Project Blackwing
J. Wakefield Brewing

found a single pint can of this in reno of all places, been ages since i had a wakefield brew, how exciting, i could not pass it up! not sure its at its peak of freshness anymore, but its a reminder of how robust and cool these guys can be anyway, and miami is a long way from reno. just a tad thick looking, pale orange colored and creamy headed with great lace and retention and still a lot of carbonation showing. the nose here shows faint oxidation but not bad, and a sort of radical hop profile, maybe a little catty from the mosaic, but i get waxy honey, sliced pineapple, fresh apple cider, lemongrass, ripe papaya and mango, and lime leaf, a faint bit of leafy greenness too, but its not a hash bite. the flavor is like the nose, both herbal and fruity, with a tropical vibe kicking up, wet lawn, juicy peach, and sweet orange, these hops combine expertly well and the 586 is on display in most of its glory, i suspect this varietal is going to get named and blow up soon, its so distinctive. low bitterness but still some hop intensity to finish, more body than it needs for me, especially without a significant flavor contribution from what seems to be a relatively generic malt base. still its frothy and churned up and lively, and the high carbonation is just right for it. i dont necessarily want four cans of this, but it was cool to get acquainted with these guys again a little bit in what felt like an unlikely place. big like an imperial in some ways, and with a sturdy double dry hopping. distinct and well done, oddly and rightly kind of wintery whether intentional or not, it felt that way as i sipped on it...

 

 

great hoppy ipa you get so much hop flavor in evry sip