Zkittlez
Sycamore Brewing

Getting specific about what candies that their hops are trying to emulate, Sycamore brewers turn to the most tropical, citrusy, tangy and sweet IPA options to create a fruity session like no other.

Zkettlez kicks off with a tarnish orange appearance, held in place with a pastel haze and an overall matte finish on the glass. Well and frothy, the beer's ivory tinted foam thwarts a strong perfume of fruit cocktail, soft herb and a mildly tangy aroma. Sweeter to taste, the early impressions are of agave, shortbread and honeysuckle with a starchy cereal consistency.

As the hops open up on the middle palate, the bountiful flavors of orange, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, lime, passionfruit, pineapple, mango and a general fruit cocktail culmination. With hints of sherbet, juicy fruit bubble gum, pop-rocks and push-ups, the whimsy of candied fruits steam forward before eventually turning herbal with notions of tea, spruce, hemp and botanical spice.

Medium bodied and creamy throughout, the hazy IPA finishes fruit with an herbal hop bitterness for a smooth balance. A linger of herb and fruit peels linger past the juicy nature of malts and fruit impressions for a tighter, racier sense of refreshment.

 

I got a can of this beer from my bestie from Charlotte, NC. It poured a hazy orangish with thin white head that is leaving a spotty lace. The scent had dank tropical fruit notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with skittles vibrant flavors being represented. The mouthfeel was medium in body and had good carbonation. Overall it is a great beer.

Had while visiting in Knoxville at a bar. Pours an opaque, murky, muddy orange gold color with a off white silky film. Aroma is elusive but shows some vaguely tropical notes. Pleasant. The taste is similar with some pineapple and candy notes along with a touch of orange. Up front there are some nectarine notes but they fade. There is some light malt flavor that comes through mid taste that muddles the hops. Feel is very soft and creamy, light bitterness in the finish.

I have to say this does taste like skittles, but in a subtle way. Not sure about the off flavors that kick in mid taste but otherwise a solid yet murky NEIPA

 

 

 

 

 

 

16 oz can, canned 3/1/2021, poured into a modified flanged top pint glass. A murky, hazy pale yellow orange juice color. A thin head that forms a rim of lace on the side of the glass. Aroma of grapefruit, passion fruit, hard candy, and slight bitterness. The taste is pulpy grapefruit/tangerine, very pithy aftertaste, maybe lemon and lime. The feel is somewhat thin and astringent, even with the slight heft as it sits on the palate. Overall, I can see the Skittles connection. Decent offering, though I can envision it being divisive.