II IPA
Willimantic Brewing Co.

 

 

On tap 10.13.06, served in a 12 oz glass.

A hazy peach in color beneath a creamy off-white head that gingerly fades near the end of the glass. Condensed, ringed lacing left with each sip. Aromas of slightly sour, citric fruit and lots of bubblegum. Creamy, mild hop resins; oily, but toned down for a double IPA. Bubblegum, faint grapefruit, green apple, apricot, and lemon zest. The bitterness is immediate, but lessens as the aftertaste of apricot and bubblegum approach. The mouthfeel can best be described as velvety smooth; nothing gritty or piney here. A very nice double IPA, highlighted by the eye candy and texture. The aromatics and flavor didn't blow my hair back, but I'd be happy having a few more glasses.

Served slightly chilled from a growler. Poured a cloudy dark amber orange, with a short white head with some sticky lace. Smelled of hops and citrus fruits. Tasted of hops, oranges, and how i would imagine pine needles tasting. Nice bitter hoppy finish. Seems to be missing something, but i can't quite put my finger on what. Pretty drinkable brew..

After hearing so much about this new release, which only came out last week, I was in a huge rush to check it out. Oh my God was taken back by how bad this was. WIlli Brew is right up there with any beers I drink and I always measure up to the stuff that David puts out, this time though, would make stop going to Willi if I had not been there many times before. I heard through the grapevine at the bar that David did not brew this one. Color made the beer lok like it was in a dirty test tube. And for a double IPA you would expect some time of hops or citrus smell, absolutly nothing, nothing at all. Even my friend next to me tried choking it down, only to get out to the car and swish and spit out water to get the beer taste out of his mouth. Will I go back to WIlli, of course, but definitly not for this one. However the people next to us loved it, so to each his own, but this is both my and my friends opinion.