Hidden Gem
Bearded Iris Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another good IPA from BI, which at this point I fully take for granted. Not sure it really differentiates itself considerably from others in the portfolio, but still remarkably solid across the board. Poured from a can into a tulip, look has a beautiful haze (without floaties) and a gorgeous, big-bubble, bright white, 2.5-finger head that held on admirably but laced very little. The body color doesn't have the alluring golden-orange tint as many other BI offerings, instead carrying more of a cidery hue. Still Very attractive.

Smell is dank. Dank. And more dank. Lots of West Coast influence with pine resin, sharp citrus rind, fresh-cut grass, and a little green onion. Nice initial punch of aromas, but not overly deep.

Taste is bitter pith, wet grass, dank pine, a lot of raw citrus, light cracker, and pretty green. Very vegetal. A little more bitter and a little less sweet than many other BI pales, IPAs and IIPAs. Pretty sharp lemon and grapefruit and very little orange or tropical fruit. Again, lots of West Coast (C-hops) personality mixed with BI's NE base.

Feel is medium-bodied, pillowy, and very smooth. Texture and flavors gently slide off your teeth and tongue but leave a little residual goodness behind.

Another tasty sipper from BI.

 

 

 

Bearded Iris strikes again, bringing their lupulin power to the forefront of taste, aroma and bite. With their Hidden Gem, a symphonic blend of Ekuanot, Motueka, Centennial, Columbus and Warrior hops bring a wealth of bitterness and succulent charm to the senses.

Goldenrod, muddy and frothy, a patient meringue slowly pulls from the beer and laces centrically while drinking smoothly. Citrus and tropical fruit bring a fruity perfume along with a grassy, leafy and herbal array in scent. Shortcake, light caramel and honey align on the front of the tongue as first introductions of taste trend malty and biscuity.

And while the sweetness slowly recedes, the hops continue to billow over the middle palate with the tangy radiance of lemon, white grapefruit, slightly under ripened orange and those tropical influences of pineapple and passionfruit. Off of dank proportions, the beer rather rounds the finish with a spicy bitterness laced with hemp, chive and geranium.

Medium bodied and creamy, what starts moderately sweet finishes malty dry, smooth and with those herbal bitternesses that resonate soundly of citrus and tropical peels and that expected muddled, herbaceous grassiness.

 

Poured from a can into a snifter. Turbid and golden yellow in color. Nice foamy white head with good retention and nice laces in the glass. Moderate aroma: some faint tangerine, heavy resin, and doughy bread. A nice citrus bite up front on the taste with heavy herbal notes and some grassiness. A slight hop burn on the finish. Soft mouth feel. Enjoyable.