Big Bear
Bald Birds Brewing Company

 

The contents of a pint can were emptied entirely into a clear glass liter mug. Even chilled, there was more stark white foam than desirable. The brew is light orange-amber in color and it's hazy. There's a warm bread sweetness and a some dry hoppiness to smell. The taste has some sweetness, but it's more like fruit juice sweet than grainy. Proportionally, there's less of a hop bite on the tongue than there was to the nose. At least it's not too sweet to be unpleasant. The three included hops work nicely together. Since this is a New England style IPA, not a West Coast style IPA, it's probably not fair to complain about how a sharper hop bite might improve things. But, there's little taste transitions from onset to finish and that's a little disappointing. It is smooth and even light to drink, without it seeming too thin. As with all foam makers, this one receded unevenly and unattractively, leaving irregular glass lacing. Overall, it's pleasant, sweet that pushes the limit for an IPA of any sort and wiith just enough hop presence to pass as one.

A fairly mellow NEIPA that seemed to have a strawberry undertone, maybe. Just not my flavor profile, i prefer the grape, grapefruity type hazies. Drinkable yes, enjoyable not so much.

 

I am trying this beer off the tapper at the brewery as part of a four sample flight. It poured a hazy golden with thin white head that is leaving some lace. The scent had subtle bitter citrus fruit notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with bright semi sweet malt base with bitter pineapple and apricot presence. The mouthfeel was medium in body and had good carbonation. Overall it is a great beer.

 

Poured into a grip shaped goblet: color is gold, murky/hazy, head is off white and presents 1 finger thick, head lingers with frothy top and some lacing; docked points as this is advertised as IPA but is clearly a hazy.

Smell is subdued tropical notes, mixed berry, light citrus, pith, oat/wheat fullness.

Taste is similar with tropical mixed berry citrus oat/wheat malt mix.

Mouthfeel is full sweet, lower carbonation, moderate bitterness.

Overall I think this aged a bit past peak freshness, but still willing to try more from bald birds.