Amorphia
Hudson Valley Brewery

'Twas a great pour to empty entirely the contents of a pint can into a clear glass liter mug. A moderately pink head was produced and it seems to be enduring. The liquid beneath is cherry-red, cloudy, but relatively bright in hue. There's plenty of sour cherry that dominates a pleasant aroma. The taste is tart more than it's sour. The vanilla is nicely subtle and pleasantly adds another taste layer. Unfortunately, the lactose, as it often does, muddles it. It probably contributes to this being more tart than sour, even less tart than than would be ideal. Keeping the lactose inclusion in mind, the mouthfeel isn't too sticky for the category and it goes down rather easily. There's some commendable body, as well as glass lacing to complement it. Overall, this may fall a bit short of its sour IPA self-described category, as it's not a sour and there are barely any traits of an IPA. But, as a stand alone, this is pretty good. The mouthfeel, cherry/vanilla flavor and visuals rescue this from being a disappointment.

 

Reddish amber color with a medium-sized, white head. Strawberry and vanilla dominate the aroma, Tart, fruity taste with a good dose of lactic sugar for balance. Not bad.

 

 

16oz can from Rick. Medium golden with small white head. Light sourness in the aroma, some citrus too. More hops come forward in the taste, still a bit citrusy, and a nice light pucker.. Still some hops remain for a bit of bitterness. Nice!

 

 

1920
Name: Amorpia
Brewery: Hudson Valley Brewing
Location: Beacon, NY
Style: Kettle Sour IPA
ABV: 6%
Date: Unknown
Amorpia is next on the review table. I am continuing to consume the beer that Jay gifted me. How do I feel about a kettle sour IPA? If this is like those wacky milkshake IPAs, count me out. I served it at 44 degrees in a tulip glass. The pour created a frothy two-fingered frothy, and rocky head, a light pinkish-salmon color head. The color is orange with reddish-pink hues. The slow dissipation left no lacing on the head. The clarity is hazy, with a few carbonation bubbles.
Nosing the glass, I first smell strawberries and vanilla. Smelling the beer a few more times, I notice oranges, tropical fruit, acidic acid, light fruity sweetness, bready, lemon peels, and sweet cream. The malt is toasted bread and crackers. I was anticipating this beer to have more sourness, but I don't know what to think. The aromas are mainly fruity and hops.
The first sip was surprising. I was anticipating this mouth-puckering overly hop beer; however, I did not get that. The flavors are strawberries, vanilla, acidic acid, sweet cream, honeysuckle, mangos, lemon peels, oranges, pine needles, and grassiness.
The mouthfeel is tart and astringent, finishing dry. The body is medium and has medium carbonation.
This beer surprised me. I was still deciding about a sour IPA, but I will try another. The beer is beautifully crisp, fruity, hoppy, and tart.

L: A pink, purplish cloudy appearance. Less than a finger of white head, recedes quite quickly. Leaves some lacing.

S: Strawberries, with a little vanilla.

T: Strawberry with some vanilla on the back end. Quite tart. Delicious.

F: Moderately carbonated with a medium body.

O: From a brewery that makes so many great sours, this may be the best of them. Such a beautiful and delicious use of strawberries and vanilla.

 

 

 

 

 

Drank from a 16 fl. oz. can purchased at Craft Beer Cellar, Belmont, MA
Served in a tulip

The beer poured an interesting color that was halfway between orange and pink. Moderately cloudy. The body was topped by a small, frothy, bright white cap that quickly dropped to a thin collar. Some spotty lacing stuck along the glass.

The aroma was outstanding. Strawberry notes came through big time. Really bright and bold. Nice balance of sweet and tart. Somewhat floral as well. Fresh vanilla bean notes were quite prominent too. As the beer sat, the strawberry intensified.

The flavor profile was also fantastic. Loads of strawberry again. More tart than sweet initially but nicely balanced. Good dose of vanilla bean as well. Lots of crisp, tart wheatiness in the center. Strawberry reappeared on the back end and was a bit sweeter here. The beer finished with a lingering, lemon-like acidity.

Terrific soft, frothy mouthfeel. Medium bodied for the style. The liquid contained a fine, zippy effervescence that turned light and fluffy on the palate.

Strawberry is one of the more difficult flavors to showcase in a beer, and Hudson Valley did an absolutely amazing job with it in this one. These folks are true masters of adjuncted sour IPAs.