Wander
Ludlam Island Brewery

Pint pour on draught at the brewery. Served in a shaker glass. It's hazy and apricot-orange in color with a thin, ecru ring around the edge of the glass and modest lacing. I suspect a can pour would have a better appearance. The smell features lemon, grapefruit, and faint honey. Interestingly, I'm not smelling the spruce tips. However, the spruce dominates the initial taste and provides a clean, resinous bitterness throughout. As the ale warms a bit, I notice the soft, balancing honey sweetness, and tart citrus deep in the background. The mouth feel is lite and fairly crisp and it is very drinkable at 6.5% ABV. Overall, Wander is not your typical, hazy American IPA. The use of spruce tips is a proxy for bittering hops and the honey provides a tasty balance. This is a fun recipe, well-executed.