Overtones
Bearded Iris Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

Putting a few of the sexiest hops on the planet to work, Bearded Iris continues to churn out amazingly fruity imperial IPA with the classic smooth bitterness and an appearance that looks like golden mashed potatoes.

Turbid and murky, the golden, light amber ale's opaque appearance rests underneath a creamy off white froth. All that precedes an aromatic array that starts with tangy citrus, succulent tropical fruit and an herbal complement to balance the nose. Juicy in flavor, the beer's light caramel and honey maltiness rounds the early palate and its creaminess seems like angel food cake.

Sweetness is slow to release, meanwhile the hops lay fruity tracks that use the malt sweetness as an accessory to their sweet fruit puree and juice impressions. Tangerine, pink grapefruit and lemon highlight the beer's fresh squeezed, tangy citrus character while mango, passionfruit and pineapple fuel the succulent tang of tropical fruit. Grassy, spicy and cast with the bite of geranium and chive, the finish is smoothly herbal with a botanical help-like array.

Medium bodied but seeming fuller because of the beer's light and fluffy cake-like malts that resists any rapid ability to dry. Its that sweetness and body that facilitates the beer's seductive fruit flavors while the ale trails into a medium long aftertaste of muddled grasses and tropical fruit peel.

 

This was a lot sweeter up front than expected!

I get lots of mango, orange, and lemon flavor.

Overall, another solid beer from these guys.

 

 

 

 

 

Poured into a snifter. Much less hazy than their typical IPAs and looks more like a classic IPA - moderately hazy and golden-amber in the glass. A modest, frothy off-white head settled slowly. Bright fruity aromas: berries, pineapple, tangerine, and faint resin. This was not sweet per se, but the fruity flavors and the high ABV gave that impression. More berries and tropical fruit. A bit of bready malt and dankness to balance it out. A slight bit of heat on the finish but certainly in line and not boozy. The feel was on the soft side - another excellent beer.

Poured from a two-week-old can into a tulip. A lot more west coast IPA influences in this beer compared to most other BI offerings. Body is a pretty golden-copper with a light haze but no brininess or pulp. My gentle pour created a 2-finger fluffy white head that initially held form but fizzled to a thin coating after about the third or forth sip. Little bit of soft lacing down the side of the glass.

The west coast IPA characteristics take over in the aroma. Very dank, resinous, and earthy. There's a little bit of balance, here, with light biscuit, grass, and dry straw. But certainly the biggest punch (when you get past the dank pine) is orange, pineapple, tropical fruit, brown sugar, and a little green onion. As the beer warms I get more damp hemp notes.

Taste is relatively balanced for a BI beer, with a lot of gummy malt and minty herbalness up front. Then I get waves of dank resin and candied citrus and berries. Sweet but not cloying at all. There's mild bitterness but it's very clean and doesn't linger long. Lots of grassiness and a little wheat cracker. Very earthy. As the beer warms I get some strong lemony notes coming through.

Average body and mouthfeel (for a big IPA or IIPA) -- not as pillowy and velvety as some of BI's other offerings, but still silky and very smooth. And just the right amount of carbonation. You really don't notice the 8%+ ABV at all.

Not a dramatic change of pace from BI's NE-influenced brews, but a little different and still very good.