Shared Spirit IPA
The Bold Monk Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

Poured from an undated can into a mason jar with a finger’s worth of pillowy head that crackles with carbonation. The color of hazy peach juice and totally opaque. Aromas of pine, pineapple, maybe a hint of raspberry.

When I poured the can all the way out there was some sediment that I’m guessing may have been hop powder as the finish is dry, chalky and somewhat unpleasant. It dies down a little as the beer sits, but it’s off putting to me personally. I’m going to pour my next can slowly and omit the last bit in the hopes of avoiding the sediment.

The beer has some nice qualities to it, I’d like to see it with a different hopping technique.

 

Appearance: Pours a sensibly hazed, lightly murky, straw-toned body with an inch of wholesome white foam.

Smell: Rustic raw grain goulash topped with hop notes smelling of passion fruit, mild melon, florals and citrus with an undercurrent of vanilla.

Taste: Soft, cushiony malts, a little bready but definitely embodies that coarse, raw vibe one finds these days, minus the occasional paste-like pitfall. Tropical, citrusy (minutely pithy), floral and subtly melony with a hint of vanilla cream. Medium bitterness. Blends its raw, grainy elements with the bitterness-tinged, lightly resinous hop qualities through the creamy yet reasonably crisp finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Noted creaminess to the mouthfeel from the inclusion of raw barley, wheat and/or oats.

Overall: Falls in step with the parade of, oh, whatever you wish to call them - contemporary, modern, straight-up-now IPA's. Some are trash, some excel, some are middle-of-the-road. This one's pretty solid.