Vineyard IPA
Muskoka Brewery

Pours slightly hazy and gold in colour, 1cm head. Sweet notes on the smell with bitter elements as well. I can definitely taste the white wine-like notes that stem from the use of Pinot Grigio grapes in the brewing process. On the higher side of the alcohol spectrum at 8%, but the alcohol is dangerously hidden
Oct 18 2021

 

473 mL can from the LCBO, one of three new brews in their IPA Mixer six-pack; best before Dec 6 2021 and served barely chilled.

Pours hazy and translucent, its body a light golden apricot hue; an inch of lumpy, foamy white head lingers for the better part of five minutes, steadily reduced to a creamy collar and thin cap. Lots of wavy lace deposition, too - looks great in the glass, and the aroma is similarly enticing. Grape must and white wine are a moderately prominent presence, with additional hints of nectarine, grainy wheat, white grapefruit and passion fruit.

Very fruity - there's stone fruit, grapefruit and passion fruit, with grape sugar sweetness serving as more of a background presence, at least for most of the sip. Hints of bready, wheaty malts underneath, with vinous suggestions of Pinot Grigio wine coming through towards the finish and into the aftertaste, which starts sweet and trends dry. On the fuller side of medium bodied, with low carbonation that weakly brushes against the surface of the tongue, resulting in a smooth, soft mouthfeel not unlike that of an NEIPA. All in all, a pleasant grape-oriented sipper - not overtly bitter or boozy, and far easier to gulp back than most DIPAs.

Final Grade: 3.97, a B+. Muskoka's Vineyard IPA was a delightfully novel distraction from the ongoing parade of hoppy pale ales that blur together, coming and going from Ontario's beer shelves. Don't get me wrong, there are a few things that would absolutely improve this beer, but they'd only be adding to a sturdy foundation: the grape must is a natural complement for Nelson Sauvin hops, plus you can never go wrong with Citra - and that's in addition to the solid visuals and satisfyingly plush texture. Put this out as a single and I would buy this at least as often as I buy their Twice as Mad Tom.

473 ml can served into an oversize wine glass. Part of Muskoka's recent IPA 6 pack (which includes 3 brand new beers + Mad Tom+ Twice as Mad Tom for $21). This DIPA has Pinot Grigio grapes involved. Freshest by December 6, 2021.

Appearance - Pale yellowy gold color with peach highlights. Not turbid but definitely hazy. A finger plus of loose sparkling white head is poured and recedes fairly quick leaving some sparse curtain style lacing.

Smell - Lots of tropical notes initially, some grapefruit anda touch of mango but there is a grape-like quality hanging around in the background. Some wood, hints of lemon give a full and well rounded aroma. Something spicy as well in there.

Taste - Light and soft citrus flavor, some passionfruit esque bitterness, maybe a little lemon although softened by white grape as well. Bitterness is certainly there, but much more restrained. Hints of wood again and some earthiness. Quite flavorful and tasty with a subdued nature. Booze is definitely noticable.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with lighter carbonation, booziness is definitely there but shows more in the back of the throat rather than being hot all the way throught. Finish is fairly dry with lots of grape and dry white wine influences.

Overall - An interesting brew that I rather enjoyed, but due to the booziness not necessarily a brew I'm clamoring to get loads of. Maybe another can in a future 6 pack depending on how the other brews turn out, but at the very least the Vineyard IPA is a solid DIPA with some interesting things going on.