And Now, This
Ex Novo Brewing

16oz Can

I would say "Phil is the man!" but he's really a woman. So...thanks, Phil! Ex Novo & Trap Door Brewing got together for this little ditty. It's of the hazy variety but pretty. It's not liquid cardboard. It's pineapple juice with orange juice floated on top that glows. The foam is tight knit, pure white small bubbles and has remarkable staying power for the style. The foam eventually fades to a swirl and ring but it leaves behind some patchy lace in its wake.

The nose is pungent, kicking off with large amounts of herbal greenness. This is quickly met with fistfuls of squeezed tropical fruits: ripe pineapple, underripe mango. Sugary citrus pops up farther toward the backend and then a spicy kick than borders between herbal and dank. There's some crackery maltiness along with the soft sugar cookie sweetness. This is smellin' mighty fine.

The flavor is pickin' up what the nose was layin' down. It's not quite as green as the nose suggested but it's spicy from front to back with a little give in the middle allowing a big dose of that pineapple & mango juice to come forward. The backend brings back the spice and a pretty stellar dankness that hits you up there by the ears where it makes you salivate. Soft, sugared grapefruit and orange pop up here and there in what seems like different positions on each drink. A peppery booziness compliments the initial spiciness. The complimentary malt base is cookie dough...and then sugar cookies. This is complex.

I'm digging the body on this one. It's moderate in weight and incredibly soft, pillowy. The swallow leaves behind a nice sturdy bitterness while the finish dries up immediately. The plushness of the body combined with the bitter and dry make for an incredibly easy drinking beverage. A dangerously easy drinking beverage.

This is my first from either Ex Novo or Trap Door and they did a great job. It's not your typical "juice bomb". It's got some character, some complexity, and a welcomed bitterness and dry finish. I would certainly drink more of this. Thanks, Phil!

And Now This... For the style, it's absolutely beautiful. A glowing yellow with the lightest shade of orange drizzled in. Mostly opaque, but a beautiful translucence shimmers at the base of the glass. The whipped egg white head is massive, creamy, foamy, and sticky as hell.

A lovely pungency of aromas with everything you could ask for. Tropical fruit juices, acidic citrus, and pine. I know it sounds stupid, but I even smell a bit of a freezer burn to it. Like when you used to stick your head in the open freezer vents at the grocery store. You know what I mean. Perhaps not. That would actually explain a lot.

Ex Novo nailed it this time. A smooth and creamy smoothie of flavors. Mango starts and finishes it, like fresh and fleshy pulp. Touches of orange, pear, and plain old Greek yogurt come in between, and I only the faintest suggestion of pine squeeks itself in on the long run.

Definitely creamy and smooth, full bodied as well, but there is a nice tingly carbonation and bitterness to it that bring a touch of balance. The alcohol warmth is somewhat apparent throughout, but not bad.

So far, I'd say this is my favorite of these can released from Ex Novo. They have managed to keep a good balance between styles, and this one pushes the flavors yet again. Cheers.