Smashin Passion
West LA Beer Co.

 

From a 32oz growler, filled at the brewery earlier this afternoon. Served in a willi becher glass.

Pours a thin-appearing, lightly hazed, pale yellow-gold with a scant finger of loose, bubbly froth. Retention is unremarkable but leaves a nice creamy collar and a thin curtain of persistent lacing.

Aroma is moderately sweet and leafy. Notes of mint, berries and perfumy flowers.

Taste is initially quite leafy and bitter, with tree leaves, mint, tea berry and soap. Gradually expands into something softer and juicier although it never sweetens, a sort of tart berry and slick coconut, like a LifeSavers flavor, if that makes sense.

Feel is juicy, slippery, about medium bodied but brightly carbonated enough that it feels maybe a little lighter. Easy-drinking, and I should know because, at this point, I’ve drunk rather a lot of it.

Overall, an enjoyable single-hopped IPA. I can’t recall having had anything hopped with Southern Passion before so it was a novelty if nothing else - talking with the brewer I had the impression that they got a good deal on the hops but were regretting having brewed quite so much of it. Regardless, it was a well-made, tasty beer which I enjoyed quite well.