Apical Dominance
Russian River Brewing Company

 

Had this on draft at the OB noodle house in San Diego. Was listed as an IPA but I thought it was a pale ale on tasting. This may have influenced my perception. I would not have pegged this as a blond. Definitely a dryish, sharpish , grapefruity, hoppy beer.
I haven't come across this hop variety before and it's really good. It comes across with the dryness of a pale.

Color is pale golden and mouthfeal is smooth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

insanely impressive beer here, scored a single can at the brewery and drank it on the way back down to the city, wildly flavorful and distinct, an incredibly unique hop aroma and flavor that seems new to me, especially at this intensity. neat they chose a blonde for the base, i guess it keeps the grain interference to a minimum so these hops can really shine, but at the same time, this is strong for the style, hopped like an ipa or at least a pale, and sort of crosses into that range with some finishing bitterness too. the aroma is insane, apple blossom lotion, vanilla, and almost ripe red berries, its feminine and sexy, and is supported by more familiar clean citrus and melon notes, maybe light spruce too, just a tad of honey sweetness in the mix, and a very tidy ferment. the hops are super fragrant and start right away, wow. the flavor follows, insane how late the flavor climax is here. uniquely vanilla forward for a hop, not sure i have really tasted anything like it, and it peaks after i have already swallowed it. soft in the east coast ipa sense for awhile, some stone fruit, red apple, and jasmine also present, wildly interesting on the hop side, and light enough to drink i guess, although not all that minimal, sturdier than most blonde types anyway. bright and brand new, one of a kind, not to be missed!

 

Bottle poured into a Russian River Brewing Co pub glass

A: Pours golden yellow with a frothy of white head that settles to a firm layer and leaves plenty of thick lacing.

S: Vibrant citrus, soft tropical and stone fruit, floral notes, slight grassy herbal notes, crackery malt, and a little sweetness.

T: Bright citrus, pink grapefruit, orange, and lemon, floral, a little tropical and stone fruit, mango, peach, apricot, and passion fruit, slightly resinous grassy herbal undertones, crackery malt, and a little sweetness.

M: A touch on the lighter side of medium body, moderate carbonation

O: I'm not going to argue with Vinnie about this being a "hoppy blonde", I'd call it a pale ale, but... Whatever you call it, it's a damn good beer. Kind of an exercise in the beauty of simplicity and balance. The hops are allowed to shine without slapping your tongue around. Exactly the kind of well crafted beer you'd expect from Russian River.

This is a unique experience. It tastes fruity, yet creamy. Very good.

 

 

 

Bottled 7/28/21.