No Mates - Mosaic
Astro Lab Brewing

On tap at brewery:
Pours a lightly bruised peach with a nice fallen whipped egg white head. The tightly bound bubbles cover the surface and form a thick, Belgian lace-producing collar.

A light grain note gets an equally light candied lemon spritz before the hop notes of pineapple and mango rind hit - the latter more evident in a deeper whiff. There’s a light sweetness as well.

Taste is more balanced than expected or hoped for. There is a moderate thickness of a NE IPA, and a malty sweetness that lends to the balance. If this came along with more evident versions of the hop notes from the nose, it’d be better. But the pineapple has gone missing. There’s a soft oat and a bit of rind bitterness, but no fruitiness or juiciness (not that the nose was very juicy, but it was at least noticeable).

This could’ve swung fruity/juicy or rind/bitter and I’d have liked it better.

Poured from the crowler into a Spiegelau IPA glass. Canned December 13th 2018, today.

Slightly turbid, but mostly just an opaque body color of mixed orange and muted yellow. Creamy forming two finger head, with soft retention and good staying power. Leaves a nice solid and creamy touching one finger puck, with rings of lace.

Aroma is solid and hop forward off the crack. Big amounts of tropical pineapple with a juicy earthy hop component. Touch of soft malt body and a hint of icing sugar like sweetness for excellent matching balance.

Palate sticks to a bit more basics. Good mouthfeel but hints a little chalky, with a slight baby aspirin sweetness. Mid palate is a solid booming tropical hop and juicy pineapple flavor. Almost flirts with steely bitterness and minerals also, finishes with a good light bitterness as well.

Pretty solid IPA from these guys, and easy drinking. Mosaic fans will be pretty happy with this one.