Spring Chicken
Blech.Brut

 

Pours a hazy, deep orange coloration with a medium, fluffy head. Smells of light biscuity malt and tropical/citrus hops, with notes of passion fruit and orange as well some woody accents and just a hint of vanilla and coconut. Taste is a great balance of light biscuity malt and fruity, juicy, slightly floral and spicy hops, with tropical and citrus notes of passion fruit, papaya, guava, slight coconut and orange, as well as hints of potpourri and vanilla. Finishes with a very light bitterness and some passion fruit, orange and hints of vanilla and potpourri lingering in the aftertaste. Soft mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

This has got a really unique flavor profile to it, probably largely due to the HBC 520 hops, that seemed really odd to me at first, but grew on me as I kept drinking this. There are familiar notes of sweet tropical fruits, which are actually pretty distinct here, lighter citrus notes and then these certain vanilla and potpourri accents and while the latter kinda reminds me of Talus, but less intense, the vanilla is certainly a new one and makes me wonder if this variety was bred specifically with NEIPAs in mind. Still not quite sure what to make of this, it certainly quite interesting and pretty enjoyable as well, just a little odd. Still, I predict a bright future for HBC 520 hops with the current trends in craft beer.