7.4 % ABV. Bald Man Brewing, Eagan, MN.
Bald Man is the Eagan-based brewery whose gimmick is their infatuation with Classic Rock. I paid their location a visit in November of 2016, and there I had a Misty Mountain Hops IPA (Led Zeppelin), Dark Side of the Moon Porter (Pink Floyd), Young American Pale Ale (David Bowie), and Heart of Glass Blondie Ale (you can guess that one yourself). All of their fermenting tanks were named after rock heroes: Page, Hendrix, DeYoung. The only other beer of theirs here in the Nib is a double IPA named for a Queen song, Killer Queen.
So, when it comes to making a hazy IPA, as everyone must, the classic Hendrix tune "Purple Haze" would be a natural association, right? Except it's been taken, by Abita Brewing. So, they did their best to keep it purple and hazy, giving the label a "psycho-delic" look.
How's the beer, though?Lightly hazy, bright golden hued, capable cap of ivory foam on top.
In the nose: Soft and fruity. Pleasant, if unremarkable.
In the mouth: Modist hop buzz on the palate, sufficient "pillowy" mouthfeel, if that's what you need. But the combination of the parts is a bit of a muddle. Nothing shines in this one. Something in the malt flavor clings too hard to the palate, tasting almost like chocolate or caramel. Not quite what you want.
I finished the contents of the can, but I wasn't really enjoying this one. Just wasn't working for me. I didn't get hardly any of what they mention below. Maybe Belma and Citra just don't go together? Or is it something in the malts?
"Massively dry-hopped with a blend of Belma and Citra hops, this juicy and hazy IPA packs aromas of citrus and melon and tropical fruits."
No comments:
Post a Comment