Breakfast? Fruit Loop Milkshake IPA
MERIT Brewing Co

 

16 oz on tap at MERIT Brewing in downtown Hamilton, Ontario with a very tasty Falafel dog. Pours a very hazy golden - slightly milky. Sweet but hoppy fruity aroma hits immediately. Taste follows fruity and sweet with very nice hop, minimal bitterness - grapefruit/pineapple and slightly piney. Not sure I taste the 60 lbs of Fruit Loops per barrel, but may account for the sweetness. May have been the day or the company (or the great dog) but I loved this beer (unfortunately bottle shop sold out so I didn't get to take one home).

One year later September 1/18 back in Hamilton and back to brewery - this beer back on tap and still delicious - plus I got a bottle to go back to Edmonton this time!

500ml bottle purchased from the brewery on Milkshake Day, August 19 2017.

L: Pours a hazy, ruby grapefruit colour that I actually think looks awesome. I wouldn't be surprised if the dyes from the fruit loops had some influence on this deep colour. Very little head which unfortunately dissipates almost immediately.

S: The lactose sweetness dominates, reminds me of freshly baked pie crust with a bit of marshmallow. A bit of fruitiness in there as well and a mild hop presence.

T: Tastes like a New England style IPA but with that lovely lactose sweetness. I get the typical grapefruit, lemon and melon flavours but also a bit of pineapple which I'm guessing the fruit loops are helping bring out from the hops. The fruit loops themselves aren't as present as I thought they'd be, I get a bit of cereal sweetness in the finish but it might just be placebo.

F: Medium body and mild carbonation. Not really much else to say, leaves a little to be desired.

O: An interesting experiment, I just wish the fruit loops came through a little bit more which would've led to some more interesting tropical fruit flavours I'm sure. I prefer their Weekends for Breakfast Milkshake IPA but since these are the only two Milkshake IPAs I've had I'm very excited to try more beers in this new style.

There's a thickness to the look of its amber orange body. It's ultra hazy. A rocky off-white head rises a few fingers high, leaving a few legs of lace behind.

It's bursting with snappy and bright mango and fruity pebbles. Lots of candied tropical fruit and fleshy pineapple. A marshmallowy pillow of lactose and caramel sweetness sits close by. This really sticks out as the beer starts to warm. The fresh, bright hop aromas take some weight away from its sticky, sweet base.

The split between bright pineapple, mango and candied citrus and sugar-laden milk, caramel, and marshmallow is almost exactly down the middle. Fluffy vanilla and caramel seep into the finish with some well placed resinous, piney greens.

There's a touch of slickness to its body. Medium weight with a below average level of carbonation. This really lets all of the sweet aspects shine. The dank and sweet finish is a real snapshot of the overall profile; a mix between tropical fruit forward hops and lactose derived sweetness.

How many calories does this lady clock in at? Whatever. Another great take on the Milkshake IPA. The balance is bang on and all things sugar-based in here never gets out of hand or overbearing.