Catalina Clouds
Mile Wide Beer Co.

 

Is "fluffy" a taste? Mile Wide Brewing thinks so as they take their Catalina IPA series to the hazier side. Fueled with Simcoe and Citra hops, this softer, silkier, smoother take on IPA will have you craving more of the fluff too.

Hazy taupe and with a golden tint, the mostly dense matte finish plays out in the glass like creamed honey and yeast slurry. As an ivory white froth builds upon the rim, the nose is greeted with a bold citrus medley with a backdrop of herb, spice and a fresh grassy scent. But to taste, the flavors are firmly malty with the common taste of cereal, honeysuckle and shortbread early on the tongue.

The hops spring to life with a bold and flavorful display of white grapefruit, mandarin orange and the slightness of lemon once the ale hits the middle palate. With the malt sweetness and starch lightening considerably on the tastebuds, the creamy citrus flavors make a smooth transition to an herbal bite of lemongrass, hemp, and geranium-like bitterness in a medium tone late in its taste.

Medium bodied and firmly malty throughout, a late dive toward dryness and crispness ensures a refreshing finish and a full sense of drinkability with lasting impressions of lemon pepper, spruce, hemp and green tea in a medium length aftertaste. It turns out that fluff tastes a lot like creamy hops.