The Best Of The West - Harland
Western Collective

 

another tasty beer in this series, somewhat unexpected partner for them given all the distributor movement, but my guess is this might have happened before the recent changes. i like the beer pretty well though, cant believe how light it is, almost feels and drinks like a pale, minimal as can be in terms of color, body, and malt flavor, so really its all about the hops, although i didnt find this out of balance in the least, low bitterness was a smart call, the phantasm powder makes the hops pop, definite peach and apricot and guava juiciness and ripeness in nose and taste, clean lemon and clementine too, white wine, cold green grapes, zesty key lime, tropical but dry, which seems like an oddly rare combination in hoppy beer, but it makes this for me. melon as it warms, sweet navel orange, tangelo, even some coconut, but its light and crisp even, fast finishing, not even oily or sticky from the hop oils, maybe some cryo hops in here cranking intensity but not impacting mouthfeel as much. not green of vegetal, and actually kind of delicate in some ways, the light body and high carbonation is just right for summer and for these fruity hops. well planned and well executed, this series has been most excellent!

16oz can from Brewers Haven. Golden pour, cloudy, thin foamy white head. Immediate aroma upon opening the can, fruity, melon, tropical. Taste is tropical, some citrus crops up, mild dank notes, sweet. Very flavorful and sticky.