Spuds McTwinsie
Mirror Twin Brewing

Just like their name suggests, the Mirror Twin brewing team is all about things that are the same, but opposite. And with the counter to their Hazy But Lazy New England styled IPA, the same recipe employs the use of Idaho 7 hops for an identical taste, only different.

Pale gold and cast with a moderate veil of haze, the mostly frothy ale catches the sense of smell with bold citrus, tropical and sprucy aromatics that's as sharp as it is succulent. Its mild and malty taste hits the tongue with light caramel, honey and a hint of angel food cake.

As the sweetness drops out, the signature fruit flavors begin to rise. Citrusy with a burst of red grapefruit, freshly zested orange and a kiss of lemon as the middle palate comes alive. A richer and tangier fruit flavor comes way of tropical pineapple, mango and papaya before diving into a crisp, clean and bitter finish with a spicy edge of torn pine needles, fresh grass clippings and a peppery twinge of currant or black tea.

Medium bodied and quickly turning dry, the beer falls slightly mellow and risks flatness on the finish. Its dry and dullish texture highlights a few rougher spurs of the hops and leads to a slight hop derived astringency and an herbal tannic bite to close. But the ale lingers medium long on the after palate with a sharp but fleeting bitterness.