Shell Game
Mirage Beer Company

Bought at Beer Star in Seattle, WA. ~4 or 5$ for a 16oz can. "Live Die IPA Keep Going" printed above canning date 07/15/22, consumed 09/28/22. I have not been able to verify this, but I was told by the women running the curation of their beer selection, that this company only does 1 offs. Neat label. Poured into a 16oz pint glass.

A&S: Hazy, pineapple-colored beer. Lots of carbonation bubbles when poured. The head on this beer is excellent, it really hangs around. 1 finger of bright white head when poured. Lacing is left on the glass but it clings and falls back. Citrus (lemons, some mandarin) dominates the aroma. I get a little sweet, caramel malts as well.

T&M: Mangos and pine upfront. I am getting lime and grassy tastes towards the finish. The taste overall is very tropical. Still has a bit of a bitter punch in the finish for a NE-style IPA. Very drinkable for 6.9%. For as much carbonation as there was the mouthfeel doesn't reflex it. On the light side of medium, and on the high side of medium carbonation-wise.

Overall: Big fan! Hope I get to try more of their products in the future.

 

No canning date (released on 7/15/22, so presumably canned within a few days of that date); consumed on 8/10/22

Pours an opaque, dark gold body topped with a finger and a half of creamy, slightly off-white foam; decent head retention leaves a vague, paper-thin cap, thin, frothy collar, and curtains of soapy, webby lacing spattered across the walls of the glass.

Aroma opens to shades of dank mango underscored with flaky malt; a tinge of lime seltzer invigorates vivid mandarin zest, while the back end of the bouquet softens to distantly musty sunflower and mossy hop subtleties.

Taste profile is lime-forward with floral undertones and a perky citrus zest expanding across the mid-palate alongside a subtle, flaky malt foundation; distant tones of must on the back end lead to a grassy finish.

Mouthfeel shows a medium-light body and moderate carbonation, dispersing a creamy texture into a pillowy prickle through the mid-palate, leaving wisps of glossy resins sporting a subdued hop twang into pseudo-bitterness lingering on the finish.

A straightforward expression of zesty hops cleverly disguises sweeter, dank undertones in airy, citric refreshment; subtle all-around and largely one-note in profile, but entirely easy-drinking and quenching.