Sneak Technique
E9 Brewing Co.

first new one ive seen from these guys show up in idaho in far too long, the stream was steady for awhile, but has really slowed, had to order it when i saw it. it might not be at peak freshness, but i like it anyway, these guys always do good stuff. this has hbc 586 lupomax in it, which i thought got the name of krush before it ever had a lupomax product, but what do i know, there is simcoe in this too, strata, a great mix, but also a little more malt than i think it needs, not the lightest beer, not sweet but there is grain body there, color and toasted heartiness, balanced sure, and with the low bitterness is almost hits like a pale, the cereal grain almost masking some of the outrageous juiciness the hop complexion wants to push, enjoyable of course, but a lighter malt base might let these hops pop a bit more, not complaining. orange toned and not hazy but also a little off from full clarity, average to even short lived white head on it. aroma here is similar to the flavor, honey and granola and light toast to the malt, biscuity and enriched to me, more of that as it warms, off dry, not quite english, but proportionally perhaps, the hops still drive this despite my commentary about some maltiness, lemon and lemon candy, herbal and floral bitterness, peony, daffodil, but also assertive and punchy, white sangria, ripe melon, maybe coconut in the strata, all in a rather oily and long on the palate package, an imperial pint of this felt like a little more than i needed, especially with heavier cuisine, but the hop combination is undeniable and an ipa with a little grain structure in the dead of winter is never a bad thing. happy to have new stuff from these guys coming through, i remain among their biggest fans!

Pint consumed at Nectar, in Kendall Yards, Spokane, WA. Here's E9's description:
"Check the Technique! We got a Camo Rambo Bangin IPA for you. We hit this hard with the"Sneak Technique" with a double dry hop of HBC-586 Lupomax, Strata, and our favorite batch of Simcoe Hops. Expect some Intense Sneaky Aromas of Guava, Lychee, and Fruit Salad from the HBC-586 Lupomax. Then the Strata and Simcoe will lend aromas of pungent Tangerine, wisp of spring Strawberries, and Piney Pithy Cannabis Grapefruit. Brewed with a Full Body of Pilsner, Wheat and Flaked Oats.
Get a little Sneaky, Take A Peaky, and Check the Sneak Technique! "I've Always Believed that the Mind is the Best Weapon." -Rambo
We see you in that CAMOUFLAGE. NO NETBANGERS! GET SOME! Ummppph!"
Not sure wtf is up with the Rambo shit, but, whatevs.

Served in a nonic pint glass, this was a clear, golden amber color. Decent sized off-white head. Nice lace.

Tropical fruity hop aroma, but more restrained than the corporate write-up would lead one to expect.

Taste is juicy, and a bit more bold than in the nose, but not hugely so. There's a bit of guava and lychee like they say, but it's at a fairly mild level. Moderate level of bitterness on the back end, fairly mild by, say, a WCIPA's standards, but a little higher than what you'd get if it were a hazy.

Medium bodied, with a light, resiny mouthfeel.

It's okay. Decent but not really my jam. If someone wants and IPA but dislikes both WCIPAs AND hazies, I suppose this could work.