Phantasm Of The Opera
Barbarian Brewing

possibly just called pahntasm now, but same beer i believe, maybe just short hand on their chalk menu, anyway, i was excited because i like this kind of ipa, but its heavy and murky and dense and it feels like quite a lot to trudge through, even has some exposed alcohol adding to the perceived size of it, not as refined as i hoped it would be, and frankly as it should be for how good these guys can do some things, flavorful no doubt, a massive juicy hop bomb, spicy too which makes it unique, but also just a lot on the palate and in the gut, definitely a one and done pour for me, but there are elements to like for sure. chewy looking, almost green tinted its so hopped, average white head from the tap, a little intimidating, short of sloppy but still a bit untidy. the nose is neat, vinous from the phantasm, key lime, grapefruit pith, clementine, faint green onion, canned pineapple, and wet grassiness in the mix too, coconut nuance, and an almost woody character, some bitterness evident, an almost belgian ester from what must be the thiols, complex and big. the flavor has layers too, less torpical than it smells, white currant and green grape tang up front, pine and bitter citrus in the middle, daffodils and dandelions later, and finally more coconut and almost noble spiciness on the finish. the azacca definitely does its thing in here, citra hops are also obvious, and the phantasm boosts some of that up front vibrancy but doesnt really elevate this the way i thought it would, its like all the nuance has been just hopped over, this thing is green in the palate. i like it having some bite at the end, i think the combination of hops is also cool, but the beer overall isnt great, its thick, boozy, and a bit of a grain stew underneath all the hops, a commitment. promising, but in need of some dialing in. still its not the hoppy beers that hit for me at barbarian, maybe the weakest area of their overall game right now, much as i appreciate this effort to be bold and modern...

Double hazy IPA made with Phantasm powder (derived from New Zealand Sauv Blanc grapes), Citra, Azacca, Strata and El Dorado Hops, and Opera Malt from Skagit Valley Malt.