Triangular Optics
Bhramari Brewing Co

 

 

 

 

 

 

i was ready to hate this, or at least hate on it verbally for awhile, milkshake ipa is a style that has yet to really turn me on even a little bit, or rather, do anything other than turn me off, at least conceptually, but with all the unique ingredients i had to try one. turns out, like all the beer in here, that its pretty darn tasty and the unique elements are well incorporated. i like that this is hoppy first, dry hoppy and low bitter sure, but hops before additives no doubt. this is made with plums, vanilla, and tea, along with milk sugar of course. the plums give it a little pink color, orangey too, not as much head as it should have, but not super thick or sediment loaded either. the vanilla is obvious in the nose too, but not sweet or anything in the flavor. what i like the most here is the relationship between the floral and bitter tea with the hops, its almost like the tea has the vegetal and bitter aspects the hops usually do, and the hops have the dry hoppy fruitiness, citrus, and lightness i like in tea, so its cool. the plums are mild, the lactose isnt overdone, and if this had a bit more carbonation it would be a lot more drinkable than many of its peers. i like that its not too sweet at the end, or too desserty and gimmicky throughout. cool beer, these guys are going way out there with their recipes, but the execution is there! sick artwork on this one too.

A: Pours a murky medium to dark burnt tangerine orange in color with moderate amounts of fine active visible carbonation rising slowly along the edges of the glass and moderate pink + burnt orange + bright orange + dark golden yellow colored highlights. The beer has a two finger tall sudsy foamy beige head that quickly reduces to a medium sized patch of very thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of juicy tropical/mango, citrus/grapefruit, and citrus/orange hops over the top of light to moderate aromas of biscuit + caramel malts with moderate amount of caramel + lactose sweetness. Slightly stronger then moderate aromas of Thai tea, vanilla, and plum.

T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of biscuit + caramel malts with moderate amount of caramel + lactose sweetness. That is followed by slightly stronger than moderate flavors of Thai tea, vanilla, and plum. Finally there are moderate to strong flavors of juicy tropical/mango, citrus/grapefruit, and citrus/orange hops which impart a light amount of bitterness which fades away quickly leaving a lingering slightly sweet tropical + citrus flavor.

M: Slightly heavier than medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Fairly smooth/fluffy through the body with a hint of dryness in the finish.

O: Interesting - I wish there was a little more lactose sweetness and a little stronger Thai tea presence. Glad that I tried it and the can artwork is killer on this one. Alcohol is pretty well hidden and it drinks easily with a pleasant hop profile.