Smaug Alert
Rock House Brewing

Taking the hoppy to the fruity side, the brewers at Rock House put their popular New England styled IPA, Fuzzbox" under the knife, or at least under the dragon. The full deployment of dragonfruit, lactose and vanilla transforms this IPA into something more tropical.

Hazy, rusty and soft maroon in color, the appearance of the dragonfruit is apparent to the eye. A short statured froth precedes a fruity scent of light berry, red berry, citrus and tropical fruit along with a soft herbal medley. Its malty taste is simply sweet with light and sweet pastry dough and an overall candied fruit rollup impression to start.

Then as the hops and fruit seep into the tastebuds, the middle palate carries an extra zip of cranberry and juniper berry upon the already papaya, mango, pink grapefruit and orange medley of the base beer. A taste of sweet cream keeps the fruits and hops savory and soft while the sharper hops strive for a balance of chive, spruce and tea.

Medium bodied but trending lighter, the fruit additions add a supple sweetness but more of a tangy taste that keeps the finish crisp, clean and refreshing. A hint of sangria comes in late as the ale trails into a medium long finish of pepper, mint and berry skins.