Tiki Hop Totem
Blue Owl Brewing

 

I am going to try to be objective here... Poured into a snifter (1st mistake) at 50F. Soda-pop bubbles on top of a gold-ish hazy body. Leaves no lacing in no time. Smells like a beer-salt factory. Had to give it 3 based on the fact that I like beer-salt, but also a 3 based on the concept that a drink should resemble something other than beer-salt. Taste follows smell. Feel follows taste and smell, with the interesting addition of strong carbonation. Salty/acidic/somewhat savory carbonated something-or-other. Mmm. Interesting. 3.

 

 

pours an amber gold body with a thin foamy chalk head that has low retention and leaves a small amount of thin sticky lacing as it settles to a foamy bubble halo

aroma is thick citrus (pineapple mostly) and lactose sweetness with a dash of vanilla

taste is the trademark Blue Owl tart funk followed by actual flavor layers of tropical citrus (dripping pineapple) and lactose/vanilla/cream. then, right back to the tart funk

feel is moderately high carbonation and medium bodied. it's a smooth ride throughout. finishes lemon bitter tart and slightly earthy.

overall:
while this carries the IPA name, it hardly has any hop presence. accepting that and moving on, the brew is quite good, especially if you fully understand that it's a Blue Owl jam and all that comes with - if you're new to the brewery, this is kinda their thing, it's all sour/tart or go home. they do, however, totally nail that whole pina colada thing, going pineapple forward, and in their favor given their tart theme. it's definitely tropical, questionably hop-related, and totally easy.

 

Remarkable combination of flavors. Definitely reminiscent of a pina colada.

Nice initial hop scent. Very smooth. Heavier than expected based on the coloring. Pineapple sourness at the end. A fun beer when sitting outside on a hot day.