The Five Stages of Grief (Bargaining)
Atwood Farm Brewery

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a medium golden amber with coppery notes and a quarter finger white head with good retention and light lacing. Arom a of caramel malt, light grassy hops, honey, thyme and a touch of buttery diacetyl. Flavor is caramel malt, mild grassy hops and thyme. Dried summer herb finish with light to moderate bitterness. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. Thyme is an flavorful herb that is an interesting choice for a IPA. The malt body as well as the modest bitterness actually made this taste much more like an Amber ale than an IPA, but the herbal bitterness of the thyme boosted the bitterness in the finish. Although there was a distinct aroma of butter in the nose, there was none detectable in the deep caramel flavor of malt. The thyme carries this one; it would be a satisfactory, but not distinct, amber ale, but the thyme adds herbal flavor and bitterness that moves it closer to IPA territory. Took a few sips to appreciate it, but the thyme is handled well and is the first opportunity (I used "time" at first there, but it sounded odd) I've had to taste it in this style instead of a farmhouse ale. Atwood isn't afraid to push boundaries and this is a interesting one that may be a unique opportunity to try. I'd get this again if it was offered.