Alternate Past
Knotted Root Brewing Company

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: New England IPA
Glass: Wasatch Beers Polygamy Porter 16-oz. shaker pint glass
Price: n/a
From: Beer Advocate’s ucsbmullet
Purchased: n/a; received July 17, 2020
Consumed: July 22, 2020
Misc.: Canned on May 18, 2020

Thanks, Nick!

Got this and a host of other good stuff from Nick. Really liked the first one I had of Knotted Root, giving Monarch Suit a 4.29. Back of the can called this one, “Alternate Past is a Double Dry-Hopped IPA which highlights Enigma, Citra, and Kohatu hops. Tropical, musky notes swarm the palate, transforming into a delicate finish. Think Pinot Gris grape must, red currants, and raspberry.” Not that familiar with Enigma, but looking it up the characteristics were “pinot gris, raspberries, red currant, and light tropical fruit.” Never heard of Kohatu, but looking it up it was descripted as “intense tropical fruit and pine needle aroma.” Would have liked to have this a little fresher, but was still looking forward to it.

Poured a medium yellow hazy color with 2-to-3 fingers of off-white frothy head. Could not see any bubbles underneath the head. Excellent spotty lacing. Excellent retention. (Sight - 4.50)

Pretty much smelled what the description called for. First thing I got was red currants, followed by raspberry, dark fruit, red grape, pine, red grapefruit, mango, peach, stone fruit and pear. With mentioned hops, seemed to be more Enigma than anything else, followed by Citra and Kohatu. More red currants and dark fruit from the can. (Smell - 4.25)

Tasted much better than the smell. In order got red currants, red grape, viney raspberry, red grapefruit, dark fruit, mango, peach, stone fruit, kiwi and pear. For mentioned hops, in order Enigma, Citra and light Kohatu. (Taste - 4.25)

Medium body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Juicy, viney finish. (Feel - 4.25)

Now 2-for-2 on beers from Knotted Root. Was back and forth on three categories, but overall this was world-class. (Overall - 4.50)

4.32 | 96 | A

Pours a fully turbid mango flesh yellow, topped with a finger of loose, airy, stark white head that recedes fairly quickly to a thick bubbly collar and coarse cap, leaving a thick ring of lacing behind. No visible effervescence.

Nose: Right out of the gate, this really reminds me of Tree House. Specifically Haze. Huge aromas of ripe hoppy peach, apricot, and papaya. Total stone fruit bomb. There are some big mango, orange juice, and kumquat notes telling me there's definitely Citra in here, and Galaxy would not surprise me at all. Some chalkiness - very pale malt, perhaps some oats, and just a hint of sime leafy green notes in the background. Very colourful aroma.

Palate: The beer greets the palate with maybe the juiciest profile I've ever seen. There's some malt sweetness, but it's balanced in such a way that it seems like it's cominf from the hops instead. Pair that with a touch of hop acidity, and a big blast of white grape, horned melon, papaya, grapefruit, and a very exotic tropical fruitiness, and the beer really takes on a juice-like dynamic. I'm almost wondering if there's some NZ hops in here. There's a distinct white wine grape note, and with the horned melon, unripe fruit rind, and green grassy notes, it really reminds me of some Kiwi varietals. The sweetness dries out very quickly - pushed aside by an Ekuanot-like leafy note which lingers into the finish along with that unripe fruit rind and grassy note - just mildly bitter, but more tannic than anything.

Mouthfeel/Body: There is definitely that defining New England-style softness, but the beer is not heavy or cloying in any way. Medium-bodied, crisp for 7.5% ABV, no stickiness, and dries our my very nicely. Effervescence is right where it should be.

Overall: It's definitely a unique beer. The hop profile is most unusual, and I cannot seem to fully grasp it. Definitely not your everyday Citra/Simcoe/Mosaic setup. A colourful and well-made New England IPA all the way from Colorado.

Hazy and opaque yellow body; peach colored; incredibly dense and creamy white head. Smell of dried peach and pear; a little bit of citrus; funky, weird indescribable fruit-like smell in the background. Mellow sweetness to the taste; musk melon and pear; nice and subtle hop bitterness builds up from midpoint and well into the finish. Heavy body; smooth and creamy; a touch of alcohol dryness.

This is one of the more interesting double dry hopped hazy beers I've experienced. It's not super juicy, not super fruity or citrusy, and not super dry and harsh. There is a nice balance throughout with just a bit of weakness in the aroma, but everything else is top-notch.