Up next for me is beer #3 from the Extreme Beer Box: Single Cut's Continental Riot House. This is quite an interesting beer. Brewed with "passion fruit and starfruit terpenes" and labeled as a NEIPA, this, as others have noted, likely leans closer to "sour IPA" territory. Let's dig in. Look: Pours an opaque but attractive orange juice-like color with a decent-small foam head that dissipates over the next few minutes. It looks inviting despite being opaque. Smell: Right out of the can I got an initial wave of hops which made me understand why this is labeled an IPA, but this was soon drowned out by what I'm assuming is the terpenes. They come off as quite tropical yet tart. Definitely unlike any other beer I've smelled before. Not the most inviting aroma but interesting nonetheless. Taste: The taste follows the nose with more tropical flavors that are complemented by a crisp tartness. I'm not really detecting much that makes this an IPA so maybe all of the hop aromas were in that one initial whiff, but the flavors are unique and interesting. Finishes dry which works well as it invites additional sips. Feel: Mouthfeel is a little on the thin side with light to moderate carbonation. Overall: This was definitely an interesting beer that opened me up to a few new flavors that I've never really experienced before. While this isn't something I'd reach for again, I think it accomplishes its overall goal well of presenting unique flavors in an interesting package. I do agree that "sour IPA" is likely a better descriptor than NEIPA due to its tartness and dry finish.
I love sours and I love IPA's but this one just doesn't blend the two together very well. Even though this is not what they are going for, this is what came through. It's very tart, and honestly a bit harsh on the throat. I think this one could have been dialed back a little bit and probably would have been quite tasty. I give this one an overall 2.75/5
First beer from the box for me. Definitely did not get hops on this. Wonderful tropical fruit aromas. Poured like a NEIPA. Taste was very juicy - almost grapefruit juice tart finish. Overall was easily drinkable but not an IPA IMHO.
#3 out of the box. Not sure how to explain it , but this reminded me of Magic Hat’s #9 on steroids, negative malt.
1st beer from the box. Aroma has notes of passionfruit, flowers, bleach, and sex. Pours murky orange-ish yellow with a one finger off-white head that falls into a ring almost immediately. Taste has a moderate to high pithy bitterness, moderate tartness from the fruit and just a little sweetness, finishing dry. The passionfruit comes through fairly strong, as do the hops, revealing it as most definitely an IPA. Mouthfeel is simultaneously pulpy and slightly thin. Interesting take. 3.73/5
Poured at fridge temp. Pours a murky orange with white head. Nose is pine, mango, passionfruit, and vanilla. Definitely fruit forward. The taste is really interesting. The bitter pine/hoppy mixes nicely with a sweet fruit. A grapefruit peel taste dominates the back end. It's almost sour, but not an intense sour. Passionfruit, mango, vanilla, and tree sap. Really nice. I love this because it's really different from every other IPA I have tasted. Mouthfeel is medium bodied. Overall, a really fun experiment.
I'm really struggling with the strong aspirin bitterness in the finish on Continental Riot House. The aroma is inviting, bringing a mix of passionfruit, tropical fruit sensations and grapefruit pith but the flavor profile is disjointed, starting with some fruity sweet and bitter notes before turning in a sour direction. So far so good but then, in the finish, the aspirin kicks in. I have long been sensitive to bitter aspirin finishes in my IPAs and, finding it in this beer, it pushes me away from the enjoyment I had anticipated. Not what I was expecting from the label. As others have noted, I would have presented this as a sour IPA rather than a fruited IPA.
This matches my experience pretty closely as well. While I didn't find the sour component too overwhelming, the grapefruit and passion fruit blend just wasn't my cup of tea. I also didn't care for the finish, which I thought was short and medicinal (I agree with those who mentioned something of an aspirin flavor). An interesting beer, but not something I'd want to revisit any time soon.
This is my 2nd beer from the box, and experience was similar to others - this is more of a sour IPA than anything. There’s no discernible hop presence, but there’s LOADS of passion fruit and grapefruit rind that reminds me of ruby red grapefruit. I wouldn’t seek this out, but it was fun to drink.
SingleCut Beersmiths -- Continental Riot House Fruited India pale ale w/passionfruit & starfruit terpenes 6.7% ABV; pouring temperature: 45 °F; canning data: 01/?5/22 Source: BeerAdvocate Extreme Beer Box 3.83/5 rDev +0.5% look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75 Eye-appealing milky yellow body, bright and warm; relatively thin head, white and frothy. Initial smell is kind of off-putting yet opens up as it warms; develops into a tropical fruit mix, guava and orange. The taste exudes fresh citrus and pineapple; oh so slight malt presence in the background; tart and tangy. Medium-heavy body; very acidic and rough on the palate; juicy bite. The initial smell reminded me of rotted fruit, but it gave way to more pleasant sensations in short order. The taste reminds me of a orange juice / grapefruit blend, and actually very tasty. A very unique beer but not one I would go out of my way for again. --------------------- This is, I believe, the ninth beer I've tried from the box. It fits smack in the middle of the beers as far as what I like and don't like. It's also my third SingleCut beer. My overall rating pretty much lines up with the other two beers of theirs I've tried, both more traditional in style: Cut Out Bin (APA) - 3.78 and 18-Watt Session IPA (American IPA) - 3.83.
I was surprised by how thickly hazed this light sour poured out. Then the first taste "explained" its appearance, but still with much more softness than I would have expected from the description. I found that its flavor only got more enjoyable as I sipped through my pint, so while this brew isn't what I would typically choose it turned out to be far more interesting than I would have expected.
Box arrived today and this is the first one I opened. Pleasantly surprised. Taste exactly as described. Fruited IPA. I'm getting much more tart than sour as some others have described. Mouthfeel is quite pleasant compared to many sours in the market place. Definitely a brunch inspired beer. Good start.
Saved this one for last because I figured I wouldn't like it. Pours a murky light gold with a brief fizzy head. No lacing. Initial impression is tropical fruits, orange juice, and lemon. Quite tart. Mouthfeel is slightly astringent but refreshing. I'll sheepishly admit that I kind of enjoyed it. Not something that I'd revisit but not bad.
Best description I got is a hoppy mimosa? Another one that I'm not into but will recommend to others.
My first brew from the box despite receiving it early, prior to 11am on January 28. Why I’m just now getting to it is a long story for another time. I very much enjoyed this beer, my review is posted. And while no more than one at a time, here and there, I’d certainly look for it regularly if available.
I really loved this. I truly feel this beer deserves a better rating than what it currently is showing. It definitely has a sour IPA taste, but I thought the flavors in this one are truly unique to many IPAs I've ever had. Beautifully crafted and another solid beer from Singlecut. The flavor profile with these fruits are awesome and the lasting sour fruit on the palate is my favorite part.
