Space Camper IPA Saga - Delta Ray
Boulevard Brewing Co.

 

More like LIE-P-A amarite?

There really should be a separate subcategory for these session IPAs. Don't get me wrong. I've had about a hundred All Day IPAs. I understand the purpose but it's not the same beer. The malt backbone that's missing serves to make these beers more friendly, calorically. Cool. It's not the same thing.

I choose to review this as a session IPA rather than a true, malty, fattening IPA because this might be the best example I've encountered yet.

Looks like the head dissipates quickly due to lack of malt. No lacing to speak of. Yellow, hazy. Smells good. Fruity and interesting. Taste is more fruity hops like a New England IPA that lacks the punch of a bigger beer.

This is good. I'd drink it again as a thirst quencher or as a back to a neat bourbon. Pairs well with cheese plates and desperation. I won't buy this again but if you enjoy low-cal IPA this is your jam.

I guess this is Boulevard's version of a light IPA. That being said it's still a well balanced and enjoyable beer. Lots of citrus with mild hop undertones. Easy drinker, light abv. Would drink again but wouldn't seek it out.

 

Pours a hazy, foggy dark orange with a finger and a half of off-white foam. Head retention is okay. Aroma is herbal, resin, grassy, papaya, tangerine, and orange zest with a touch of earthy hop at the back. It's a little playful, offering up that fresh squeeze of tropical fruits to lighten it up. Flavor profile is herbal, resin, grass, papaya, tangerine, and earthy hops mingle for a grounded hoppy IPA with a touch of citrus sweetness. Mouth feel is medium-thin with a crisp softness up front. That mild effervescence pushes this towards the light end of 'crisp'. Overall, hops play together well for a dynamic, light-bodied IPA.

Served in a 15.5oz Speigalau tulip from a 12oz can.

 

 

 

12 oz can, 6/2/21, best by 10/30/21, into Southern Grist pink logo snifter.

Hazy indeed, with a touch of milkiness, I like it. Finger of head, leaves lots of gloppy lacing with agitation.

Aroma is a mixture of suburban Seattle (think Cobain's street) and juicy fruits. To be specific, wet evergreen with mud after a light rain, and some pink grapefruit, pink guava, and mandarin orange. A touch of lavender too. Bing! Another good category here.

Flavor is intensely bitter, and look, I'm not on drugs, but it reminds me of something space-related, perhaps as a kid. A memory flashed into my brain, learning about NASA and stuff. Super, super ironic. JANSPORT backpack. Musty carpet. Damn. Some gummy candy (that might be it actually) and sweet lemon follow up the pine and blueberry opening. Solid, if a little too much bitter.

Feel is crisp, juicy, carbonated, well attenuated and finished completely for a crisp and dry beer. A bit like a Brut IPA (remember that flicker fad?). Slight lingering resins that only hang gently. This was probably cheap to brew but doesn't taste like it.

Overall, a cute little 4%'er that I could see myself having again at a bar or sports game or something. It's tasty, and hits the right markers for a general IPA for me. Not award winning, but it'll do for tonight.

$1.89 @ Fogey's

 

 

From the can, Pours a slightly hazed gold one finger of ivory colored head. Above average head retention

S: Tons of tropical fruits, mangoes, papaya, plus dryness up front.

T: Follows the nose, along with Kiwi Fruit & Guava up front. More Guava & Kiwi Fruit as this warms, plus a little nectarine. Finishes a little dry with Kiwi Fruit & Passion Fruit

MF: Light/medium body, lightly carbonated, nice balance

I usually find IPAs this low in ABV lack. This one is plenty drinkable with nice flavor

On draft at PapPo's Pizza. Poured a clear, golden orange color with a fairly small, off-white head of foam. It left minimal lacing on the glass. It smelled of citrus, lemon, some pine and toasted bread. Sweet toasted caramel taste with orange and a mild piney bitterness.