Ramstein Spin IPA
High Point Brewing Company

 

For a brewery that's know for it's German style of beer I was pleasantly surprised when owner Greg Zaccardi came out with this a few years back and asked him if he planned to distribute it to the masses. He has and am glad he did. This is a well crafted brew that is a favorite of mine. Have had it in the Tap Room as well as in the 16 oz. can. Semi hazy light amber in color with visible carbonation and creamy uneven wheat head that never quits. Citra hop aroma as well as flavor is present throughout. Balanced malt backbone and good structure with a mouth that is so well balanced. An overall excellent IPA that I look for when out on the hunt.

 

First, no beer has yet been consumed prior to this tasting, so nothing is being misread. The ABV listed on a pint can of this is 7%. Different recipe? Difference between canned and draft?
At the crack of the can, hopes ran high. Before the contents were poured into a clear glass Imperial pint mug, a pleasant sweet malt influenced hop aroma was contacted. Unfortunately, then came the pour. An immense billowy white head made getting this into the vessel problematic. The beer is just from a refrigerator and the pour was proper. This seemed over carbonated and the head indicates it's over starched by wheat. By now the head is receding unevenly, leaving a sticky and messy glass lacing. Once past the distracting head, the color is observed to be a murky orange-amber. Thankfully, the taste isn't bad. Relatively light bodied, but that doesn't prevent the introduction of a sweet backbone. As the taste lingers, it moves from mildly bitter to sharply bitter and dry at the finish. Rare is the brew so greatly separated between its high and low points. After things settled, the carbonation to the mouthfeel was fine. The wheat infusion didn't ruin the hoppiness, nor destroy the body. Taste still matters most and this one's good.