Juniper White IPA
Flying Dog Brewery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10th review for this beer, alright let's put a score on the board.

A: A hazy pale yellow in color with a very full just off white head.

S: Piney and a decent amount of citrus. In the very back there is a touch of a refreshing menthol type of evergreen smell that I would attribute to the juniper.

T: There's the juniper! Tastes like how a pine forest smells, but a pine forest with a pretty nice hop field next to it. Piney and resinous, with a hint of citrus backing it up. There is a nice sweetness to it, but it doesn;t detract from the hops. A decent finishing bitterness.

M: Medium light, with medium to high carbonation. It feels fairly dry.

O: Overall pretty tasty. I think the juniper adds to the hop flavor, but does not overshadow it.

 

 

Look: Nice golden orange, white head.

Smell: Not overly powerful, but interesting and pleasant. Citrus, lime, sweetness.

Taste: Citrusy hops at first, then a minty, floral, piney, gin-like sharpness, finishing on a zesty lime note. A slight berry sweetness is also present. The aftertaste definitely leaves you thinking you may have had some kind of gin & tonic. The wheat provides a very bright and light playing field for the rest of the flavors to intermingle.

Feel: It's somewhat light, but crisp, decently-carbonated.

Overall: Takes a few sips to get used to, but somehow it all works. Would make a fantastic beach beer. I like that the concept isn't done in a timid, half-assed way. The juniper berries and lime zest are fairly bold (especially the lime zest), yet they don't distract from the fact that you're still drinking a beer. I'm also a fan of gin & tonics, so this is up my alley. Refreshing while not-at-all bland.

 

White IPA's are a style I like. Lots of hoppy pine in the aroma. Taste doesn't follow as it's more bready/biscuity (or just malty) so not what I expected. Overall was ok.