RIP
Calusa Brewing

Reviewed from (long-standing) notes. Poured from the 16 oz. can into an El Catador Barrel-Aged glass.

A: Turbid medium gold with orange highlights. A low amount of visible carbonation, and a thin white head forms and fades fairly quickly.

S: Melon, tropical fruit, citrus. Malts that do smell a little more biscuity than most NE IPAs I’ve had, but no overt rye aroma to me. A nice aroma, though maybe not quite as juicy as some NE IPAs.

T: Melon and citrus again. A bit dank and earthy spiciness as well. Tropical fruits as well, but less than the nose and not crazy juicy. Biscuity malts here – no caramel or anything, but there’s a fullness here from the rye and maybe a subtle spiciness. Citrus flavors with mild bitterness in the hang.

M: Medium body, low alcohol, and average carbonation sensation.

O: This was tasty enough I guess, but not my favorite from Calusa. I can't say there's anything *wrong* with it, but the choice of hops just didn’t generate all the juicy flavors they usually do. But, certainly fine enough to drink.

 

 

 

Tall can direct from the source in Sarasota, 2-15-19 stamped on the bottom.

Clouded up pour, darker squash soup in color, moderate and looser cap, next to no lacing left on the glass.

Fruited up nose with ripe pears coming to mind.

Soft, fruity, softly citric, super smooth and basically delicious IPA. Some of the finest beer in Florida, comes out of this place I am told, and this one does not disappoint or dispel that sentiment....glad I visited the brewery and got to enjoy a few freshmen cans of this stuff.

 

 

Rye has been used in conjunction with hops throughout craft beer's revolution to boost the impression of bite on the finish without the use of excessive hop additions. And now, Calusa Brewing puts that grain to use to bring that same bite to the smoother, juicier New England styled IPA.

The Rip pour with the visual weight of scrambled eggs- deep, creamy and golden in color, the turbid and yeasty ale greets the nose with a tropical, citrus and herbal bouquet that drifts gently above its creamy white foam. Sweet on the early palate, a taste of pastry, light honey and a creamy simple sweetness emits from the barley before the hops steal the show.

As the sweetness gradually lifts from the tongue, the hop flavors mimic that of the aromas leading with pineapple, passionfruit and kiwi. Tropical impressions come way of white grapefruit, tangy under ripened orange and a hint of lemon. The grit of rye brings a spicy zing to the later palate just as the hop bitterness gently caresses the palate with an herbal complement of fresh grassiness, hemp and chive.

Medium bodied, the smooth and creamy ale retains a starchy heft due to the linger of grain sweetness and structure. But the ale trends drier than usual on the heels of the husken bitterness and tannins of rye grains and a slightly more resinous hop character. A medium long linger of verbena, tea and sassafras accompany the bitterness and bite of the hops and rye additions for a crisp and clean herbal finish.