

Can poured into an Alvarado Street Brewery glass

A: Pours hazy golden orange amber with a frothy off white head that slowly settles to a firm layer and laces beautifully.

S: Intense juicy tropical fruit, ripe citrus, floral notes, a touch of pine, biscuity malt, and caramel sweetness.

T: Big tropical fruit and citrus, guava, pineapple, orange, papaya, mango, passion fruit, lemon lime, peach, apricot, and subtle green grape, a touch of spicy pine, biscuity malt, and caramel sweetness.

M: A bit on the fuller side of medium body, moderate carbonation, soft on the palate.

O: I'm a big fan of southern hemisphere hops because they can be so similar, yet so different from American hops so I had to try this one. Really glad I did. Alvarado did a stellar job showing them off. Delicious change of pace from all the Citra bombs.

Type: 16-oz. can
Glass: Pure Project 14-oz. Teku glass
From: My friend Bill
Price: N/A
Purchased: N/A; Received July 22, 2019
Consumed: July 27, 2019
Reviewed as: American IPA
Misc.: No canned on date

Thanks, Bill!

Got this muled to me by Chad from Bill in Las Vegas. Alvarado is one of the best breweries around, which surprises me that I’d only reviewed one of their beers heading into this. Notes on this on Beer Advocate were, “An all New Zealand hopped juicy IPA, inspired by our trip there this past April for hop selection. Plump tropical & diesel-laced aromatics from Nelson Sauvin, Motueka & Waimea varieties meets a fluffy mouthfeel and texture.”

Poured a golden hazy color with 4-to-5 fingers of rocky white head. Lots of fast moving bubbles creeping up along the sides of the glass. Excellent uneven foamy lacing. World-class retention. (Sight - 4.50)

Smelled Nelson and Motueka up front (not that familiar with Waimea). Also white grape, dish soap, pine, lime, lemon, dank, grapefruit, pineapple, grass and bubblegum. Better out of the can with Nelson and Motueka really shining through. (Smell - 4.00)

Tasted about as good as the nose. Got Nelson, Motueka, dish soap, dank pine, lime, lemon, white grape, grass, herbal, grapefruit, pineapple and bubblegum. (Taste - 4.00)

Medium body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, juicy finish. (Feel - 4.50)

Really liked this overall. May have underrated it. (Overall - 4.25)

4.13 | 92 | A-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had it on tap while I visited the Monterey facility and loved it. Stoked to try it from the can and see how it is.
L: Brilliant bright yellow in appearance with a hint of orange. Completely opaque and looking like a classic ASB juice bomb. A standard pour yielded about a finger of a stark white cap that dissipated rather quickly. Pretty much nothing in terms of lacing which is a bummer, but the color and hazy-ness is terrific.
S: I'm getting a lot of bubble gum, earthy plant aromas, lemongrass and a decent amount of dankness coming off. It smells great, and it screams southern hemisphere hops.
T: Fantastic. Juice at first with a dank finish. Lemon, mango, bubble gum, pink starburst, orange and pineapple at the beginning, with a grassy/herbal/earthy dank finish with hints of black pepper, lemon and yeast. The signature ASB yeast profile provides the basis that the other flavors build upon, rounding out an experience that compiles a juicy initial flavor with a classic NZ/AS hop character finish.
F: Nothing to say other than perfect for what I look for in NEIPAs, and something ASB absolutely nails. Medium in body and light to medium in weight, but it has a soft feel with just the right touch of carbonation to elevate the beverage. Smooth and enjoyable with no abv presence, as expected.
O: I had high expectations coming into this and I am not disappointed. ASB has mastered the craft that is NEIPAs, and they are exceptionally skilled at harnessing the flavor that is distinct to the southern hemisphere hops without losing their signature flavors. It is the perfect balance of both worlds, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I am very grateful to have tried, and I would totally drink again. Cheers!

 

Sweet tropical dank nose for the aromatics...there but not bold and prominent. This single IPA has great depth and a beautifully soft mouthfeel. Taste follows the aromatics and finishes with a dank hoppy bitterness on the swallow that is well-balanced and not overpowering. Good stuff!

10/13/22 Batch! Sweet tropical hoppy, white wine grape, and lemony-grapefruit citrus-dank nose on this one! Taste follows with tasty, New Zealand hoppy and orange-grapefruit citrus bitter finish. This feels so nice on the palate...it adds to enjoying the hop profile here. Just so nice and soft on the palate. Delicious batch!

Yet another terrific ASB brew featuring Nelson along with a couple of other southern hemisphere hops in Motueka & Waimea. Danky herbal/weedy with white wine grapes, citrus, and some tropical fruits. Smooth, pillowy feel.