The Axe
Axe & Arrow

 

 

This version goes to 8% ABV according to the label. There shouldn't be a big difference from earlier renditions. Concerns begin when there's no, emphasize on not any, evidence of a malty aroma when a pint can is cracked open. Another pseudo IPA, one without any appreciable barley malt, is already predicted. Sure enough, the emptying of the can into a clear glass liter mug produces a huge unattractive stark white head. As it recedes unevenly, there's no glass lacing. Predicted: There's no way this is going to be great, let alone good. No challenge to Heady Topper here. Once the foam has receded enough, the brew itself can be observed. It's a bright, yet somewhat hazy light copper-amber amber, with some small solid particles floating around inside the vessel. The aroma proves to be mildly hoppy in a muddled way. Of course, there's almost no body, since there's obviously a spelling of some barley malt by wheat. Of course, a lighter body helps drinking this quicker, much like a light beer, but the sacrifice is both in taste and character. This can be consumed quickly, which is understandable, since there's no flavor to savor. It's another easy drinking way to pound a pint with an eight percent ABV, but nothing more. Some mild dry hopping within a thin body and a larger than noticeable ABV may appeal to some, but others will want better.

Had a single can recently on a trip. No canned on date that I could decipher. My first brew from these guys, have never heard of them before. This was good, not great.