The Cleveland Experiment: Volume 7
Masthead Brewing Co.

Rather light straw, semi-opaque coloring with a decent, foamy white head settling into a film cap and ring of bubbles. Fruity but earthy to the nose - identifiable as a WCIPA. It definitely starts off with more of a tropical (citrus and such) mix but transforms into more grassy lemon over time. Taste is interesting - I like the clean, crisp bitterness. It's lighter in body than one would expect. The solid bitterness, coupled with the peppery, hoppy finish is delightful.

"While this experimental IPA might not send you into different dimensions, the hop character will certainly transport your taste buds through time. Volume 7 of The Cleveland Experiment was brewed with Simcoe, Nectaron, and Centennial hops."

Pours a light straw color with two fingers of bright white head.

I can smell the beer from 2 feet away as I open the can and pour it into the glass. STRAIGHT nectaron on this one. Inviting to say the least.

Medium light body with appropriate carbonation for the style.

Tastes follows the nose, unfortunately, with mostly nectaron. The Simcoe and Centennial are there in the background, but I wish they'd step up a bit. Malt is there too, but, again, mostly in the background and, in my opinion, could be more assertive so as to balance this beer.

Kind of a let down in the taste department. If you want an IPA strength beer that tastes like a pale ale or a session IPA, this is your boy. If you are like me and you want an IPA, but get this session IPA look-a-like, you might be a bit disappointed. Still a solid beer, just a little lacking.

 

An odd one - very nice with a mostly clear straw body and a huge foamy head that provides a moderate amount of lacing. Nose was initially fruity - specifically tangerine, citrus zest, and soft stone fruit. Then I took a taste - much more bitter than expected from the nose. This is not a bad thing, specifically citrus pith - lemon and grapefruit - that is a bit more old school, especially compared with some lemongrass cattiness.

The odd part is that the nose completely changed after taking a sip and fell more in line with the taste, and lost the more new-school fruity aromas I initially noted. Regardless, a medium light feel, pretty bitter and dry, with a light white pepper note before the finish of grass and dry pine needles.