Apologize Less 2020
Birds Fly South Ale Project

Relatively hazy but ultimately translucent dark orange body. Decent head production and retention.

Wonderfully hoppy nose, promising both bite and bitterness. Grapefruit, guava, orange, and papaya.

Similar on the palate. Listed as a NE-IPA, but I get some WC vibes, albeit with not quite as much bitterness. Loads of hop flavor, quite juicy, with an ample malt base imparting mostly pale dough but also a kiss of caramel malt. Pine, mango, papaya; the guava doesn't add much, sadly.

 

 

16 ounce can into tulip glass, canned in 1/2020. Pours very hazy deep golden/orange/amber color with a small fairly dense and fluffy off white head with great retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Nice spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big lightly tart/tangy pink guava, tangerine, orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, lime, peach, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/zest, wood, peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light toast, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops, guava, and bready malt notes; with big strength. Taste of big lightly tart/tangy pink guava, tangerine, orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, lime, peach, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/zest, wood, peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light toast, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Mild pine, herbal, floral, woody, grassy, peppery bitterness; and fruit tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of pink guava, tangerine, orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, lime, peach, pineapple, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, blueberry, gooseberry, citrus peel/zest, wood, peppercorn, pine, wheat, cracker, biscuit dough, light toast, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a while. Great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops, guava, and bready malt flavors; with a great malt/bitter/tart/tangy balance; and no astringent hop/fruit flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering bitter/tartness. Medium carbonation and body; with a very smooth, moderately creamy/bready/grainy, fairly sticky/resinous/rindy, and lightly acidic/tangy mouthfeel that is great. Minimal warming alcohol for 6.8%, or lingering hop burn after the finish. Overall this is an excellent fruited NEIPA. All around great complexity, robustness, and balance of citrus/fruity/tropical/earthy hops, guava, and bready malt flavors; very smooth and easy to drink with the mellowly bitter/tart/tangy/drying finish; great soft feel. Awesome Mosaic/Citra profile. Very juicy hops/fruit, with light dank/earthy notes; and a nice wheat/oat/malt backbone. Mild residual sweetness with lingering resin dryness. A very enjoyable offering, and well made style example. No complaints. Loved the hop profile as expected.