Onward
Progression Brewing Company

I just reviewed this brewery's lower-ABV NEIPA, Further, the other night, but saw rather fresh cans of this one for $16 a four pack and decided to just go for it and give it a shot. Sure, Further wasn't exactly one of the best NEIPAs I've had, but I figured I'd live a little and try to give the brewery the benefit of the doubt.

Pours a typical but nice-looking deep golden-yellow color with appropriate (to style) haze that nevertheless doesn't look totally opaque. Thin head that lasts and lasts, leaving behind some nice looking, exuberant lace that coats the entirety of my glass as I sip at it. Swirling the beer around generates some solid legs as well, though it didn't really have any to speak of upon first pour. Good looking beer with a creamy appearance. Solid!

The nose is, at first, slightly diacetyl-inflected, but that seems to go away pretty quickly to my senses, and I'm impressed after about a minute to notice a lot of detail going on here. After breathing an exaggerated sigh of relief, I pick up apricot, tangerine, underripe papaya, kiwi, and passion fruit for sure... tropical and very aromatic, but also with a little balancing act being done that lends some orchard fruit and subtle floral characteristics to the overall aroma. Similar to how I felt with their Further IPA, however, it doesn't seem to quite push anything to the point where I'm overly impressed. I do think this has a better overall nose than Further, but it could just be my personal taste. It pulls in some different directions, but it also seems like it will come across characterful and fun on the palate.

The flavor profile here is supremely enjoyable, honestly. It's at once juicy, embellished with tropical fruit and subtle notes of fresh-cut melon with a helping of rind-like citrus (pomelo/orange) and firmly-rooted, with a solid bitterness toward the end of each sip. I know if you look at my review of this and Further back-to-back, it almost seems like I'm talking about the same beer, but, though they are somewhat similar, this just comes together better overall and has more of a satisfying flavor experience. I'm not sure what hops are used, but it seems like a more symbiotic combination than Simcoe/Columbus, which was used in that other brew. A slight tannic/black tea-like note lends some interesting elements to the finish, as well. Good stuff!

Drinks easy and has a soft, smooth feel that doesn't feel like a beer that's just under 7%... if I had to guess, I'd say this were 6.5% at the absolute highest. Loving the enjoyable and complex flavors here. This brewery might have pretentious names for their beers, but the stuff in the cans so far is pretty enjoyable and worthwhile to my taste buds. Hopefully others try this small brewery out soon!

 

Pours somewhat cloudy pale yellow gold color with a white head that leaves little lacing. Flavor is mango and pineapple but not sticky sweet. Feel is soft with no bitterness, maybe a little watery. Very good, not a typical neipa but a great beer overall.

Poured to a Nonic from a 16oz can stamped "10/15/2019 SO APPALLED". Yea, I was appalled at that date also.
Pours hazy orange mild white head. Smells musty in a good way.
Taste is mango, lemon in front, finishes hoppy.
Mouth is a little thin for the style.
Overall, not bad, but not best in show in this crowded field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pint can dated 7/9/19. Turbid but semi-transparent golden straw color with a little finger of head, moderate streams of carbonation. Smell is faint pineapple with a little citrus. Taste is similar - pineapple, a little grapefruit. Feel is pretty smooth with a slight hops bitterness bite. Overall, this is a good beer, distinguished by going in the pineapple taste and aroma direction more than most NE IPAs.

 

 

Cloudy golden color with a 3F head in a Spielgelau IPA glass.

Banana, vanilla, citrus, peach, and tropical fruit aroma.

Very smooth, creamy MF.

Intense citrus and tropical fruit taste.

Dry, hoppy finish.

Enjoyed this beer. Nice balance of MF, taste, and finish. Better as it warms up.

 

 

 

 

Had this on tap at the brewery. The beer had a murky orange appearance with a thin head. The aromas were rich in ripe orange smells. The taste followed the nose with a bitter orange juice taste. Pretty crisp and well carbonated beer. Overall, I enjoyed the aromas the most.