Braxton Labs New England IPA #002
Braxton Brewing Company - Braxton Covington

Embracing the haze is something with which Braxton Labs are perfectly comfortable. The second iteration of their New England styled pale ale leads the tastebuds through a story of fragrant perfumes, radiant fruitiness and a smooth herbal bitterness. This beer simply fits like a glove.

With the visual consistency of mashed potatoes, the golden orange ale pours with a matte finish and with a creamy dense froth. A bold aromatic display of tropical fruit, orchard fruit and citrus play equal roles with a bouquet of grassy herbalness that plays delicately in the background. A rich and malty taste has a soft pastry-like profile with light honey, sugar cookie and angel food cake.

The sweet and bready malts stew on the middle palate as the hops fold in their unique character of mango and apricot along with a tangy peach flavor for roundness and succulence. A pep of lemon adds a sherbet-like taste and texture before a late palate of chive, geranium and freshly muddled grasses frame a smooth and lightly bittered balance.

Medium bodied and remaining creamy throughout, the richly textured beer trails into a juicy bite of marmalade and extra pulp fruit juices along with a light mimosa tanginess, a light gin spice and a green taste of tea and sassafras.

 

 

Not sure when this was canned but this looks nothing like a NE IPA. I has a very heavy malt nose and taste, again, not like a NE IPA. I enjoy the brew, plenty of hops, but it also lacks the "juiciness" I associate with most NE IPAs.

Poured from a growler into a Woodburn tulip. The pour is light orange in color and very hazy. No light gets through. It looks like pineapple-orange juice in the glass. Nice frothy head. Absolutely glorious nose: oranges, pineapple, peaches, and grapefruit.

Medium-light body with a firm, slightly delicate feel and a pleasant citrusy flavor. Some cracker-like graininess up front, then it follows the nose perfectly; lemon, orange zest, a little hibiscus. A soft, dry finish.

Amazing beer. So tasty and refreshing. I picked up this growler at Braxton Labs. They need to can this stuff!

Simply blown away! Had it on draft about 2 weeks ago. Had to ask the bartender "Are you sure this citrus & fruit is just from the hops?" She said it really was. Grapefruit, pineapple, mango, meet traditional IPA hop resiny, weedy flavor. Not too sweet, not too bitter, not too malty or biscuity, moderate carbonation, alcohol level satisfying but would be a little high for session. Overall, complex and compelling beyond the superstar hop aromatics. Actually, might best be described as juicy, for those who like a very aromatic, fresh, citrus-meets-weedy hop nose.