Passionfruit Habanero Hammer
Woodburn Brewing

With the hop forward character of IPA but the strength of pale ale, the Woodburn brewers take notice of two culinary arts that seem to belong together- chili pepper and tropical fruit. Their passionfruit and habanero infused session IPA is light and dry enough to hammer a few, but spicy enough to suggest that you shouldn't.

Canary yellow and with a hazy brightness, Passionfruit Habanero Session Hammer carries an appetizing appearance while the nose is rife with those bold passionfruit additions along with a more moderate array of tropical fruit, citrus and grassy herbs. Light sweetness grazes the tongue with mild honey, fructose and a cracker-like maltiness.

Any malt influence relaxes to a supporting role for the fruit, hops and peppers as the sweetness trails and the dry taste of passionfruit is joined quickly by orange peel, pink grapefruit and a hint of lime. Light mango and pineapple add to the tropical complement before the bitterness comes with a light grassy, chivy, and overall tea-like taste.

Medium light in body, the ale does offer more texture than is normal for session ale, the its late charge of peppers simmer with a moderate level of capsaicin in the throat. Where lightly vegetal on the nose and early palate, the finish is spicy, warm and refreshing- ideal for Thai foods like curried shrimp or chicken pad thai.