Bang Kitty
Icarus Brewing Company

Yeah, I'm an Icarus groupie of sorts as I've really come to enjoy their beers as of late. I find them to be one of the better breweries here in the Garden State and this was in line with most of what they've released recently as it was a quality beer that was enjoyable and grew on me as it warmed up.

With that being said, there was a *lot* going on here as this was quite complex underneath the surface and was indeed, as a previous reviewer stated, a cocktail more than a beer. Full-bodied, deep, and packed with lots of different notes, this was a brew that had much to it although it wasn't apparent from the initial pour. That was a hazy apricot with a nicely offsetting head that was fluffy and level, although there was nearly zero lacing that was left behind once I started to make my way through this. Lots of coconut, pineapple, and tangerine cream in the nose although it was the taste where this beer really burst forward. A nice amount of lemongrass and basil gave this a spicy and exotic first impression on me, as if this was Thai, but the lactose and chilis were enough to ensure that this would have at ton of depth and complexity that held my attention to the end. Tangy citrus, Hawaiian Punch, coconut, and a hint of marshmallow stickiness shone once this warmed up as this was a beer that was deeper than most but just as modest at the same time.

Between the exotic fruit flavors, spice from the chili and lemongrass, roasted coconut, and experimental Bru-1 hops, this was a beer that was layered and easily worth getting to know. The heft was an afterthought as I never tasted or felt it and with so much else going on, the booze in this turned out to be nothing more than an afterthought. Dated 7/13 with "THE BETTER OF THE CATS" written above that, this held up wonderfully over the last 2 1/2 months as it tasted like a meal from a Southeast Asian restaurant more than anything else. If that's what you seek, get your hands on this beer and enjoy it for all it's worth and be glad that someone from the Garden State was able to concoct something this unique and understated at the same time.

Looks like oj, tastes like a floral hoppy NEIPA. Feel is excellent and aroma is pleasant hop floral.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**
07/07/2019

Can to snifter, along side some other Icarus brews.

LOOK: Cloudy yellow, decent white head; staying.
AROMA: Spicy basil and lemongrass make this interesting. Lots of citrus and spice.
TASTE: spicy, sweet and sour. Don't really taste the pepper, but feel the heat. Lemongrass, basil mix nice. Get some ginger hints...maybe ust by association of these asian flavors.
FEEL: medium body, ok carbonation. pretty smooth, but the spicy basil/pepper bite makes for a dry finish.

Not my favorite Icarus by a ling shot, but very interesting. A unique beer and worth revisiting if Icarus continues to provide.

**

 

 

Pours a hazy orange with soapy head.

Smell is very cocktaily, with notes of coconut, basil, mango, pineapple and lemongrass.

Taste is juicy and again, more cocktail than beer. Notes of pineapple, coconut, grass and a slight hint of chilies. Moderate bitterness with a bit of sweetness.

Mouthfeel is medium, soft and well carbonated.

Overall, a nice beer that stops just shy of being over the top.