Extension: Pamplemousse On The Loose
The Exchange Brewery

Pale hazy gold (like grapefruit juice) under a substantial head. Full cap after a while and tons of lace. Good looking beer. Very appetizing nose of tropical fruit, not specifically grapefruit. Blend of five different hops, but while they're pronounced in the taste, they don't brutalize your palate. Fairly soft mouthfeel, notable but pleasant bitterness that lingers alongside dryness. A quite clean and simple mouthfeel. Fruity hops dominate the flavour followed up by some grapefruit pith. Overall very drinkable and enjoyable.

Tallboy from Superstore; dated Apr 22 2022 and served slightly chilled. Part of their Extension series, which doesn't follow Exchange's usual number/symbol naming methodology.

Pours hazy golden orange with a few flecks of sediment; situated atop is one finger of smooth, foamy, sparkling white head that fades within several minutes. A delicate ring of doily-patterned lace is left hanging above a frothy collar; looks like a hazy IPA to me, but the nose is nothing like the NEIPAs that litter shelves these days. Floral hops on the nose, with hints of grainy, wheaty pale malt, passion fruit, lemon and grapefruit - considering this beer's name, the grapefruit seems muted.

That only holds true for the aroma, as pink grapefruit flavours are plenty prominent in the flavour profile. Wheaty and bready, with hints of honeyed sweetness underneath a roiling sea of grapefruit and hops - orange, passion fruit, maybe a hint of apricot, with floral/earthy hop bitterness towards the finish. Bitter grapefruit lingers into a mildly astringent aftertaste, compelling you to take another sip. Medium in body, with a moderate carbonation that lends some prickliness to its otherwise soft, fluffy texture; I found this very drinkable, but I love both bitter IPAs and grapefruit, so I'm a little biased.

Final Grade: 3.82, a B+. It does say 'hazy' on the label, but don't make the mistake of assuming that Pamplemousse on the Loose is an NEIPA - after all, it's listed at 50 IBUs, and grapefruit is rather bitter to begin with. I enjoyed this beer quite a bit, but like many Exchange products, it's pricier than average, so it'll only be an occasional purchase. A safe pick for grapefruit IPA fans, and I'd also feel comfortable recommending this to hopheads in general.

Feb 12 2024

Review from notes. LCBO purchase and served cold into a beer mug.

Appearance-Hazy golden color with two fingers of white head and good staying power.

Smell - Generally tropical notes with some focus on grapefruit.

Taste - Fairly bitter, tropical citrus with some rather bitter grapefruit elements. Reasonably balanced.

Mouthfeel - Carbonation is moderate, semi juicy up front but dry on back end.

Overall - A tasty if not overly spectacular grapefruit IPA.