Checkerboard Life
Mason Ale Works

The contents of a pint can are poured into a clear glass Imperial pint mug. The initial pour is very disappointing, as there's way too much white and fluffy foam that leaves almost no glass lacing as it recedes. The color is an opaque blond-amber. The nose agrees with the eyes that this will be a hoppy and maltless failure at reaching the tops of this style. But to be fair, let's give a taste. Yep, the hops are there, but it's not particularly bitter. There is some sweetness, but as it's not particularly hoppy, the counterbalance is underwhelming. Somehow, the sweetness is obtained without bringing the hearty barley malt character necessary for an IPA to obtain greatness. This is a bland rendition of the category. It isn't horrible, but there's no reason to look for this, even if you like the style.

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: New England Double / Imperial IPA
Glass: North Park 16.5-oz. Munique glass
Price: $3.99
From: Windmill Farms in Del Cerro (San Diego), Calif.
Purchased: Dec. 16, 2020
Consumed: Dec. 16, 2020
Misc.: No canned on date

Grabbed this and way too much other stuff on a recent trip to Windmill Farms. Picked it up without even looking at ratings on Untappd and Beer Advocate. No canned on date, but since I was just there about a week prior and didn’t see it (and a bunch of other Mason Ale Works beers) I figured it was fresh. Untappd description called it, “Hazy Double IPA Double Dry-Hopped with Citra, Galaxy, and Cashmere. Strong aromas of tropical fruit, melon, and citrus. Smooth and pillowy hazy that complement the fruity hop flavor.” Still fairly new to Cashmere, but looking up the profile it was mostly herbal, lemon, lime and melon.

Poured a light gold hazy color with 2-to-3 fingers of frothy off-white head. Just a few bubbles coming up along the sides of the glass. Excellent uneven foamy lacing. Very good retention. (Sight - 4.25)

Smelled El Dorado-like at first, but apparently there wasn’t any. Also Citra, lemon, grapefruit, melon, peach, passion fruit, Galaxy, herbal and citrus zest. A little better out of the can with Galaxy and nectarine leading the way. (Smell - 4.00)

Tasted just a tad worse than the nose. Mainly citrus-sweet fruit. Got Citra up front, followed by lesser Cashmere and Galaxy. Also lemon, grapefruit, lime, passion fruit, Fruit Loops, peach, nectarine, melon, herbal and slightly bitter citrus rind. Tasted a little lighter than 8 pct. ABV. (Taste - 4.00)

Medium body. Oily texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt, citrusy finish. (Feel - 4.00)

An outstanding hazy DIPA. Glad I picked one up. (Overall - 4.00)

4.02 | 90 | A-

 

A - Opaque medium golden tan color with thin, dense lacing.

S - Aroma is muted melon and citrus along with pineapple.

T - Melon, citrus, herbal character, lemon, lime, and peach.

M - Big medium body with dryness on the back of the tongue while the rest of the mouth is wet.

O - Big lingering melon and lime. Another D-IPA using the new hop varieties and nicely done.