37' Flood
Dry Ground Brewing Co.

Massive head, nice aroma

 

With a sense of "what was", the brewers at Dry Ground stand in the crowded IPA market by going quite ordinary. Early American hops layer upon a complex but emboldened malt foundation for a uniquely American ale taste but with an British ale balance, moderacy and nuance.

37' Flood pours a rich copper color and with striking clarity for such a modern hop dominant style. Bold malt aromas bring a savory sweet scent laden with orange, peach and apricot. Its taste is affirmation of the hop malty nose with a juicy caramel, bread crust, pecan and light praline sweetness to start the session.

As the savory malts wash the middle palate, a balance of hop flavor soon comes along. Ripe orange, red grapefruit, mango, apricot and nectarine seem just as estery as it does hoppy. Tropical and citrus fruits achieve a balance that's even keel and perhaps even sweetened with notions of honey that lingers form the malt. Trending bitter, piney and stemmy, the late palate is peppery, sharp and sprucy.

Medium bodied and full for IPA, the beer balances much more like American pale ale or English ESB but its taste is fruity and piney like American IPA. A mild spice of pepper and vodka brings a necessary dryness that crispen the finish at the end. A medium length aftertaste remains botanical like gin and also nutty like pecan brittle.

I'm trying this at the brewery. It poured a clear copper with white head that is leaving a spotty lace. The scent had faint apricot ganache. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with bitter finish. There is dark fruit present at the finish. The mouthfeel is medium in body with good carbonation. Overall its a solid beer.

I found this pint to be mild, if not bland. Indeed, to my buds, it tasted a bit like tea. Given the IBU, is it possible that Mellow Mushroom served me the wrong beer?