Hazy But Lazy
Mirror Twin Brewing

single can from Trader Joe's

 

 

 

I tried this beer off the tapper as part of a five sample flight at the brewery whilst in Lexington with the Old Oswego Crew for our annual beer trip. This was a very good hazy ipa with juicy citrus fruit scent and taste.

 

 

 

 

Mirror Twin was not lazy on this creation. Cloudy as can be. Head is white with lots of lacing. Nose is hoppy and juicy as is the taste. Not as citrusy as I expected. Great beer b

 

 

As the haze craze sweeps across the nations hopscape, it takes a pit stop in Lexington's Mirror Twin brewery. Inspired by the New England IPA, the team grab some of the choicest hops and foggy grains for a beer with the juicy fruit impressions, smooth bitterness and the succulent tang that has hop heads crawling like feline to catnip.

Hazy But Lazy pours with the turbid appearance, not unlike mashed potatoes. Lightly golden but turbid, the ale patiently releases an eggshell, creamy froth that's laden with a host of citrus, tropical and an botanical perfumes. Nearly mouth watering with its mere scent, its floral twang leads to a honey rich, pastry and doughy sweet maltiness as the ale rolls onto the early palate.

But then the ale simply blossoms on the middle palate as its malt influence begins to drift and the hop aromas turn juicy, flavorful and radiant. White grapefruit, lemon, and orange all carry a branch ripe character with the simple sweetness that's associated with fructose. Tropical flavors join the symphony with pineapple, passionfruit and kiwi. A melon-like plumpness adds a kiss of honeydew before the ale closes with a smoothly bitter taste of fresh cut grasses, chive and geranium.

Creamy, medium bodied and trending dryish, the IPA does a great job of celebrating hoppiness without being particularly polarizing with bitterness. Its smooth finish makes its less than dryness forgivible despite having a slight watering effect and a hint of thinness going from the middle palate into finish. Its long and herbal aftertaste is moderately bitter with tropical fruit peels and a suggestion of hemp.

The first hazy NEIPA to be produced in Lexington, HBL hits all the right notes. Super hazy and bright, it has a soft mouthfeel and a flavor that straddles the line between grapefruit and citra juice. Can't wait to see what follows.