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The Veil Brewing Co. - Production Brewery

16oz can poured into a snifter

A- pours a hazy dull orange with a one finger creamy white head that has great retention and leaves some lacing behind

S- tropical notes of pineapple, guava and mango, followed by zesty grapefruit and tangerine. A hint of grass closes it out

T- zesty grapefruit and tangerine up front, mid-palate gives mango and pineapple. The finish gives pithy tangerine and more zesty grapefruit

M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that turns creamy into the finish

 

 

 

The contents completely emptied from a pint can into a clear glass liter mug displayed a brightly, but densely colored orange-yellow liquid. A very modest off-white head didn't last long. There are some distant fruit references in the aroma, but it's more about pine and resin, that sort of bitterness. Its appearance indicates plenty of oats in the wort and it tastes and feels like it. They mute and muddle a sharp hop bite, but in this case, tastefully so. Although they often add much to a brew's body, sometimes they make it a little sticky, or a little chalky. They do both here, but neither to great fault. Although not piercing, nor overly bitter, enough citrus rind and pine aspects of the hops come through. The added smoothness at the expense of a little chalkiness is basically an even trade-off. This may not present a complex taste transition, as it drinks the same from start to finish, but it's good enough to enjoy throughout. There was virtually no glass lacing, but it tastes great from start to finish.

 

Glowing orange-gold fluid with full, juicy haze but no murk or floaties. Really creamy looking. Nice initial head of bright white bubbles but the head doesn't last long and settles into a latte foam cap. But a lot of lacing down the glass. Outstanding looking hazy for 6%.

Aroma profile is fantastic, starting off with a huge blast of dank and weedy greens, followed by big tropical fruits and citrus juice. Distinct notes of peach, apricot, and red berries, with a little green grape musk mixed in. Subtler notes of pine resin. Really well balanced and saliva-inducing.

The taste profile can't quite keep up with the smell, though it's still outstanding. And honestly, it probably exceeds what could reasonably be expected with a 6% beer (taste limitations) that's triple dry-hopped (nose advantage). With Cat Cat Nap Nap the disconnect between awesome nose and great-but-not-awesome taste was an off-putting starchy green bite. Here I think it's just the reality of the 6% ABV. The wonderful weediness comes through loud and clear on the tongue but doesn't drift into overly starchy (i.e., unpleasant) territory. Citrus takes a little more of a front seat in the taste, with some wonderful pithy semi-sweet grapefruit poking through. But the tropical fruits are well represented, as well, with pineapple and mango coming through clearly. A nice white wine grape presence, too. Mostly dry with a nice mix of pith, bitterness, and a touch of natural fruit sweetness. It's not on par with the nose, but the taste is still really, really nice. And incredibly drinkable.

Feel is silky and smooth but in line with a 6% ABV hazy despite the creamy look in the glass. Coating but not sticky or chewy at all.

Outstanding hazy IPA, and pretty tough to beat at 6%. Will happily grab this one anytime I see it (or future versions) in Nashville or on trips to DC to visit friends. Right up there as a favorite Veil beer to date for me, and easily the best 6% IPA I've had in recent memory.