Southern Isles Tropical IPA
Georgia Beer Co.

Picked this up at the Rocket Georgetown Convenience Store when I was down in Georgetown, Georgia not too long ago. Never had anything from Georgia Beer before and this wasn't a bad introduction to them, as it was a serviceable IPA that checked off all of the proverbial boxes.

This had a clear, copper hue to it as it was topped off with more than enough foam. The lacing was minimally spotty as it slid down the side of my pint glass after every sip. Lots of caramel, earthy hops, papaya, and deep citrus in the understated nose as the taste was a bit more balanced. That had to be because of the wheat as it helped to cut the sharpness and also rounded out the body. Softly slick and, the Lemon Drop became apparent in the back as there was a tang in the aftertaste that was a bit heavy, but somehow alluring at the same time.

Looks like this was canned on 10/23 of last year, as the writing on the bottom of the can was nearly illegible. This was sufficient as an IPA and reminiscent of left coast brews, but was more of a lawnmower beer than anything else in the end. Worth a go as something to relax with anytime...

 

 

Appearance: Clear, light amber. Fluffy white head with good retention. Fast rising bubbles.

Aroma: Citrus & tropical fruit aroma. Hint of bread.

Flavor & Aftertaste: Citrus & tropical fruit notes. Moderate bitterness. Medium sweetness

Mouth-feel: Medium bodied. Moderate astringency. Soft with medium length finish. Bitterness is present; but not to offensive. Low palate carbonation.

Overall: This is a well crafted American IPA, something you don't see often right now in the era of Hazy IPA. It's balanced, presents citrus and tropical fruit forward. There is a very nice malt backbone that provides the balance most IPA's don't. Citra, Azacca, and Lemon Drop hops. 2 Row barley, wheat and Munich malt compose the grain bill. It's subtle and refreshing, yet reminds you it's still an IPA. Well executed Georgia Beer Co.!

12 ounce can - $2.79 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a lightly hazed, bronzed, light golden-orange body with a smallish, thinning, white head.

Smell: Bready barley with a sliver of toastiness. Citrus peelings, a mild backing of tropical fruitiness. Spicy herbaceousness (Lipton's), mild wafting pine.

Taste: Bread given just a gentle bit of toasted-up-ness. Very slim hint of caramel. Tangerine, lemon citrus qualities with additional tropical, resiny pine and spicy tones. Pulls up an herbal hint of brewed black tea on the back half. Its bitterness feels pretty mild, leaving that initial breadiness and tones of caramel to flow back into the mix. Finishes semi-dry, fairly smooth.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Overall: Southern Isles has a decent contemporary hop mix without going for the totally overdone, completely unimaginative one-two hit of Citra-Mosaic. Though still sensibly light, it had a pleasing, congenial maltiness present. It is my second GBC beer and I've found both to be fairly well done.

Nice southern IPA (seems like this is becoming its own category. Pored on tap at Tifton GA Rhythm and Ribs festival at the Pub’s (Tifton) booth, into a plastic pint beer cup. L: burnt orange with a slight haze. Really nice 1/2 inch white head. S: citrus, hop, and biscuit. T: follows nose. Citrus and hops upfront and slid malt base. F: medium bodied nice carbonation. O: really solid IPA.

A: Slightly hazy copper color, 1/2 inch white head, really good lacing
S: Tropical fruits
T: Hops right up front, really good tropical flavors, nice malt presence comes in to compliment hops. The malt presence should not be overlooked in this one.
M: Medium
O: A really nice representation of the a tropical IPA. Like I mentioned, the tropcial fruity hops are the main player but the malt balance pairs nicely.