Pattern Break
The Virginia Beer Company

Pours a cloudy, golden amber coloration with a medium, fluffy head. Smells of biscuity, slightly caramelly malt and resinous, citrus hops, with notes of grapefruit and pine. Taste is a great balance of biscuity, slightly caramelly malt and fruity, bitter, resinous and slightly herbal and spicy hops, with citrus notes of grapefruit and tangerine, as well as distinct, sticky pine and hints of black pepper. Finishes with a medium bitterness and some grapefruit and pine lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

A very nice, classic West Coast IPA that certainly has got the typical bitter and resinous character of the style down to T, with the sticky, resinous pine notes being especially distinct here, which I love, although it could also be just a tad more bitter and less sweet for my personal taste. There are also some rather zesty citrus notes to this, providing a certain zing in the finish that is rather pleasant, as well as lighter herbal and spicy accents that integrate themselves into the overall flavor profile very well here. Overall, this makes for a very enjoyable bitter, resinous and zesty WCIPA with subtle herbal and spicy accents giving a bit of an additional edge to this.

Nice to run across a good, old-fashioned West Coast IPA once in a while!! Poured from a 16 oz. can into a pint glass, Pattern Break featured a clear, light gold color and a bubbly white head with about average retention. There were some thin patches of lacing on the glass. Aroma and taste were good. Fairly bitter piney hops with some grapefruit. A bit resiny and a lot bitter...love it!!!! Mouthfeel was a bit light but crisp and with some good bitterness and resiny. Not always a fan of this brewery, but this is a solid beer!!!