Staring At Clouds
Axe & Arrow

 

First to list it, the 8% ABV puts this into the Imperial IPA category, unless there's a better claim out there. A pint can of this couldn't be entirely emptied into a clear glass liter mug, albeit at room temperature, because of all of the foam. The foam receded quickly, without leaving much lacing in the glass. What's left, after a few minutes, is a scant off-white head and a dull, dark and dirty looking apricot-amber liquid. Like most oat and wheat ladened modern American IPAs, there's not much remarkable for the nose to report. Maybe a little hops that are maybe a little citrusy and maybe a little piney. There's also as much vague starchiness to inhale. As a progress report, this isn't close to being appealing. After a healthy first swallow, the taste factor, certainly the most important, comes into play. Initially it's the smoothness of the mouthfeel that is most readily noticeable. There's a modest dose of hops, maybe a little citrusy and maybe a little piney to taste, within a starchy medium that doesn't add much more flavor than some sweetness. Although it doesn't hit immediately, the most pronounced taste during the finish is alcohol. There's not much body, nor flavor, be it malty nor hoppy here. It's basically a low taste and nice mouthfeel way to pound an 8% ABV btew.