Multipass
Counterbalance Brewing Company

i thought this was excellent, the best of their west coast ipa types we had in here, but all of their hoppy beer was good. this is cool because the hop profile is pretty distinct, and it has some malt balance but its not the conventional sweet toasted crystal malt thing, its lighter and more european, drier, but still providing good support. the pour has a brassy tone to it and a nice inch of creamy white head from the tap. the aroma is strong, honey and stone fruit and pineapple and light herbal bite, almost a noble element to it while also staying decidedly northwestern and high alpha, the grain is bready and out of the way here, and the fermentation is clean. the flavor is great, layers of hops expanding from start to finish, a fresh mosaic thing up front, more pine and orange pith bitterness late, but like orange jello and fresh milled lumber in the middle, still some herbal brightness to the finish as well. good balance, on the dry side overall, oily from the hops in the texture but the body stays kind of light, making this a primo pint beer. modern but also classic, really well done.