Gimme the Lupe
Aldus Brewing Company

This episode starts nicely. Even at a warm room temperature, it was a well controlled pour that emptied the entire pint can into a clear glass liter mug. There was no foam, odd for a modern American IPA, but there wasn't much of a head, neither. The well-carbonated beer is brightly and lightly golden-amber. No, it's not aromatic, as the nose senses the alcohol as readily as it does the malt and hops. Unfortunately, to taste, the alcohol burn supercedes any contributions from the malt body and hops. It's sweet, even sweeter than the adjunct malt liquors readily available. The sweetness is superficial, like refined white sugar compared to black strap molasses. Even the hops that are there can't compensate for the sweet and alcohol dominance in the taste. Complexities here, there are none. This is a brew that provides plenty of alcohol, without much flavor. Overall, it tastes like a tea that's overly sweetened and has a generous shot of cheap vodka added. Whatever mouthfeel there is, isn't mitigating. There's no glass lacing here, nor is there any praise.

Undated can into pint glass. Pours a slightly hazy medium gold color with a thin off-white head. Decent lacing. Initial impression is sweet orange, mango, and tropical fruits. Mouthfeel is smooth and slick. Finish fades to sweet citrus. A little too sweet for my tastes.