Inspirational IPA
Sobel's Obscure Brewery

 

 

What would you do if you had a less-than-stellar beer from a new, rather obscure contract brewer? If you are me, you would reach for another bottled beer from them since a) it gives them another chance & b) it is another one towards the eradication of the Bottle Backlog here at Chez Woody!

From the Bottle: "Get Your Gnome On!"; "This smooth, not over the top India Pale Ale had a perfect blend of hops, to give you a full bottled beer with an enticing aroma. You will find the beer crisp and refreshing!"

I Pop!ped the cap & began a C-line pour that produced just under two fingers of dense, foamy, rocky, eggshell-white had with reasonable retention. It slowly fell away, leaving behind some nice sticky lacing. Color was Golden-Amber (SRM = > 5, < 7) with NE-quality clarity, prompting an impromptu visit from The Gelt Gang of Croesus, Mammon & Midas, all clamoring for a taste. Nose was odd, evincing a grapefruit citrusiness along with a biscuit maltiness. I would definitely recognize it as an AIPA, but it smelled somehow off. Mouthfeel was medium. The taste was kind of light, almost like a session AIPA, with a faint bitterness and a light maltiness. I still got the grapefruit-biscuitiness in the flavor as I did on the nose, but it was like the whole thing was on "Mute". Finish was semi-dry, refreshing, but lacking Ooomph! either in terms of bitterness or general flavor. I find this whole setup to be kinda dubious.

 

Appearance light golden clear with a minimal white head
Aroma light citrus with a stronger biscuit back ground
Taste lemon and grapefruit with a strong biscut finish
Mouth feel is light to medium with a sprity (highly carbonated)
Overall an ok beer. Not a great beer.