All Bark, No Bite
Ludlam Island Brewery

Pint pour on draught at the brewery. It pours a cloudy, dirty tangerine color with almost no head and minimal lacing. A rather disappointing appearance. The smell offers lemon, lime, grapefruit, peach, and a slight whiff of earthy wood that I assume comes from the birch bark. The taste opens with lots of dry rye and Munich malt balanced by the fruitiness of lemon, lime, and pineapple from the Vic Secret hops. It's tangy and sticky. The earthy, herbal, woody taste beneath is what makes it unique. The combination of the Idaho 7 hops and the birch bark elevates a fairly standard IPA and makes it unique. There is a clean bitterness throughout and a good depth of flavor. The mouth feel is lite and crisp with appropriate carbonation and despite the 7% ABV it is a crushable ale. Overall, No Bark No Bite is adventuresome and fun to drink. I'm glad that Ludlam has the confidence to brew it.