Sabro X Strata NEIPA
Anderson Craft Ales

355 mL can from the LCBO, included in an Anderson mixed pack. Reviewed from notes taken last winter. Dated Sep XX 2024 and served barely chilled.

Pours a cloudy, turbid pale golden colour, sporting nearly two fingers of bumpy, foamy white head that lasts for the better part of five minutes. A spidery coat of delicate lace decorates the glass afterwards, with a frothy collar remaining on the surface; looks good to me. Orange, passion fruit and nectarine on the nose, as well as touches of coconut, mint, bubble gum and sage.

Mellow fruit flavours early on - orange, strawberry, nectarine and passion fruit, followed by a bombing run of coconut flavour that dominates the middle and back end of the sip. Hints of bubble gum and pineapple candy later on, as well as a touch of woodsy, resiny hop bitterness that never amounts to much; coconut suntan lotion, mint and tropical fruits linger & then fade into the aftertaste. Medium-full in body, with low carbonation that weakly nudges the surface of the palate, resulting in a soft, smooth mouthfeel. I would say that this has great drinkability, but I'm not real big on the coconut.

Final Grade: 3.85, a B+. Anderson's Sabro x Strata NEIPA is a good demonstration of what these two hops can do, though I found that that it was mainly the Sabro in the driver's seat. That blast of coconut at the finish was a bit much for me - I dunno, I'm getting the sense that maybe I'm just overly sensitive to whichever compound it is in Sabro hops that is responsible for that flavour. It's not enough to ruin the experience, but it doesn't make me want to order a refill, either. Regardless, it's still a solid hazy IPA that I'll encourage others to try, and would consider revisiting in the future.

Pours a thin white foam head. Yeasty and hazy. Aroma is of citrous zest and mango, a little bit of flowers as well.
Taste is hoppy and floral. I'm getting some lemon zest also. It's an easy to drink IPA from some rather nice hops. Give it a try if you see it.