Bit Viper
Yards Brewing Co.

At the Yards Brewhouse in Northern Liberties, the serving arrived within a clear Imperial pint glass. Nearly completely filled, there was very little off-white head on top, as that's the way we pour draft beers in Philadelphia. The brew is dark apricot-amber and it's dull and opaque. Although not particularly aromatic, there's some malt coupled with a tropical fruit referenced character. To the taste, there's a full flavored delivery. There's enough malt to add an extra layer, without making this too sweet. The beer menu describes this as a juicy and aromatic "Hazy Citrusss IPA", but that shortchanges the complexity of flavors here. The hops transition their character from tropical to citrusy as it finishes. It has enough malt to positively impact the taste and provide a more than adequate mouthfeel. There's even some nice glass lacing to stare at, as its goodness is contemplated.

 

 

 

 

 

12 oz can

cloudy yellow golden color, white head. huge citrusy aroma. similar taste, moderate bitterness. thin to medium bodied. seems like halfway to a NEIPA

 

12 oz can poured into IPA glass

Pours really clear, a nice golden hue. Nothing hazy about it looks wise!
Smell: Lime hit me right away. Definitely not what I expected. Certainly not unpleasant, just unusual.
Taste/Feel: Count me in as a fan. Taste is less citrusy than the nose. A nice hoppy bitterness on the follow.
I am very confused as far as what constitutes a hazy these days.... but I like this beer no matter how it is classified.

This would be a GREAT Summer beer now that I think about it. Will have to leave myself a note to get some in 6 months.

little too much citrus, acidity for me in a NEIPA, prefer more of a pillowy hazy and this is not in that profile. if you like s little more pop in your NEIPA, this may work.

 

 

 

Yards Brewing Co. "Bit Viper"
12 fl. oz. can coded "0202623 1240 05:01" and sampled on 28 May 2023
$2 @ Weis, Conschohocken, PA

Notes via stream of consciousness: This is a "HAZY CITRUSSSSS IPA"; how cute is that given the name Bit Viper? It's 6.5% ABV but there's no other information about it on the label. The aroma is unusual. It's tropical and citrusy but there's also an almost minty kind of note to it. It's interesting and compelling but I can't just smell it all day, can I? The taste follows and the mint remains but it doesn't pop like it does in the aroma, at least for me, and perhaps that's because there's more going on. When we talk about tropical fruit we're obviously talking about citrus as well, but for right now consider tropical fruit to not include any citrus. We're talking about things like passionfruit, guava, melon, peach, dragon fruit, lychee, rambutan, banana, coconut, pineapple, papaya, mango, mangosteen, and melon. I find it mainly tropical and a bit citrusy, but also almost equally minty, cedar-like, herbal, and grassy. The malt is basic and sweetish, and supports the hops well. Specific fruity notes that stand out include passionfruit, lychee, orange, mango, lemon, and papaya but it finishes dry with the mint, cedar, grassiness, herbs, some pine, and a touch of mineral lingering. In the mouth it's medium bodied, silky smooth from all of the extra protein in the malt bill, and gently crisp. The head has held up quite well and the lacing was decent but not great. Overall it's a well put together beer but what makes it shine is its unique hop character, and that make it worth trying.
Review #8,636