Harmider
Atelier VRAI

440 ml can, from Vinmonopolet Kvadrat. ABV is 9.5%. Opaque dirty yellow colour, huge white head. Aroma of papaya, guava, pineapple and mango. Flavour also of said fruits, some citrus too, a moderate piney and spicy bitterness in the finish. Noticeable alcohol.

Pours a hazy, bright orange coloration with a milky saturation on final pour and a huge, fluffy, lasting head. Smells of light biscuity malt and tropical/citrus hops, with notes of passion fruit and grapefruit, as well as a strong, floral potpourri note. Taste is a good balance of lighht biscuity malt and fruity, juicy, floral, woody, slightly resinous hops, with tropical and lighter citrus notes of passion fruit, mango, coconut, grapefruit and orange, as well as a distinct potpourri note and hints of cedar wood and pine. Finishes with a medium bitterness, major hop burn and some passion fruit, grapefruit and potpourri lingering in the aftertaste. Effervescent mouthfeel with a medium body and strong carbonation.

While this makes for quite a juicy New England IPA with a wide array of hop characteristics, the flavor profile is just not for me, reminding me once again that I don't like Talus hops because of those strong potpourri notes, while it's also slightly too boozy, overcarbonated and suffering from major hop burn, which seems to intensify upon final pour. I seriously can't remember the last time I had a beer with such major hop burn, which literally leaves a scratching sensation in your throat. Mouthfeel is also more effervescent and overcarbonated than soft and pillowy. Overall, I'm baffled by the highly positive reviews for this beer. While hop variety may be subjective, booziness, hop burn and mouthfeel are all major flaws here in my personal opinion. Honestly found this kinda difficult to finish.

One month old. Can to pint glass.

Look: Pours a full and very hazy yellow with a thick and foamy white head. Just a bit of lacing. A few floaters visible.

Smell: Piney but also somehow citrus fruity. Hoppy, sweet and dank.

Taste: Piney, grassy and herbal one the one side, fresh orange and mango on the other side. Sweet, zesty and bitter. Dry finish.

Feel: Very full. Very creamy. Also juicy. Low, but clearly present carbonation.

Overall: Fantastic beer. So full, so juicy, so punchy. Everything’s perfectly balanced and nothing’s overpowering. Very drinkable despite its high ABV. Possibly the best German IPA I‘ve had so far. Stunning.