Rock Me Dr. Motueka
Magnify Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

L - bright, thick yellow haze. Nice floof to this head.

S - heavy on the lemon head candy. Hints of butter and sweet white bread. Pink grapefruit juice and lemon meringue vanilla..y..ness.

T - has a distinct candy-like flavor. Grape, papaya, apricot. Fresh thyme and grass. Maybe a hint of dill. A little plasticy though but I think that's motueka for ya.

F - vibrant and fills the mouth. Creamy per magnify usual, they always do a good job.

O - motueka is one of those hit or miss hops for me. I don't like it per se, but I can appreciate what's going on here and certainly don't hate it. Just kinda weird.

Reviewed on release day, one day after canning. Poured from 16 oz. can into Magnify tulip glass. It pours a turbid, golden-yellow with honey-orange hues, and a half finger of milky lacing that dissipated slowly leaving a thin vaneer of like-colored lacing inside the glass. I think the glass has to warm a bit to appreciate the smell. There's lemon, grapefruit, and a nice dose of honeydew melon, with some soft pine and light hops, and a distinct vanilla scent. There's a lot less citrus than some of the other Dr. series; I'm tasting some light lemon and grapefruit but also a creamy vanilla/lactose flavor and the unique taste of Motueka hops that have a grassy, cracker quality. The finish is surprisingly dry and crisp. The tastes are distinct but surprisingly delicate. There is little residual bitterness and no yeast burn. This ale has a pleasing, creamy body with pleasant carbonation, and the 8% ABV is just right; it gives the ale character but doesn't distract. Overall, this is an Ape you should drink slowly and savor as the flavors really pop as it slowly warms. Well done!