Hurricane Kitty
Keegan Ales

great hoppy ipa slightly on the sweet side very enjoyable

 

A growler of Hurricane Kitty was purchased at "Brickhouse" in Patchogue in May, 2020. The ale at refrigerator temperature was poured into a simple glass. The brew is medium amber. There was minimal carbonatiion and almost no head. The growler's low carbonation is OK to me. I would expect more carbonation in the bottled ale. The flavor is a nice balance of roasted malt and traditional hops. The aftertaste is mostly a good bitterness. I would describe Hurricane Kitty as a hoppy amber ale that leans toward a English special bitter.

A bottle of Hurricane Kitty was purchased in May, 2020. It was cooled and poured into a glass in early August. I think this bottled version emphasizes malt a bit more than the growler. (The growler might have been brewed at the Brickhouse?)

 

 

 

 

 

Wotta great Commercial Description! I had remarked, on Veterans' Day 2016, that I missed getting underway as a sailor & my friend mentioned taking ferries. I took a field trip up to Port Jefferson, NY to ride the ferry to Bridgeport, CT for a pair of AHL games & I was glad that I did. I always build in additional time since I am relegated (generally) to public transit, but I can imagine that feeling of cutting it close/running late. This one came to me courtesy of my local/in-person trader, tone77, who is always on-time!

From the bottle: "The Hudson Valley's Brewery".

I began with a Pop! of the cap, followed by a slow, gentle pour since there was simply no impetus to do otherwise. An in-glass swirl raised three fingers of dense, foamy, rocky, tawny head with good retention that left behind some nice lacing in its wake. Color was Deep Amber/Light Copper to Copper (SRM = > 13, < 17) with NE-quality clarity. Nose smelled of pine & caramel & it was like a throwback to the early AIPAs that I actually enjoy(ed) more than the new ones with the Southern Hemisphere hops. Grapefruit is good, tropical fruits is nice, but the cool mintiness of pine with a solid caramel malt backbone really trips my trigger! Mmm. Mouthfeel was medium, but very soft, like a caress of my tongue after having been away for too long. The Kitty kneaded and prodded at my tongue until it finally felt comfortable enough to curl up and lay down. Ha! The taste was pine-resinous, knotty-woody and slightly caramel-sweet. lulling me into a cat nap. Man, but was this mellow! The bitterness was low, but the pine flavor was very cool and minty. Oh my. Looking over at the developing lacing made me think that perhaps it was time for a break after this one to allow the glass to soak. The finish brought an earthy maltiness to the mix as the initial caramel subsided while the cool pine mintiness persisted. It had a tea-like mellowness that made me very sleepy. I miss these kinds of AIPAs & I was glad for the opportunity to have this one.

Look is a beautifully clear, dark amber. Pours with a dense, off-white head about a finger thick that is slow to dissipate. Leaves plenty of lacing on the glass as it goes.

Smell is grassy and herbal upfront with some strong black cherry that becomes more obvious as it starts to warm up. Rich, but not particularly bright or pungent for an IPA

Taste is very hop-forward, but quickly shows tons of grapefruit with a bit of cherry and tobacco mixed in. Finish is long and herbal with some bitter orange peel as well.

Feel is crisp but not dramatically so with moderate carbonation. Substantial astringency, so it definitely grips a bit.

Overall, this is a solidly above-average ale that sells itself on some of the darker flavors that it brings to the front, as well as it's terrific coppery color in the glass. Fine session beer.

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has an amber/orange color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of caramel malts, citrus. Taste is the same, caramel malts up front, citrus at he finish, moderate bitterness. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall, a bit malty for the style, but an enjoyable beer nonetheless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A 330ml bottle picked up from New Beer Distributors in NYC. Pours a hazy copper brown colour with a beige head. Aromas of caramel, bread, citrus & malt. Tastes is heavy on the bread, as well as caramel, pine, plum, citrus & sweet malt, finishing with a mellow bitterness. Overall very unlike any other IPA I've had, but still very enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dark copper color. Nice balance.

 

 

 

 

Had on tap in a pint glass

Appearance was impressive, with a deep murky amber color and a short but dense foamy head.

Mild hoppy aroma with malt sweetness.

Taste has an assertive hop bitterness up front with a substantial sweetness from the malt bill. The taste of this beer is relatively complex.

Overall, not a bad IPA, but nothing exceptional. However, if you are interested in a more traditional IPA that is more on the bitter side than the aromatic, then this may be appealing.