Tropic Of Capricorn
Monnik Beer Co.

 

They sure don't make 'em like they used to. -That's the saying that we're used to hearing. But if you're Monnik Beer and it's IPA, then they make them exactly the way they used to. And that means bitter.

Pouring a hazy golden peach color, their Tropic of Capricorn wafts raises a firm and steady white froth while drifting across the nose with an abundance of tropical fruit, peppery spruce and a twinge of gin spice. Then the tongue soon registers a bounty of juicy malt sweetnesses in the semblance of honey shortcake, light graham cracker and carmel.

Its those elevated malt sugars that provide a buffer for the growing hops that dictate the taste from there on out. As its tropical flavors unfold with a presence of pineapple, mango and papaya, the secondary and more citrusy notes of orange, pink grapefruit and guava add their special acidic zing. Yet constantly striving for a malty-dry palate and a likeness for bitterness, the late palate falls on a spicy and botanical character with resinous pine at the helm.

Medium full on the palate, yet plump compared to west coast IPA but certainly drier than they typical hazy IPA, this impreial version finishes malty dry with an emphasis on the acute bitterness in a classic old-school kind of way. A long aftertaste of botanical gin and its prickly spice ride along side of the resinous hops for a clean albeit strong impression overall.

 

Dank stuff. Probably the best DIPA brewed in the state, great example of a west coast hop bomb. I'm glad this one hasn't been reviewed, hope it stays low key. Amazing!