Jesty IPA
Goodwood Brewing Co.

Taking their hoppy ways to the berry and zesty side, Goodwood carefully weaves the flavors of juniper and lemon into a summery IPA for that certain gin-like kick. They say it's all in jest, but I'd argue that its more in zest.

Jesty IPA pours a rather dark amber color and held in a somber and moderate haze. As a short froth skirts the glass, the aromas of dark berries add a certain twang to the otherwise citrusy, piney and toasty-sweet scent. With the first sip, the malts lay a sweet and starchy foundation with toffee, caramel, toast and honey.

As the sweetness works hard to stay in control, its the hops that meet and eventually surpass the malt balance with their sprucy, woodsy and resinous bite. Flavors of lemon lead the way, but not without nuanced flavors of orange and grapefruit for a rounded citrus complement. Trending bitter with those peppery resins, the combination of fruit peel, bitterness and woodsiness that eventually frame a taste that straddles that of American IPA and British Best Bitter.

Medium bodied and seemingly fuller for IPA, the beer's botanical nature makes it an intriguing choice that finishes on the bitter side of bitter-sweet with a long extension of woodsy bitterness with that juniper twang. Its a perfect hoppy beer that complements their Waylon burger quite well.