Roca Jack Cold IPA
Western Collective

no wonder i am a little buzzed! this is stonger than i would have thought for such a thing, a lager type i believe, real nicely hopped, but maybe not getting the best of these varietals out of their dry hopping, its a touch dumbed down to me, but the freshness is awesome, the lack of bitterness a cool surprise in the style, the clarity on point, and its capacity to handle big flavored food like cured meats and bbq really was high, so i am inclined to rank this among the best of the current western collective offerings, they have really turned a corner in quality of late, no doubt about it. apparently done with a bunch of southern hemisphere hops, i get more west coast oily characteristics than i do things like stone fruit and white wine grapes, but its all there, mango and apricot late, but more than the hops i am stoked on the ferment, its clean, dry, and brisk to drink, goes down fast and refreshing, even palate cleansing for something this strong and hop forward, definitely dangerous, and overall a downright impressive and distinctive take on the style, i think they nailed it, and i hope they keep this in their everyday lineup, it belongs. nobody is doing anything like this locally, bravo!

 

16oz can from Brewers Haven. Medium, clear golden, one finger head. Aroma is an old school pastiche of woody hops and malts. Malts not very prominent in the taste, just a smooth, consistent hoppy bitterness. Very smooth with an almost creamy mouthfeel.

Taster at the brewery. Pours clear pale gold with minimal head. Light aromatics honestly, mild hoppiness and malt backbone; clean, with hints of piney and resiny characteristics, but not quite West Coast in its essence, more clean than bitter. Subdued fruitiness, with a mild sweetness on the finish so that it doesn't finish with much dryness.