Aromasphere
Variant Brewing Company

 

Poured from a crowler dated 8/25 into a mason jar with 2 fingers of rocky head that dallies and recedes to form a concave relationship between the center and rim of the glass. Color is that of lemonade with just a splash of iced tea as tight carbonation floats upward along the hazy edges. Aroma comes off strong at first then dies down, but notes of apricot, white peach and a touch of pine linger. Clean, light-medium body gives way to bitter, dry, somewhat resiny finish. At 7.5% this is on the higher end of single IPAs, yet Aromasphere feels nimble and sprightly on the palette. This is an IPA's IPA: clean, refreshing, and bitter. I'm not wholly enamored with the title of this beer. It's not that Aromasphere has an unpleasant aroma, it's just not a standout trait. Particularly in the age of juicy, hazy IPAs, to call attention to aroma seems redundant, but also a dangerous gamble if it isn't especially outstanding, and Aromasphere's aroma is merely good, not world class. Such a trite argument is picking nits, so let me end on a high note by saying that this is an enjoyable IPA and I'm a happy customer.