Patrons Project 31.03 The Enlightenment
Northern Monk Brew Co.

 

Pours a hazy orange coloration with a medium, fluffy head. Smells of light biscuity malt and tropical/citrus/berry hops, with notes of passion fruit, grapefruit and white grape, as well as a certain dankness also coming through. Taste is an excellent balance of light biscuity malt and fruity, juicy, dank and slightly resinous hops, with tropical and lighter citrus and berry notes of passion fruit, papaya, grapefruit, orange, white grape and blueberry, as well as a distinct dankness and hints of resinous pine. Finishes with a medium bitterness and some passion fruit, grapefruit and hints if weed and pine lingering in the aftertaste. Soft, pillowy mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

This makes for an excellent Triple New England IPA that combines all the style's strengths with none of the weaknesses, making for an incredibly enjoyable brew. First off, the balance ticks all my boxes here, being quite juicy, but with a very good bitterness and some dank and resinous notes as well, while the hops are just so vibrant and well-defined here, bursting with sweet tropical, zesty citrus and lightly acidic berry notes. At the same time there is not a hint of overdone sweetness or booziness to this, while featuring a great, soft and pillowy mouthfeel. A truly outstanding TIPA that makes me sad that I can hardly get my hands on Northern Monk anymore.