Hop Tart
Mirror Twin Brewing

Introduced during their third anniversary celebration, the Mirror Twin brewery ties together the styles of fruit beer, New England-styled IPA and sour ale. Backed with generous additions of guava and an exotic twang of a beer is to be expected.

Turbid gold and entrapped in a pastel matte finish, Hop Tart pulls in the nose with a tantalizing perfume of musty, tart tropical fruit, bold citrus, herbal greenness and with a hint of wine. But as the malts hit the tongue, there's a supple creaminess that's fueled by cereal, pastry and taffy hiding underneath the sourness and hops.

Yet as those flavors erupt on the middle palate, the malt influence is relegated to a supporting role as the fruits of guava lead the charge. A strong white grapefruit flavor rises as the hops mingle with the sourness while the juice box medley of lime, gooseberry, cider, white wine and passionfruit begin to take things in a sangria direction. Asserting a bitter and sour interplay on the late palate, a presence of herbal green tea, gin-like botanicals and mulled chive decorate the beer's finish.

Medium light for IPA but more medium for sour ale, the yin and yang of flavors keep the palate guessing as a long linger of grapefruit comes through much stronger than the singled-out guava. As a suitable cure for scurvy, its clear that this Hop Tart isn't just for breakfast anymore.