Hop Tub Time Machine
Mirror Twin Brewing

The push to take IPA in a fruitier, juicier, hazier direction leaves a lot of holes in the variety of beer on the shelves and on tap. But a welcomed array of flavors may be found in the old. Bitter, dry, crisp and piney, Mirror Twin is showing that bitter beer ain't dead.

Glowing brightly gold and shedding a mild haze, Hop Tub Time Machine celebrates a classic citrus and pine aroma with the aid of traditional Cascade and Centennial hops. As the frothy ale relaxes, the early flavor impressions of light bread, honeysuckle and faint graham cracker play out with a soft malty backbone.

But the story changes quickly as the malts give way to the fruit accented hops. the brightness of mandarin orange, pink grapefruit and a hint of pineapple billow with a fruitier impression than is often thought for more west-coast styled ale. Developing into a resinous pine character in its later taste, the beer makes quick work of its flavor array by finishing cleanly bitter and with hints of fresh grassiness and green spice to close.

Medium bodied but certainly lighter compared to contemporary hazier IPA,, the brewery's West Coast IPA is a welcomed beer of refreshment and crispness to complement their portfolio, finishing briskly bitter and with a long and gripping aftertaste of torn pine needle and citrus peels.