The Hopinator
Laughing Monk Brewing

Got back from the first river day of the year yesterday and cracked this beer to watch Selection Sunday. I remarked that after river beers (easy drinkers like 805) something like this really pops.

Pours a brilliantly clear golden color. Great clarity, 1/2" white head. The aroma imparted more Simcoe than anything. Interesting. You'll find out its a Simcoe dominated beer overall. A little bit of guava behind the icy pine forest. You want lychee, sure, you can get a side of that.

The taste is nice, so you still have all that Simcoe laying a solid foundation. Light grain bill, apt for times and style. Crisp mouthfeel, doing your wheelhouse Simcoe, good job. Light guava and papaya influence, slightly distant behind the brisk cool pine wave going on. Light citrus rind impact. Hit of herb to it.

So my recommendation is entirely built around whether or not you like Simcoe. If so, absolutely pick this up. If not, don't. The best part about the Simcoe here is it isn't just bitterness, it gives that winter pine forest feel as well.