SHB: DDH Galaxy
Narrow Gauge Brewing Company

Pint can - 04/20/20 - poured into an ale tulip at 38°F.

Big thanks to Seth for this one! First Narrow Gauge beer.

Pours a fully hazy, bright pastel pulpy orange, topped with nearly three fingers of plumy, fluffy, off-white head that deflates at a moderate pace, leaving some lacing behind, atop a substantial irregular collar. No visible effervescence.

Nose: The aroma is absolutely bursting with dry-hopped Galaxy notes, but this profile is particularly fruity and bright for Galaxy. It still has that signature overripe stone fruit aroma, with peach, apricot, papaya, and mango, and that oh-so Galaxy chalky, earthy green note, but there's also some zippy pineapple, guava, orange, and big tropical juice note. All above a clean, restrained pale malt base that definitely gives off some oaty vibes. Very nice.

Palate: The beer greets the palate with mildly sweet pale grainy malt, followed by a burst of hoppiness that is without question, Galaxy. All the classic overripe papaya, peach, apricot, and nectarine, with secondary notes of mango and guava, followed by that earthy Galaxy dank note - not quite allium, not quite grassy, but something in between, eventually leading to a resinous, pithy, earthy green hoppy bitterness. The signature Galaxy bitterness quickly dries the beer out - as Galaxy always does, and eventually settles into a dry, chalky finish.

Mouthfeel/Body: The beer is medium-bodied, with a soft fullness to it, thanks to the malt which almost surely has some oat and wheat in it. It isn't full or heavy, but it has that typical soft, New England-style feel to it, with a slightly fluffy texture. It remains crisp and drinkable, and the drying finish begs you to take that next sip. Zero hop burn or stinging acidity. Bitter, but not overly so, and overall, it's a very balanced DDH IPA. Goes right down at 7% ABV.

Overall: I've had my fair share of Galaxy single hop IPAs. It's a varietal that just works for a single hop format. This beer delivers everything I'd expect from a Galaxy IPA, and even a touch more on the nose. I think the base beer is particularly well-crafted, and if this is a rotating series, I would love to try other variations. It's not unlike some other well-regarded Galaxy IPAs, and while it isn't particularly groundbreaking, it's certainly very enjoyable and drinkable. At the end of the day, I'd recommend this to ANYONE who loves Galaxy hops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appearance: Arrives cloudy and honey colored with an impressive head that leaves swathes of lacing behind

Smell: Pineapple, pink grapefruit and passion fruit tones

Taste: Pineapple forward, with the the passion fruit and grapefruit adding a citrusy edge; very juicy finish

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: Another good NE style IPA from the SHB/DDH series at Narrow Gauge