Saphir Clouds (Small Batch IPA Series)
Platform Beer Co.

A thanks to the reigning champion of canned beer, woodychandler, for this beer. Poured from a 12 oz. can. Despite zero agitation, this beer came oozing out, resulting in a bright golden color with a 2 inch head. Smell is mild, lemons. Taste is lemons, light tropical fruits, some tartness, no bitterness. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a decent beer.

My beloved Stillers are visiting the hated Kleveland Klowns & I wanted to drink something appropriate to mark the ocCANsion. We recently began getting distro of Platform Beer Co.'s CANs & since I am a CANnoiseur & not a CANnibal, instead of drinking their blood, I will be drinking their fermented malt-based beverages from a CANtainer formed from aluminum in a cylindrical form. Viva The CANQuest (tm)! Here we go, Stillers, here we go!

From the CAN: "Malts: Pilsner, Wheat, Acidulated Hops: Saphir, Galena Yeast: Voss Kveik Adjunct: Oats Style: Hazy IPA"; "Fresh CLE Beer".

Sorry, KLE, but "Hazy IPA" is not (yet) a style. Prepare to be downgraded acCANdingly on "Look". As such, I had the green light for a Crack! & inverted Glug since clarity was not a CANcern. I initially got some foaming through the vent which revealed itself to be the result of a brimful craft CAN. I knew to expect some foaming, but this came up really quickly, forcing me to back off & down as it arose. The three-plus fingers of rounded, rocky, eggnog-colored head looked like meringue atop lemon pie filling. "Hazy"? It was a downright cloudy Yellow-Gold (SRM = 4 -5)! Nose had a pleasant citrusiness, like lemons, limes, grapefruit & orange. Mmm. Another potential air freshener scent. Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was very citrusy, bordering on tart, initially, but then I got a tropical fruitiness, especially of pineapple, but also light mango and papaya creeping in. 8=O Yes! Oh, man, after all of those other beers, I was starting to suffer from Hophead Jones, but this was just what my pusher ordered. The CAN marked it as a mere 48 IBUs, but I am less into bitterness as simply a hop-driven AIPA. Phew. I feel a whole lot better already. Finish was semi-dry, which was kind of unusual for an AIPA, but perhaps this new, burgeoning "style" calls for it. Interesting.

Always on the hunt for new and exciting hop varieties, the Saphir brand is credited for citrus, particularly tangerine aroma and taste, and with an herbal tea-like bitterness. Platform Beer Company pounces in these hops in their small batch IPA series.

Saphir Clouds pours bright gold with only a hint of haze. A light honeycomb froth builds above and rolls onto the nose with a citrusy, orange leading hop perfume. Lemon and sun tea round out the scent while first impressions of taste are lightly of honey, caramel and soft graham cracker.

As the ale tightens its grip on the tastebuds, the middle palate shows a rapid dissolve of malt sweetness in order to let the hops shine. And those bright tangerine flavors do just that, trending lightly juicy, plump and dry with the elements of fresh citrus peels, including white grapefruit and lemon. Stone fruits rise next with the taste of apricot and marmalade, but at a dry and drinkable clip. Tea-like in finish, the beer trends somewhat English bitter-like but with American hop taste.

Medium light on the palate, the beer's showcase for Saphir hops becomes moderately strong and its malt dryness leaves a weak and thin spot in the middle to late palate. Ultimately, a spicy and fragrant wood bite accompanies a dry resinous grip on the tastebuds while the ale's aftertaste is medium long with herbal bitterness.

 

This is part of their "Small Batch IPA Series". 12oz can poured into a tulip. Pours a hazy glowing yellowish golden with a fluffy white head that fades leaving nice retention and lacing. The aromas are subtle with a balance between citrus and tropical notes. Some floral notes as well. The wheat is along with some malts. The flavors follow the nose for the most part. Some lemon and grapefruit in the mix along with some subtle hints of pineapple. Some fresh fruit juice. More floral notes. Some fresh grass. Mild hints of pine. The wheat is there to give it a sweetness. Moderate to low bitterness. Alcohol goes unnoticed. Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of medium-bodied with moderate carbonation. It's very fluffy and smooth. Very easy to drink.

This is an alright IPA. It's not bad at all, but it's nothing too crazy.

 

 

 

 

Step in the right direction for Platform "hazy" IPA's. Flavor isn't quite there, but very crushable with great feel.

12oz can dated 6/21/2017 from a 6-pack purchased from Wine Spot in Cleveland Heights for $10.99.

Hazy, opaque straw/lemon elixir with vigorous pour into snifter. Bright, thick white head to rim; territorial crags of lacing.

Tart tropical fruit of lemons, limes and grapefruit. Some pith and rind aromas.

A quick burst of these tropical fruits gives way to a smooth hop bitterness that lingers on the finish. On point, rounds on target.

Nicely carbonated, medium to light body, tangy, crushable.

Decent representation of the style but does not approach star status.