Sweet Jane Key Lime
Fat Orange Cat Brew Co.

 

The use of lactose is spot on. Key lime isn’t my ideal compliment to it, which is the only reason this is not a five.

 

 

 

 

Rich, creamy, fruity, with nice green citrus, banana, fresh cream, & round tropical, dank, earthy/fruity dry-hop notes. Vanilla from top to bottom, but complexed by hops & fruit (in that order).

 

 

 

 

Becoming masters at the milkshake IPA, the Fat Orange Cat brewers take their imperial hazy IPA and inject it with the tropical flavors of key lime and vanilla for an exotic and tangy complement to the bitter, aromatic and juicy flavors already present in Sweet Jane.

A matte finish of goldenrod hues cast pastel opaque appearance on the glass before a frothy pillow of foam rises. Also rising are the aromas of limes as the strong citrus scent becomes far bolder than the other citrus, tropical and orchard fruit underneath. Sweet and bready on the early palate the tastebuds register a crisper graham cracker, cereal and pastry taste than is usual for these lush IPA.

Then as the flavors unfold on the middle palate, the hops flood the tongue with pineapple, passionfruit, orange, grapefruit, nectarine and cantaloup fruits that align on the tastebuds like a fruit cocktail. Then the overtones of lime bring the taste of key lime pie to the late palate, albeit a bitter, herbal and grassy one.

Medium full in body, the beer's stronger bitterness is both a welcome as an IPA lover and then a distraction from the tangy sweetness that key lime pies normally exhibit. Trailing into a hemp, chive and green tea fueled finish, its bitterness is long, drying and fulfilling in an imperial IPA type of way.

 

 

This one pours a milky darker golden color. There was a minimal head and lacing. Good nose. Key lime juice, with other citrus and tropical notes. The taste is good. A juicy IPA. Key lime flavor on top, but not overdone. Other citrus and tropical flavors. Nice!

 

16 ounce can into tulip glass; no can dating, but was just released. Pours very hazy deep golden amber/light orange color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and fluffy off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Thick foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation. fantastic appearance. Aromas of big juicy, lightly tart/tangy key limes, citrus peel/zest, mandarin orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, guava, blueberry, gooseberry, light peppercorn/pine, vanilla, cream, graham cracker, wheat, white bread dough, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of key limes, citrus/fruity/tropical hops, vanilla, lactose, and bready malt notes; with big strength. Taste of huge juicy, lightly tart/tangy key limes, citrus peel/zest, mandarin orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, guava, blueberry, gooseberry, light peppercorn/pine, vanilla, cream, graham cracker, wheat, white bread dough, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness. Mild pine, citrus peel/zest, herbal, floral, grassy, spicy bitterness; and lime tang/tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of tart/tangy key limes, citrus peel/zest, mandarin orange juice, red grapefruit, lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit, papaya, mango, honeydew melon, guava, blueberry, gooseberry, light peppercorn/pine, vanilla, cream, graham cracker, wheat, white bread dough, light honey, and herbal/floral/grassy earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of key limes, citrus/fruity/tropical hops, vanilla, lactose, and bready malt flavors; with a nice malt/bitterness, and tart/tangy fruit balance; with no cloying/astringent flavors after the finish. Lightly increasing dryness from lingering bitterness and tart/tangy fruit. Medium carbonation and medium-plus body; with a very smooth, creamy/silky/bready, and lightly sticky/acidic/tangy mouthfeel that is fantastic. Minimal warming alcohol for 7.2%. Overall this is an incredible fruited milkshake NEIPA! All around fantastic complexity, robustness, and balance of key limes, citrus/fruity/tropical hops, vanilla, lactose, and bready malt flavors; very smooth and easy to drink for the ABV, with the mildly bitter/tart/tangy/drying finish; fantastically soft feel. Feels like Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy. Extremely juicy/vibrant key limes/hops, with light dankness; and a perfectly balanced lactose, and wheat/oat/malt backbone. Light residual sweetness with lingering dryness. A highly enjoyable offering, and amazing style example. Best one of the series so far.